Top Public Universities in Sweden for International Students
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Are you thinking to study abroad in a cool country? Study in Sweden is becoming a dream for many students today. Sweden is a beautiful country in North Europe, famous for safe cities, nature and innovation. If you are searching for Top Public Universities in Sweden, you are at right place.
Many International Students choose to study in Sweden because the education quality is very high. The teachers are helpful and the class environment is very nice. Also, English language is spoken by almost 90% people there. You usually don't need to learn Swedish to study! Most of the MS in Sweden are fully taught in English.
One important thing is the cost of studying in Sweden. If you are from EU, the university is free. But if you are non-EU student, you have to pay Tuition fees at Sweden Universities. However, there are many Scholarships available that can cover your cost. Also, after finishing degree, Sweden gives you 1 year to find Job opportunities there.
In this post, we will share the list of best government universities. These colleges have good QS Ranking and modern campus facilities. Whether you like engineering, medicine or business, Sweden have great options for you. Let's check the list of Top Public Universities in Sweden for your future career.
- Why Study at a Public University in Sweden in 2026?
- Top 10 Public Universities in Sweden 2026: Rankings & Profiles
- Public Universities in Sweden: Tuition Fees & Scholarship Opportunities
- Cost of Living in Sweden for Indian Students
- How to Apply to Public Universities in Sweden?
- Public University in Sweden FAQs
Why Study at a Public University in Sweden in 2026?
Choosing the right country is hard, but studying in Sweden is a great choice for next year. Here are main reasons why students love Public University in Sweden.
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Global Rankings: The quality of study is top class. Did you know? 5 Swedish universities consistently rank in the global top 100 universities. This is a big achievement for a small country. When you study here, you get a degree that is respected everywhere.
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Innovation Hub: Sweden is famous for creating big companies. Brands like IKEA, Spotify, and AstraZeneca was born here. The public universities have strong industry links with these companies. This is good for students because they learn real skills and maybe get jobs easier.
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Sustainability & Lifestyle: Swedish people like to live simple and happy life. They call it "Lagom" lifestyle. This means having balance in everything.
Top 10 Public Universities in Sweden 2026: Rankings & Profiles
Here is the list of the Top 10 Public Universities in Sweden. These institutions are government-funded. We have selected them based on QS Ranking, student popularity, and career success. If you are an Indian student planning to study abroad, this list is your perfect starting point to find your dream college.
| Rank | University Name | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| =72 | Lund University | Lund | Research & Engineering |
| 78 | KTH Royal Institute of Technology | Stockholm | IT, Tech & Engineering |
| 93 | Uppsala University | Uppsala | Life Sciences & Humanities |
| =147 | Stockholm University | Stockholm | Business, Law & Science |
| 202 | University of Gothenburg | Gothenburg | Arts & Social Sciences |
| =310 | Linköping University | Linköping | Computer Science & Innovation |
| =401 | Umeå University | Umeå | Design & Northern Experience |
| 451+ | Luleå University of Technology | Luleå | Mining & Space Tech |
| N/A | Karolinska Institutet | Stockholm | Medicine & Health (World Class) |
| N/A | SLU (Agricultural Sciences) | Uppsala | Agriculture & Sustainability |
Lund University
Lund University is one of oldest and most famous college in North Europe. It has huge campus and offers many Master's programs in English. The city is full of students and life is very fun here. This university is favorite for Indians because of strong Engineering and research courses. There is a big Indian student community here (Lund India Students Association), so you never feel lonely. Also, the city is very safe and easy for new students to live.
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
KTH is known as "MIT of Sweden." It is the top technical university in country, located in Stockholm. It focuses only on technology and engineering subjects. KTH is number one choice for Indian students who like Computer Science, IT and Mechanical Engineering. The university has strong link with big companies like Ericsson. This makes it much easier for Indian graduates to find Jobs in Sweden after finishing the degree.
Uppsala University
Uppsala is the oldest public university in Sweden. It has very high reputation for research. The student life here is unique with many student clubs called "nations." Better for Indian Students: If you are Indian student looking for PhD opportunities in Sweden or research job, Uppsala is perfect. The Cost of living is little less than Stockholm. The university really values diversity and has many support systems for International students.
