Studying Communication in Sweden

Are you thinking about studying Communication in Sweden? Well, you have come to the right place. Jazmin and I are both studying communication at two different universities! We wrote this blog to share our experiences and tips to help you make the best choice for your future.

Why did we choose to study communication?

Jazmin

I’m pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Media Studies at Lund University in Sweden, having recently moved here from Peru to start the program this autumn. Lund was my top choice – it’s one of the most prestigious universities, and its Communication programme ranks in the Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by subject. Pretty impressive, right? 💪

My background is in Marketing, but I wanted to deepen my theoretical understanding and open the door to media research. I have to say that what drew me most to Lund was its research-led approach, particularly because it’s known for excellence in this area.

I’ve also been passionate about understanding important social issues through the power of media, and I knew this program would give me the tools to explore this. Just two months in, I can already see I made a good choice. My first course, Media and Health, has helped me understand the role of media in shaping our perceptions of health issues. 👀 If you’re curious about how the media influences society on critical matters, this communication programme might be worth considering!

Annamaria

I’m doing a Master’s in Communication at the University of Gothenburg. It’s located in the second-largest Swedish city. 🏘️ I started just this August and I have two more years to go. This programme was interesting for me because it is open to all backgrounds which also makes it pretty competitive. Luckily, I managed to get in.

It is the perfect way for me to combine my background in biomedicine with something more creative. You can read more about why I decided to study communication in my previous blog post but the general plan is to build a career within health communication and bring science closer to people. 🔬

How are the programmes structured?

Master’s in Communication and Media Studies at Lund University

Master’s programmes in Sweden run for either 1 or 2 years, and I went for the full 2-year, full-time adventure! That means 40 hours a week dedicated to a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops, and the uniquely Swedish “self-directed study” – something I’m learning is a major part of the student experience here.

Wondering about the structure? Here’s the breakdown:

• Semester 1: Theory Courses
• Semester 2: Methodology Courses
• Semester 3: Internship, Study Abroad, or Elective Courses
• Semester 4: Thesis Project

The first year is packed with courses like Media and Health, Media and Political Engagement, Digital Media Research, and Media and Communication Methodology. These set a solid foundation for what’s to come.

Then, in the second year, things get interesting. You can choose an internship, study abroad at a partner university, or stay at Lund and dive into advanced courses in the department. I love the flexibility here – it lets you tailor the program to your own interests and career goals. I’m still deciding on my path, but the options are exciting!

Master in Communication at the University of Gothenburg

My Master’s is also a 2-year programme structured in basically the same way as the one in Lund. In the first year, you get to dive into various communication concepts. Courses include Theories of Communication, Organisational Communication, Strategic Communication, Social Media and Society, and more. You usually take 4 courses per semester. 

In the second year, you get to choose elective courses, study abroad, or do an internship at a company of your choice. The internship is almost 6 months long and often you get paid for it in Sweden.💸I am hoping to find an internship in a health communication agency to get a real hands-on experience within the field. After the internship, there is a 30-credit thesis work. Sounds a bit scary now but hopefully, we’ll be better prepared then. 

Perks to studying communication in Sweden

Studying Communication in Sweden comes with some unique perks! Here’s what we’ve discovered so far:

Mentoring

Here’s something new I learned in Sweden – you get a built-in support system! In your first year, some second-year students are there to help you out. Whether you’re wrestling with readings or just need someone to talk through the theories with, they’ve got your back. 🤝
Each week, they organize meetups to chat about different topics and, of course, enjoy a fika (that’s coffee and snacks, Swedish-style). So, if you’re thinking about joining this programme, know that you’ll always have a friendly face and a helping hand along the way!
And the best part? In your second year, you get the chance to pay it forward and become a mentor yourself. Isn’t that great?

The entire program is like a research toolkit, giving you all the essentials to get hands-on with real academic work. From the first course, you’ll jump right into writing essays to show that you’re picking up the theory, which also gives you a chance to practice for the big one: your thesis! One of the coolest parts? You’ll learn how to do a peer review – basically, reading a classmate’s work and giving them tips to make their essay stronger. It’s such a fun, interactive way to learn, and it really helps you see how to improve your own writing, too.
By the end, you’ll be ready for whatever comes next, whether that’s diving into academia or even aiming for a PhD someday. 👩‍🎓

Group work

You get to do a lot of group work with your classmates in the form of presentations, seminars, essays, and more. Group work is a great way to learn through collaboration. The environment is usually very international, so it doesn’t only make the work more enjoyable but it also allows you to get to know people from all over the world. 🌍 I always loved learning more about other people’s cultures and their life experiences. 

Internship

Internship (whether in Sweden or abroad) is a perfect way to get real-life experience during your studies. You get to personalise the programme based on what internship you choose and at the same time, you get credits for it.

Work-life balance

Studying in Sweden teaches you to also appreciate the free time that you have as a student. Although diving deep into courses can sometimes be exhausting, there is a big emphasis on taking a break from your studies and exploring other interests or hanging out with your new international friends. So don’t be afraid, make a cup of coffee ☕, buy the cinnamon bun, and enjoy a simple cosy fika session in between your studies.  

Where else can you study communication in Sweden?

These two universities are wonderful places to study communication. But there are many more that offer Master’s programmes in Communication. Although the syllabi are typically quite similar since the universities want to maintain equal educational standards, the focus of the studies may slightly differ. Some universities even offer 1-year programmes, which could be a way to speed up your education. So make sure to explore your options.