Pre-arrival information for international students
As an international student you need to prepare for living in Sweden by arranging housing, insurance, a residence permit and more.
Residence permit
Students from countries outside the EU/EEA
In general, all students from countries outside the EU/EEA need to have a residence permit for studies during a period longer than three months at a university or college in Sweden. For Swiss citizens, there is a simplied process to apply for the residence permit for studies.
When admitted, and the fee has been paid, apply for your Swedish visa as soon as possible, at the nearest Swedish Embassy or Consulate.
Application forms are available at the Swedish Embassy/Consulate or from the website of the Swedish Migration Board, www.migrationsverket.se External link.
Applications for residence permits are processed by the Swedish Migration Board.
Students from EU/EEA countries
If you work, study or have sufficient means to support yourself, you automatically have right of residence in Sweden and therefore need not register with or apply for a residence permit at the Swedish Migration Agency.
Insurance and housing
Bachelors or master students
- Insurance bachelors students or master students Opens in new window.
More information about insurance for bachelors or master students - Housing bachelors or master students Opens in new window.
More information about housing for bachelors or master students
Erasmus mundus student
- Insurance Erasmus Mundus students Opens in new window.
More information about insurance for Erasmus Mundus students - Housing Erasmus Mundus students Opens in new window.
More information about housing for Erasmus Mundus students
Single subject courses
- Insurance single subject course students Opens in new window.
More information about insurance for single subject course students - Housing single subject course students Opens in new window.
More information about housing for single subject course students
General Information
Climate
Winters in northern Sweden are rather cold, with lot of snow. Summers are usually relatively warm. In autumn and spring there is occasional rain. Average temperature in Lulea in winter is about -15°C and in summer +18°C. The short but spectacular spring and autumn help to counterbalance the effect of the winter. During the summer it never gets dark, and the sun does not set at all for some time. During the darkest weeks of winter there are four hours of full day-light.
There are good opportunities for winter sports such as ice-skating, ice-hockey or cross-country skiing.
Clothing
Since the weather is very cold you should bring supplies of warm clothing such as coats, sweaters, warm socks, long underwear etc. You will also need at least one pair of comfortable and warm boots or walking shoes as well as casual shoes.
You will find that Swedish students dress more formally for student occasions and events. If you would like to attend these events you should bring something more formal to wear, like a suit or a dress.
Work opportunities
EU/EEA citizens have the right to work in Sweden without a work and residence permit.
As a non EU/EEA citizen you have the right to work as long as you have your student visa.
However, it can be difficult to find a job, knowledge of the Swedish language is essential.
Estimated personal expenses
What kind of living expenses budget should you plan for?
Food | 3500 SEK/month |
Accommodation | 4000 SEK/month |
Course literature | 800 SEK/month |
Telephone, newspapers etc | 400 SEK/month |
Local travel | 300 SEK/month |
Medical and personal care | 200 SEK/month |
Clothes, hobbies and amusements | 800 SEK/month |
TOTAL | app. 10000 SEK/month |
- Study in Sweden External link, opens in new window.
- The Swedish council fo higher education External link, opens in new window.
- Swedish institute External link, opens in new window.
- The Swedish migration board External link, opens in new window.
- County of administrative board of Norrbotten External link, opens in new window.
- City of Kiruna External link, opens in new window.
- City of Luleå External link, opens in new window.
- City of Piteå External link, opens in new window.
- City of Skellefteå External link, opens in new window.
- Academic calendar
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