Stockholm University
Located in the capital city, this university is hub for business, science and law. It has modern campus inside a park. Mass Communication & Media, Engineering, IT & Software and Humanities & Social Sciences are some of the popular courses offered at this university for Indian students.
University of Gothenburg
It is a great choice for Indian students. To get University of Gothenburg admission you will need to show English proof (like TOEFL/IELTS), pay an application fee, and secure a student visa for Sweden after acceptance, with support available for the whole process. Engineering, Business & Management Studies, Science, Accounting & Commerce and Medicine & Health Sciences are the popular courses offered at University of Gothenburg for Indian students.
Linkoping University
Most students from India pick this public university in Sweden because it has many English-taught programs. You don't need to know Swedish to study here. The most popular subjects for Indians are Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Statistics. The general admission requirements include meeting the entry requirements and English language proficiency requirements. The Linkoping University accepts English Language exam scores such as IELTS, TOEFL and PTE as a proof.
Umea University
Situated in North Sweden, Umea is known for its world famous Design school. It offers unique experience close to nature and northern lights. Better for Indian Students: Even though weather is cold, people are very warm. Umeå is great for Indians who want to study Design or public health in peaceful place. The IKSU sport center here is one of biggest in Europe. It is good, low-stress place to focus on your studies.
Lulea University of Technology
This is the northernmost technical university in Scandinavia. It specializes in mining, civil engineering and space technology. Engineering, Business & Management Studies, Science, Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) and Animation are popular courses for Indian students. The first-year Lulea University of Technology tuition fee is around SEK 80,000 - 2,38,000 for 1st year UG courses.
Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska is the best medical university of the world. It selects the Nobel Prize winners in Medicine. It is located just outside Stockholm. It is one of the best medical public universities in Sweden. Candidates who want to study MBBS abroad at the cheapest cost can study in Karolinska Institutet. It offers powerful networking for future doctors, but admission is very hard to get.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
SLU focuses on everything related to nature: food, animals, forests and soil. It is world leader in sustainability and environment science. Better for Indian Students: With India focusing on Agriculture and green farming, degree from SLU is very valuable. It is perfect for Indian students from farming background who want to learn modern techniques. The skills you learn here are in high demand globally and back home in India.
Public Universities in Sweden: Tuition Fees & Scholarship Opportunities
If you are a student from outside EU/EEA (like from India, USA, or China), you must pay for university in Sweden. But don't worry! The Cost of education is reasonable compared to US or UK. Also, there are many Scholarship opportunities available in Sweden that can make your study almost free.
Below is the detailed list of Tuition fees for top universities in Sweden. We have also mentioned the scholarships you can apply for to reduce your financial burden.
Public Universities in Sweden: Fees
| University Name | Annual Tuition Fee (SEK)* | Approx. Annual Fee (EUR)** | Top Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lund University | 135,000 – 170,000 | €11,800 – €14,900 | Lund University Global Scholarship |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | 180,000 – 200,000 | €15,700 – €17,500 | KTH Scholarship (covers 100% fee) |
| Uppsala University | 100,000 – 145,000 | €8,700 – €12,700 | Uppsala University Global Scholarship |
| Stockholm University | 90,000 – 140,000 | €7,900 – €12,200 | Stockholm University Scholarship Scheme |
| University of Gothenburg | 100,000 – 150,000 | €8,700 – €13,100 | Axel Adler Scholarship |
| Linkoping University | 80,000 – 136,000 | €7,000 – €11,900 | LiU International Scholarship |
| Umeå University | 93,000 – 160,000 | €8,100 – €14,000 | Umeå University Scholarship |
| Luleå University of Technology | 120,000 – 150,000 | €10,500 – €13,100 | LTU Tuition Fee Waiver |
| Karolinska Institutet | 180,000 – 220,000 | €15,700 – €19,200 | KI Global Master's Scholarship |
| Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences | 105,000 – 160,000 | €9,200 – €14,000 | SLU Scholarship |
(Source: Official University Admissions Sweden websites & individual university fee pages)
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Cost of Living in Sweden for Indian Students
Going to foreign country is exciting but money is big tension. Sweden is expensive country compared to India, but it is not impossible to live there. As an Indian student, you need to plan your budget very carefully. The Cost of living in Sweden depends on which city you choose. Capital city Stockholm is very costly, while smaller student towns like Lund or Linköping are little cheaper.
