From zero to living in Sweden
Written for students from Nepal. What I’d check first, what it costs, how the visa usually works, and what life looks like after you land.
Start here
Should you go? What to weigh
In terms of admission requirements, it's important to note that Sweden values diversity and appreciates the unique qualities that international students bring to their universities.
If you're planning to study abroad and you want to work while you're at it, the country you choose will shape almost everything, from how many hours you're allowed to work, to whether you even need a separate permit, to…
Lifestyle & environment there
Estimated monthly expat budget for a comfortable lifestyle is about $830 in Russia versus $2,030 in Sweden.
Estonia ranks well on safety, with low crime rates and political stability.
Malaysia ranks well in regional safety assessments, and major student cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang have modern infrastructure and large international communities.
Beyond academics, the student experience is marked by a vibrant campus life, modern facilities, proximity between living and learning spaces (especially on the Växjö campus), and easy accessibility via public transport…
Prepare to apply
Exams & entry requirements
- English 5 corresponds to at least IELTS 5.5 (no section below 5.0), TOEFL PBT 530 (written test 4.0), TOEFL iBT 72 (written test 17), Cambridge FCE grade A-C, Pearson PTE Academic 47.
- English 6 corresponds to at least IELTS 6.5 (no section below 5.5), TOEFL PBT 575 (written test 4.5), TOEFL iBT 90 (written test 20), Cambridge CAE, Pearson PTE Academic 62 (writing 61).
- English 7 corresponds to at least IELTS 7.0 (no section below 6.0), TOEFL PBT 600 (written test 4.5), TOEFL iBT 100 (written test 20), Cambridge CPE, Pearson PTE Academic 68 (writing 61).
- Most Swedish universities require English test scores at English 6 level for Master's programmes, e.g. IELTS 6.5 overall (no section below 5.5) and TOEFL iBT 90 overall (20 in written test).
Study options & tuition
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs | 17,000 eur – 1,100 eur | Tuition for non-EU undergraduates ranges from 7,000 to 17,000 euros per year depending on the institution and program. |
| Tuition | SEK 80000 – SEK 295000 | Non-EU and non-EEA students pay tuition fees ranging from SEK 80,000 to SEK 295,000 per year |
| Visa fee | SGD 8.10 – SGD 10.10 | Undergraduate Concession Card application fee is SGD 8.10 without postage or SGD 10.10 with postage. |
- Undergraduate Concession Card holders in Singapore can purchase monthly concession passes for unlimited travel on train and/or basic bus services.
College options
Linnaeus University
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Scholarships
- University tuition-fee waivers: KTH, Lund, Uppsala, Chalmers, and most others offer partial or full fee waivers for strong fee-paying applicants.
Money & visa
Cost of going (fees, flights, first year)
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost detail | SEK 3000-8000 – SEK 1000-3000 | Initial setup expenses include furniture SEK 3,000-8,000, kitchen equipment SEK 1,000-3,000, winter clothing SEK 2,000-5,000, bicycle SEK 500-2,000. |
Visa, funds & must-knows
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs | SEK 9450 per month – SEK 13000 per month | From 2025, students must demonstrate SEK 9,450 per month to cover living costs for Sweden student visa; some sources recommend showing about SEK 13,000 per month for comfort. |
| Proof of funds | SEK 10,656 per month | The proof of funds for a Sweden student visa is a monthly maintenance amount the applicant must hold in personal bank assets, at least SEK 10,656 per month in 2026. |
| Part-time work | 14.15 EUR | The national minimum wage is €14.15 EUR per hour (for age 20 and above), and student visa approval rates sit at 95-97% for applicants with complete documentation. |
- Swedish Migration Agency requires proof of funds of SEK 9,450 monthly for student visa approval.
- Minimum English requirement for Sweden study: IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall score
- Jönköping University requires IELTS 6.5 overall (no section below 5.5) or TOEFL iBT 90 overall (20 in written test) for Master's programmes.
Step-by-step process
- 01
Submit all information to the Swedish embassy or consulate or visa application centre, VFS Global
- 02
SGD 8.10 – SGD 10.10
If you are applying for a study visa, you can pay the Schengen Visa application fee of €80 at the VFS Global Centre.
- 03
The study visa application is a Schengen visa application and mirrors the Schengen visa process.
- 04
The student visa approval rate sits around 83-90%, and the process is straightforward through the online ImmiAccount system.
Life after you land
Cost of living
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs | $1,000 to $4,000 – $3,000 to $8,000 | Tuition at public universities ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 per year, and private universities offering degrees in partnership with UK and Australian institutions charge $3,000 to $8,000 per year. |
| Cost detail | SEK 16 – SEK 28.96 | Groceries prices include milk (1L) at SEK 16, bread (500g) at SEK 28.96, chicken fillets (1kg) at SEK 118.96, and apples (1kg) at SEK 30. |
| Housing / rent | 150 kWh – 300 kWh | Electricity consumption in Växjö student apartments typically ranges from 150 to 300 kWh per month, costing approximately 300 to 700 kr monthly, depending on apartment size and whether heating is… |
| Part-time work | 26,000 eur – 1,100 eur | Non-EU students pay between 80,000 and 295,000 SEK per year (roughly 7,000 to 26,000 euros), and monthly living costs average around 8,000 to 12,000 SEK (700 to 1,100 euros). |
- Indian students should budget between 6,000-14,000 SEK per month (₹56,000-₹1.3 Lakh), with accommodation being the largest expense at 2,500-10,000 SEK monthly.
Housing
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Housing / rent | NPR 9477 – NPR 13163 | Rental car and fuel cost between NPR 9,477 and NPR 13,163 per day for 2 people in Sweden. |
| Living costs | SEK 8500-10500 – SEK 3500-8000 | Lund average monthly budget is SEK 8,500-10,500; student housing costs range from SEK 3,500-8,000. |
- Student accommodation costs about SEK 3,500 to SEK 6,000 per month; private rentals in Stockholm can reach SEK 9,000 or more per month
Health cover
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| OSHC / health | $100–$200 | Private expat health insurance averages $100–$200 monthly and covers dental, vision, and international treatments. |
- The health insurance premium in Sweden depends on the policy type, ranging from 197–310 SEK (₹1,840–2,900) per day.
Work while studying
| What | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time work | $23.15 – 12.50 eur | The minimum wage is NZ$23.15 per hour (approximately 12.50 euros), which means a student working 25 hours per week can earn around NZ$578 per week before tax. |
| Housing / rent | $22,000 – $35,000 | Tuition for international students ranges from NZ$22,000 to NZ$35,000 per year depending on the program, and monthly living costs average NZ$1,200 to NZ$1,800. |
- Tuition at public universities ranges from 1,000 to 7,000 euros per year for non-EU students, and monthly living costs in cities like Porto, Braga, and Coimbra average 600 to 900 euros.
First weeks & settling in
After graduation, international graduates can apply for an Orientation Year visa, which gives you 12 months to find a job and transition to a work permit.
Ready to start your Sweden study journey? AdmitX guides Indian students through every stage of their study abroad application, from university selection to settling into Swedish student life.
Extra notes
More useful notes
Monthly budget estimates for a single person in Malmö: frugal USD 1,050, comfortable USD 1,150, western expat USD 1,302
Rent prices in Vaxjo depend on the area. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is $864, compared to $688 outside the centre.
Dining out costs include an inexpensive meal at about SEK 135, a mid-range meal for two at about SEK 800, and a McDonald's combo meal at about SEK 101.62.
Rules and fees change. Confirm the latest numbers on official sites before you apply.