Everything you Need to Know to Apply to Study in Sweden

Applications for autumn 2026 are now open on Universityadmissions.se! Are you still deciding whether to apply, or feeling unsure because you don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! Here’s everything you need to know to make your Swedish university dream come true. I still remember how excited (and nervous!) I was when I started my own application, so I hope this guide helps you feel more confident and less anxious.

🌟 The Basics: How the Application System Works?

The Swedish system is one of the easiest in the world (and if you ever try applying elsewhere, you’ll agree with me!). You don’t need to submit separate applications for each university. Instead, there’s one central platform where you can apply to all Swedish universities: universityadmissions.se.
You can apply for up to four master’s programmes (or eight bachelor’s) in one go. Nice, right?
Here are the key dates to keep in mind:

• Application opens: October 16 (Today!)
• Application deadline: January 15 (also the deadline to rank your programmes)
• Document submission & application fee deadline: February 2

💡 Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to upload your documents, the servers can get really busy!

📂 What You’ll Need to Prepare

The required documents depend on the programmes you’re applying for, but the basics are usually:

• 🎓 Degree certificate (translated into English if needed)
• 📚 Transcripts of records (also translated into English if needed)
• 💑 CV (Curriculum Vitae)
• 🌐 Proof of English proficiency (if your native language isn’t English)

These are documents most of us already have or can easily request from our universities. However, if your documents are not in English, start early! Translations can take time. In my case, all my documents were in Spanish, and the translation process took around 15 days.

Another key step is the English test. You need to book a date, prepare, and make sure you meet your programme’s requirements. I remember applying in October and taking my IELTS exam in November, hoping to reach the minimum score (6.5 for my programme). My advice: take your English exam as early as possible, every master’s programme has different score requirements.

Some universities may also ask for additional documents:

• ✉️ Letters of recommendation
• 📝 Motivation letter / Statement of Purpose

In my case, all four of my programmes required a motivation letter, but none asked for recommendation letters.

💬 Pro tip: Always double-check each university’s specific requirements, some may ask for particular templates or even portfolio samples.

💰 Application Fees and Scholarships

If you’re not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you’ll need to pay an application fee of 900 SEK. While this fee isn’t too high, tuition fees can be expensive depending on your perspective and where you’re from. Personally, I found them quite pricey. So scholarships were my best (and only) option to make my studies in Sweden possible.

Luckily, there are amazing opportunities available:

• Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship: Covers tuition, living costs, and travel.
• University-specific scholarships: Most universities have their own scholarships that can cover a large part of your tuition. For example, at Lund University, scholarships can cover up to 90% of tuition fees.

💡 Tip: Don’t let finances stop you and don’t be afraid to apply for scholarships! It’s just a bit more effort on top of what you’re already doing, and Sweden offers many opportunities for talented international students. One of them could be for you!

🌈 Jazmín’s Advice

I’ve been through this process, and I know how full of doubts and insecurities it can be. It’s a stressful journey, I won’t lie, but it’s completely worth it in the end.

My own preparation started almost a year before the applications opened. I began translating my documents and organizing everything for a different university at first, but that planning helped me a lot when I discovered the opportunities in Sweden. So, my best advice is: start early! It will save you a lot of stress later on.

But if you’ve just found out about this and are thinking, “Maybe I’ll wait for next year” Don’t! You still have time until February to submit your documents, and I know many people who started late and still made it. Go for it!

This could be your chance to learn, grow, and live in a country full of opportunities. My year in Sweden has been an incredible adventure and yours can be too.

Apply now! 💙🌟