Sweden

Sweden is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe, bordered by Norway and Finland. It is the third largest country in the European Union by area, with a population of about 9.5 million. So what does Sweden have to offer an international student?

Studying in Sweden is different from studying in other countries because Swedish universities have an open climate with a strong focus on group work. The Swedish education system focuses more on your academic interests than pushing you to achieve a grade. Swedish universities work to prepare you for a successful future; the job market values ambitious, innovative, and perceptive team players, so Swedish universities attempt to instill these qualities in their students. Degree programs in Sweden offer students the opportunity to mix study and practical work, so that they have first-hand experience in their field when they graduate and enter the job market.

The education system in Sweden is student-centric. Relationships between students and teachers are relaxed and informal; as a student in Sweden, you will be expected to address your teachers by their first names. Swedish universities prize personal initiative and independent thinking; if you choose to study in Sweden, you will be expected and required to take an active role and contribute with your opinions and ideas in lectures, seminars, and group discussions. This will give you the opportunity to develop your individual strengths and cultivate you academic abilities.

Why Study in Sweden ?

1. Banish rote learning forever.

If you’re 100% allergic to rote learning, you may be interested to learn that Sweden – home of the GPS, Nobel Prize and Daim chocolate – is partial to a bit of disruptive pedagogy… In a concerted effort to train the planet’s future problem solvers and world leaders, Swedish schools and universities encourage students to think creatively about pressing issues, in informal non-hierarchical classrooms with a strong emphasis on holistic thinking and sustainability.

If you’re concerned about how this approach translates into global reputation, the answer is pretty well. Sweden comes 14^th in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings, and eight Swedish universities feature among the global top 300 in the latest QS World University Rankings®.     

2. Protect the environment and defend sustainability.

The most sustainable country in the world with the highest percentage of renewable energy in the EU, Sweden is a great study abroad destination for students interested in sustainable energy and environmental conservation. Sustainability is at the heart of Swedish customs and values – a fact that accords well with its stunning natural landscapes – including mountains, beaches, nature reserves and parks.

3. Attend a terrific university, with a scholarship.

In order to attract and support talented students from around the world, the Sweden Institute, as well as a number of other top Swedish universities, offers scholarships to international students on the basis of nationality, merit and economic background.

4. Be yourself!

The stats don’t lie. The Swedes are a young, multi-cultural urban lot. Of the country’s 9.9 million, 85% live in large cosmopolitan cities (mostly Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, Uppsala and Lund), and about two million are under 18!

The most equal country in the world according to Business Insider, and known for being ahead of the curve on LGBTQ rights, Sweden is famous for its commitment to diversity. Almost 15% of the Swedish population are first-generation immigrants, while one in five Swedish children has relatives from another country.

What does this mean for you? If you study in Sweden, you’ll benefit from an inclusive multicultural environment and the sense of being liked just as you are, Bridget..

5. Learn Swedish. Watch Bergman films without subtitles. Brag about it.

While you may not be required to speak fluent Swedish in order to live or study in Sweden, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to pick up a new language and increase your employability.  

While most people will struggle for a fair while before being able to watch Scenes From a Marriage without subtitles, studying in Sweden could certainly help… Many Swedish universities in fact offer international students a chance to pursue part-time Swedish language courses during their studies, but you could start learning even earlier either online or by signing up on a summer course. Find out more here.