SWEDEN INTRODUCES TUITION FEES

THE SWEDISH GOVERNMENT HAS PRESENTED A BILL OUTLINING TUITION AND APPLICATION FEES FOR STUDENTS FROM NON-EU/EEA COUNTRIES FROM THE 2011/2012 ACADEMIC YEAR.

Up until now, Sweden has been one of the few countries in Europe that has not charged any types of fees. All students—regardless of nationality—have been funded by Swedish taxpayers. Global competition for talent is increasing sharply and the government wants Swedish universities to compete on equal terms with universities in other countries. In the last decade, the number of foreign students has more than tripled, totaling 36,000 in 2008/2009. The government now wants to reallocate some of this money to award higher education institutions that show particular excellence.

TUITION AND APPLICATION FEES

WILL STUDENTS WHO BEGIN TWO-YEAR STUDIES IN 2010 HAVE TO PAY FEES IN THEIR SECOND YEAR?
No, students who start a program before tuition fees are introduced will be able to complete their studies according to the rules of the old system.

HOW HIGH WILL TUITION FEES BE?

The fees will be set by the institutions themselves. They will cover the full cost of studies. Therefore the fee levels may vary depending on the type of course and institution, and in what part of Sweden the course is given. The most expensive master’s programs may cost more than SEK 1, 00,000 per year. Many other study programs are likely to cost considerably less.

WILL THERE BE APPLICATION FEES?

The government has decided that there will be application fees, starting with autumn semester 2011. The exact cost has not yet been decided. Details will be posted here when they become available.

WHEN WILL TUITION FEES NEED TO BE PAID?

When applying for a residence permit for studies before coming to Sweden, students need to have paid for the first semester of their studies, at minimum. As before, students need to show that they can support themselves during their stay in Sweden, see next question for details.

WORKING

CAN I WORK IN SWEDEN AFTER MY STUDIES ?

This depends very much on the subject you have studied. Students that have a job when their student permit expires can easily change this into a work permit. Also, there is no set quota for work permits for foreign citizens. See the current labor shortage list to find out which skills are in demand.