Your biggest cost will be the room rent. Most students stay in "corridor rooms" (student hostel) because renting a private flat is very high price. Another main expense is Groceries. Eating in restaurants is very costly in Sweden! A simple dinner can cost 150-200 SEK (approx 1200-1600 INR). So, best way to save money is to cook your own Indian food at home. You can buy rice, dal and spices from supermarkets like Lidl or Willy:s which are budget-friendly.
Here is a rough list of how much money you need per month to live a normal life.
Monthly Expenses in Sweden for Students 2026
| Expense Type | Cost in SEK (approx) | Cost in INR (approx)* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (Rent) | 3,500 – 6,500 SEK | ₹28,000 – ₹52,000 | Student corridors are cheapest option. |
| Food & Groceries | 2,000 – 3,000 SEK | ₹16,000 – ₹24,000 | Only if you cook at home. |
| Public Transport | 550 – 980 SEK | ₹4,400 – ₹7,800 | Monthly pass for bus/metro (SL Card). |
| Phone & Internet | 200 – 350 SEK | ₹1,600 – ₹2,800 | Data pack and SIM card. |
| Books & Stationery | 400 – 750 SEK | ₹3,200 – ₹6,000 | Buy second-hand books to save money. |
| Misc & Fun | 1,000 – 1,500 SEK | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 | Gym, snacks or coffee (Fika) with friends. |
| Total Monthly Budget | 7,650 – 13,000 SEK | ₹61,200 – ₹1,04,000 | Average safe budget is ~10,000 SEK. |
*(Source: Study in Sweden Official Website & Numbeo Cost of Living Data. Conversion rate used: 1 SEK = 8 INR. Rates change every day.)
How to Apply to Public Universities in Sweden?
Applying for Higher education in Sweden is actually very simple. You do not need to apply to different colleges separately. There is one central website for all Public Universities in Sweden. This saves your time and confusion.
Here is the step-by-step guide to help you apply for Master's programs or Bachelor's degree for the Autumn 2026 intake.
Step 1: Find Your Course
First, you don't need to visit 10 different websites. Just go to universityadmissions.se. This is the official government site. You can search for all courses here. You are allowed to select up to 4 Master's programs in one application. Choose wisely!
Step 2: Check Requirements
Eligibility requirements to study at public universities in Sweden is first thing to check before applying for the course. Most important is the English Language Requirements. Usually, you need IELTS or TOEFL score.
Step 3: Create Account and Apply
Create an account on the website. Arrange your selected courses in order of preference (Rank 1 is your dream college). This ranking is very important because if you get seat in Rank 1, lower choices are deleted automatically.
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
If you are from non-EU country like India, you must pay an Application Fee of 900 SEK (approx 7,200 INR). This is one-time payment for all 4 choices. You must pay this before the deadline, otherwise they will not check your papers.
Step 5: Upload Documents
You have to upload scan copies of your documents. Do not send original papers by post!
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Passport copy (photo page).
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Degree Certificate and marksheets (Transcripts).
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English Test Score (IELTS/TOEFL).
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Statement of Purpose (SOP) and CV (if university asks).
Step 6: Wait for Results
The application deadline to study in Sweden is around January 15 and for this, the results with admission confirmation at public universities in Sweden come in April. Once you get the result you have to confirm your seat. Then you will proceed with fee payment and other processes.
We have written all the possible information you need for top 10 public universities in Sweden, their requirements, universities profile, how to apply. You can make a better decision now in selecting the best college to study in Sweden. Good Luck!
Public University in Sweden FAQs
Small colleges are money savers. Universities like Dalarna University offer courses starting from 80,000 SEK, which is very cheap for foreign students. You should choose these schools for affordable Master's programs to save your budget.
Not always. If you have completed your Bachelor's degree where the instruction language was English (like in India engineering colleges), you might get an IELTS exemption. You just need to show a certificate from your old college saying you studied in English. But checking specific requirements on universityadmissions.se is important.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.
Starting research
Shortlisting colleges
Exam preparation
SOP/LOR writing
Scholarship & finance
Visa application
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
For EU/EEA citizens, public universities are free. For Indian students tuition fee is mandatory. No matter you are studying UG or PG courses. Ranges from SEK 80,000 to SEK 140,000 per year. PhD programs are usually free for everyone and often provide a salary.