Cost of Studying in Sweden for Indian Students
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If you want to calculate the total expense, here is the real data for Sweden intake 2026. For Indian families, money is the biggest factor. Right now, the Tuition fees in Sweden for international students is usually between 12 Lakhs to 15 Lakhs INR per year for most Master degree. This is affordable compared to other countries. But you have to pay a one-time application fee of 900 SEK (approx ₹8,800) to apply.
The strict part is the visa rule. To get your permit, the Sweden student visa requirements say you must show you have SEK 10,584 per month (around ₹1 Lakh) in your account. This is for your food and stay. Even if you plan to find Part-time jobs in Sweden, you first need this money ready to show the government. In big cities like Stockholm, your rent alone can be 5,000 SEK. So, check this full cost breakdown to see if it fits your budget.
- Tuition Fees in Sweden 2026: Bachelors vs. Masters
- Popular Courses and Cost of Studying in Sweden
- Monthly Cost of Living in Sweden for Indian Students
- Pre-Arrival & One-Time Costs in Sweden
- How to Reduce Your Financial Burden in Sweden
- Popular Job Sectors in Sweden
Tuition Fees in Sweden 2026: Bachelors vs. Masters
When you are planning for higher education in Sweden, you will notice that the Tuition fees in Sweden depends more on your subject than just the degree level. Usually, the yearly cost for Bachelors programs in Sweden (which is 3 years) and Masters in Sweden (1 or 2 years) is quite similar if the field of study is same. For Indian students, popular courses like Engineering and IT are a little bit costly compared to Humanities or Social Science. You have to pay this fee in installments usually before each semester starts. Below is the estimated cost table for Sweden intake 2026 to help you plan your budget.
Cost of Studying in Sweden: Bachelors vs. Masters (Per Year)
| Field of Study | Program Level | Annual Fee (SEK) | Approx Annual Fee (INR)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities & Social Sciences | Bachelors / Masters | 80,000 – 110,000 SEK | INR 7.8 Lakh – INR 10.7 Lakh |
| Engineering, IT & Natural Sciences | Bachelors / Masters | 120,000 – 145,000 SEK | INR 11.7 Lakh – INR 14.1 Lakh |
| Architecture & Design | Bachelors / Masters | 190,000 – 295,000 SEK | INR 18.5 Lakh – INR 28.7 Lakh |
| Business & Management (Top Schools) | Masters / MBA | 100,000 – 300,000 SEK | INR 9.7 Lakh – INR 29.1 Lakh |
(Source: studyinsweden.se)
*Note: INR conversion is estimated based on rates around ₹9.7 per SEK. Exchange rates keeps changing.
Popular Courses and Cost of Studying in Sweden
Some of the popular courses for Indian students in Sweden are Engineering, Environmental Studies, Medicine, Architecture, Computer Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Humanities, Law, Public Health, Biology, Education & Training, Business Administration, Natural Sciences, Physics, and Technology. The cost of studying in the Sweden in a full-time course for the following courses per annum is as follows:
| Course |
Annual Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 10 L – 30 L |
|
| INR 7 L – 25 L |
|
| INR 10 L |
|
| INR 7 L – 25 L |
|
| INR 6 L – 25 L |
|
| INR 13 L – 38 L |
|
| INR 13 L – 38 L |
|
| INR 7 L |
Related Reads:
- MBA in Sweden
- Student Guide to Sweden
- Part-Time Work Options in Sweden
- Reasons for Rejection of Sweden Student Visa
Monthly Cost of Living in Sweden for Indian Students
When you calculate the Monthly living expenses in Sweden for Indian students, you must understand that your lifestyle decides everything. If you cook Indian food at home (dal-chawal, roti) and avoid eating in restaurants daily, you can save lot of money. The Cost of living in Sweden is high in big cities like Stockholm or Gothenburg, but cheaper in student towns like Borås or Skövde.
Also, for your student visa application in Sweden intake 2026, the migration agency has a strict rule. You must show proof that you have 10,584 SEK per month in your bank account. This is the minimum amount, but in reality, you might need a little more for winter clothes and travel. Below is the realistic monthly budget for an average Indian student living in Sweden.
