Stockholm University, founded in 1878, is one of Sweden’s largest universities, with its main campus at Frescati in the north of Stockholm, close to the Royal National City Park. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was 167th in the world and the fourth-highest-ranked university in Sweden. It’s known for the natural sciences, the social sciences, law, economics and environmental research.
Stockholm University offers several bachelor’s programmes and many master’s programmes in English, with fees that are lower than at many universities in Sweden. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Stockholm University’s own guidance and official Swedish government information.
1. Choose an English-taught bachelor’s programme
Stockholm University lists seven bachelor’s programmes taught in English, including International Business and Politics; Business, Ethics and Sustainability; International Political Science and Regional Studies; Latin American Studies; and Middle Eastern and North African Studies. Programmes that require Swedish, such as those including English studies for teachers, aren’t open to international students. In the course catalogue, choose “for international students” to see programmes that don’t require Swedish.
2. Apply through University Admissions in Sweden
You apply to Stockholm University, and to other Swedish universities, through the national website Universityadmissions.se, where you can rank several programmes in one application. For autumn 2027, the international round opens on 16 October 2026 and closes on 15 January 2027, and you must upload your documents and pay the SEK 900 application fee by 1 February 2027. Results are announced in April. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland should apply in this first round, because the second round doesn’t leave enough time for a residence permit. University Admissions: application fee.
3. Meet the entry requirements
You need to meet the general entry requirements, including English and mathematics, and any specific requirements for your programme, such as a higher level of mathematics for business programmes. Check the programme page and University Admissions’ guidance for your country before you apply.
4. Prove your English
For most bachelor’s and master’s programmes taught in English, you need the equivalent of the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. You can meet it through your school studies in many countries, or with a test such as IELTS Academic with an overall score of 6.5 and no section below 5.5 (IELTS General Training isn’t accepted). Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests. University Admissions: English requirements.
5. Make your application complete by 1 February
Upload certified copies of your school diploma and transcripts following University Admissions’ instructions for your country, and pay the application fee early. If something is missing, paying and uploading early gives University Admissions time to tell you before the deadline.
6. Look for funding
Stockholm University’s own scholarship scheme, and the Swedish Institute’s scholarships, are for master’s students from outside the EU/EEA who pay tuition fees, so bachelor’s students usually need to fund their studies themselves or find a scholarship in their home country. Stockholm University: costs, fees and scholarships.
7. Understand the fees
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don’t pay tuition fees. For other students, the fee is SEK 90,000 a year for the humanities, social sciences and law, and SEK 140,000 a year for the sciences, with some programmes priced in between. You pay in instalments before each semester starts.
8. Budget for life in Stockholm
Stockholm University suggests budgeting at least SEK 11,214 a month for living costs. Stockholm is Sweden’s most expensive city and student housing is in short supply, so start looking for accommodation as soon as you’re offered a place.
9. Pay your first instalment, then apply for a residence permit
EU/EEA citizens don’t need a permit to study in Sweden, and Swiss citizens apply for a residence permit for Swiss citizens. If you’re from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, your offer from Stockholm University is only final once you’ve paid your first tuition instalment, and the Swedish Migration Agency won’t approve your residence permit for studies until Stockholm University confirms the payment. You must also show that you can support yourself, with at least SEK 10,656 a month if you apply in 2026, and have comprehensive health insurance if your studies last less than a year. Apply as soon as you’ve paid, because processing can take time. Swedish Migration Agency: studies at higher education.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
The rules on working changed in 2026. If your residence permit for bachelor’s or master’s studies was granted on or after 11 June 2026, you can work a maximum of 15 hours a week, and working more can lead to your permit being withdrawn. There are exceptions for work that’s part of your education, such as an internship, and once you’ve completed the equivalent of two semesters you can work more for the rest of your permit. After you graduate, you can apply for a residence permit for up to one year to look for work or start a business, but you must apply before your student permit expires. Swedish Migration Agency: look for work after your studies.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Stockholm University?
Stockholm University offers over 100 programmes taught in English, most of them master’s programmes, and you apply in the same round through University Admissions. The Stockholm University Scholarship Scheme covers the whole tuition fee for some master’s students, but not living costs. PhD positions in Sweden are paid jobs, advertised by each department. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Apply to more than one university to give yourself options. Read our guides to Lund University, KTH, Uppsala University and Chalmers. Our guide to studying in Sweden explains how the Swedish system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Stockholm University’s official admissions, fee and scholarship pages, University Admissions in Sweden, the Swedish Migration Agency and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on Stockholm University’s education website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Stockholm University.