6 most affordable universities in Sweden for international students

Let’s face it: it is expensive to study in Sweden.

On average, the cost of living for a single person is around 26,742 Swedish krona (US$2,574) per month to live in what looks like a frosty utopia — and that does not include your rent and tuition fees.

Your cost of living also depends on the place you intend to study.

Take the capital city of Stockholm, for example. Monthly rent for a 45 square metre furnished studio in a normal area is US$1,028. Meanwhile, a full bachelor’s programme at KTH Royal Institute of Technology — Stockholm and Sweden’s best ranking university, according to QS World University Rankings 2025 — costs US$40,719.

In Malmö, prices go down. The monthly rent here for the same 45 square metre furnished studio in a normal area is US$599, and average tuition fees at Malmo University — one of two universities in the city — start from US$27,916 for a full bachelor’s programme.

Don’t be discouraged, though.

If you are on a tight budget, consider tuition-free universities.

International students from the European Economic Area (EEA), European Union (EU), and those with a permanent Swedish residence permit do not pay for tuition at Swedish universities. For those outside these countries, the tuition fee remains still far cheaper than tuition fees in the UK and US.

Note that all Swedish universities charge their applicants an application fee of 900 krona (US$87).

With a bit of digging, here are the best low-cost universities in Sweden that students outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can consider. Alternatively, check out the affordable options in the neighbouring countries of Norway and Finland. 

Rest assured, your university facilities will be warmer than that of Sweden’s iconic Ice Hotel. Source: AFP Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

The most affordable universities for international students to study in Sweden

Linköping University

Linköping University, more commonly known as LiU, is a public university with four campuses in three locations in southern Sweden. Two of the campuses are located in Linköping, one in the centre of Norrköping, and one just outside Stockholm.

The university has been named as one of the world’s 200 best universities in education, materials science, sociology and electrical and electronic engineering, according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. 

Here, students can choose from 30 international programmes in various subject areas. While the university does offer bachelor’s programmes, its main focus lies in master’s degrees that average two years long.

Those not from the EU, EEA, or Sweden will have to pay tuition fees that range between 80,000 to 136,0000 krona (approximately US$7,701 to US$13,091).

Uppsala University

When it comes to affordable universities in Sweden, Uppsala University ranks among the best. As one of the first Nordic universities, it is divided into three disciplines: humanities and social sciences, medicine and pharmacy, and science and technology. The university offers programmes from bachelor’s to master’s degrees. 

Thanks to their research-led teaching, you will experience the highest standards of intellectual rigour. Some of their graduates include 16 Nobel Prize laureates — eight of whom received prizes for discoveries made during their time at Uppsala University. 

Depending on the chosen programme, one semester or full-time study will cost students outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland between 50,000 to 72,500 krona (US$4,813 to US$6,979).

Stockholm School of Economics

Located in Stockholm’s central city district of Vasastaden, the Stockholm School of Economics is one of Europe’s leading business schools. Financial Times has even named it as the best business school in the Nordics and Scandinavia. 

Two bachelor’s programmes are offered fully in English: BSc in Business & Economics and BSc in Retail Management. Meanwhile, five of the school’s master’s programmes are delivered in English: finance, international business, accounting, valuation and financial management, business and management, and economics.

Generally, tuition fees are 120,000 krona (US$11,552) per year for a bachelor’s programme or 180,000 krona (US$17,327) for a master’s programme.  

Malmö University

Located in Malmö, Malmö University is one of the younger universities in Sweden. At its core, the university is characterised by a multidisciplinary, challenge-based approach to education, research, and collaboration.

Here, programmes often include internship elements and project work in close cooperation with regional authorities, local initiatives and international companies. As a global campus, they house 1,800 international students and deliver their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in English. Their best ranking programme, according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, is dentistry. 

An education at Malmo University will cost students outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland costs between 290,000 to 515,000 krona (US$27,916 to US$49,575) for an undergraduate programme. A one-year master’s goes for 95,000 to 260,000 krona (US$9,145 to US$25,028); a two-year master’s goes for 190,000 to 510,000 krona (US$18,290 to US$49,094).

Umeå University

The flagship university of northern Sweden, Umeå University covers research and education in medicine, science and technology, social sciences, arts and humanities, and educational sciences.

Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are delivered entirely in English. In 2023, international students from 137 universities across the globe responded to the International Student Barometer (ISB) survey during the autumn semester 2023; Umeå University placed first of all participating universities in the main categories of living, support, and overall satisfaction.

The tuition rates for degree programmes and full-time studies range from 93,000 to 364,500 krona (US$8,952 to US$35,088) per year, depending on the field of study.

When you study in Sweden’s northernmost point, you might even get a chance to see the Northern Lights. Source: AFP

Luleå University of Technology

The northernmost university of technology in Scandinavia offers Sweden’s only master’s programmes in space engineering and spacecraft design.

Luleå University of Technology offers a range of subjects through its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including engineering, urban planning, environmental geoscience, waste management, spacecraft design, wood technology, music performance and more.

The master’s programme costs approximately 280,000 krona (US$26,954).

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on September 12, 2024.