Estimated Monthly Living Expenses (2026)
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (SEK) | Monthly Cost (INR)* |
|---|---|---|
| Student Accommodation (Rent) | 4,500 – 7,500 SEK | INR 43,600 – INR 72,700 |
| Food & Groceries (Cooking at home) | 2,500 – 3,500 SEK | INR 24,200 – INR 33,900 |
| Public Transport (Student Pass) | 550 – 950 SEK | INR 5,300 – INR 9,200 |
| Phone & Internet | 300 – 500 SEK | INR 2,900 – INR 4,800 |
| Miscellaneous (Leisure, Hygiene) | 1,500 – 2,000 SEK | INR 14,500 – INR 19,400 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED BUDGET | 9,350 – 14,450 SEK | INR 90,500 – INR 1.4 Lakh |
(Source: Swedish Migration Agency & Study in Sweden)
*Note: INR conversion is approximate (1 SEK ≈ ₹9.7 INR). Costs vary heavily depending on the city.
Pre-Arrival & One-Time Costs in Sweden
Before you even board your flight to Stockholm, you have to spend some significant money from India. Many students only calculate tuition and rent, but they forget the Pre-arrival costs for Sweden which can be heavy on your pocket. First, you have to pay the Sweden university application fee on the official website just to apply for courses. This is non-refundable even if you don't get seat. Then, after you get admission, you have to apply for the residence permit, which has its own Sweden student visa fees. Also, the Flight tickets from India to Sweden is a big expense. If you book late in August or September for study in Sweden, the ticket prices will be very high. You also need to do some Winter clothing shopping in India because buying jackets and boots in Sweden is very costly for students.
Estimated Pre-Arrival & One-Time Costs (2026)
| Expense Item | Cost (SEK/INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University Application Fee | 900 SEK (INR 8,730) | Paid to UniversityAdmissions.se (valid for up to 8 courses). |
| Residence Permit (Visa) Fee | 1,500 SEK (INR 14,550) | Mandatory fee paid to Swedish Migration Agency. |
| Flight Ticket (One-way) | INR 45,000 – INR 85,000 | Delhi/Mumbai to Stockholm (depends on booking time). |
| Initial Travel Insurance | INR 3,000 – INR 6,000 | Safety for travel and first few weeks in Sweden. |
| Winter Gear & Shopping | INR 15,000 – INR 25,000 | Jackets, thermal wear, and boots bought in India. |
| Housing Deposit (Refundable) | 4,000 – 6,000 SEK | Some student housing ask for 1-month rent in advance. |
(Source: Universityadmissions.se & Migrationsverket.se)
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How to Reduce Your Financial Burden in Sweden
Living in Sweden is costly, but if you plan smart, you can save lot of money. The best way is to apply for Scholarships in Sweden for Indian students like the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals. This is a fully funded scholarship that covers your 100% tuition fees and also gives you a monthly income of 12,000 SEK for living. It is very competitive, so apply early in February 2026.
For daily expenses, you must get the Mecenat card or Studentkortet. This student ID gives you big discounts on SJ trains, local buses, and even coffee shops. You can save almost 20-30% on travel monthly. Another secret is buying from Second-hand shops in Sweden like Myrorna or Sellpy. You can get winter jackets and boots for very cheap price instead of buying new costly brands.
Most Indian students also do Part-time jobs in Sweden to support themselves. You can work as food delivery rider (UberEats, Wolt), newspaper distributor, or cleaner. The average salary for students is around 120 – 140 SEK per hour. If you work 20 hours a week, you can earn approx 8,000 – 10,000 SEK, which is enough to pay your rent and food. But remember, studies are hard, so don't work too much.
Also Read:
| All about Post Study Work Permit in Sweden |
Popular Job Sectors in Sweden
Sweden is the global leader in terms of having a healthy job market, and it offers a high standard of living and strong workers' rights for both citizens and foreign nationals alike. For international students, remaining in the country after graduation is the most common way to secure a job. The second most popular way is to get a job is to apply to an MNC from your home country. Some of the popular job sectors in Sweden are:
- Business & Management
- Information Technology
- Teaching & Education
- Healthcare
- Nursing
- Architecture
- Tourism
Related Read:
Yes, honestly Sweden is expensive if you compare with India, especially for rent and food. You must have 10,584 SEK per month (approx ₹1 Lakh) just for living expenses and Tuition fees is around 12-14 Lakhs INR per year. But still, the total cost of education is lesser than USA or UK because you get free health benefits later.
Yes! Sweden is very flexible. If you have completed a Bachelor degree (like Engineering) in India where the medium was English, you usually get an IELTS exemption. You just need to show your college transcripts or a certificate saying your studies were in English. You don't need to write the exam again.
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No, education in Sweden is not free for international students. Only Swedish students can study for free in Sweden. International students will have to pay around INR 15 L – 25 L.