If you want to study abroad, Sweden is a top choice for international students. It offers high-quality education, and tuition fees are low.
But, there are some important things you should know before deciding to study in Sweden. One of these is that English language proficiency is a requirement for most courses in Sweden.
1. English is the language of instruction
English is the language of instruction in most schools in Sweden and the country is widely regarded as one of the best countries for learning English. In fact, around 900 programmes are taught in English at Sweden universities and students from all over the world come to study here.
Many of these universities also offer admissions to international students without ielts. This is because ielts are not the only way to prove your proficiency in the English language.
If you do not have ielts you can still attend a Swedish university for international students. However, you need to meet some basic English requirements before applying for your course.
Most courses require a level of English 6 (which is equivalent to completed upper secondary school studies in Sweden). A few programmes ask for more. To find out the English language requirement for your chosen course, check the programme or course description.
2. High school qualification
Unlike most countries, students from Pakistan and India can study in Sweden without having to submit an English test score. This is due to the fact that many universities in Sweden accept students with a high school qualification as their university qualifications.
The high school qualification required for sweden university is equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course and not the university degree. It is also important to note that some universities only offer seats based on the high school qualification and not on the university qualification.
This is a general entry requirement for both undergraduate degrees and programmes as well as postgraduate courses. This requirement is often met through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent.
3. Credits from English speaking countries
Sweden uses the ECTS system for postgraduate study, with Masters degrees usually being worth 60 or 120 ECTS credits. This structure conforms to the Bologna Process, which means that your Swedish degree will be recognised worldwide.
Master’s programmes in Sweden are normally one or two years long. They consist of a number of courses, and often include a thesis.
In Sweden, most universities offer a wide range of English-language Masters degrees. This means that if your language skills are up to scratch, you can study your chosen subject in one of the most respected countries in Europe.
Sweden is a very welcoming country, with a large student population and many opportunities for scholarships. However, it is important to allow plenty of time for your application.
4. Degree from an English speaking country
If you don’t have a high school or university degree, but you still want to study in Sweden, there are many universities that offer programs taught entirely in English. This is called EMI, or English as a medium of instruction.
Countries where this is the primary language of instruction include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also common in Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden.
In these cases, students can earn a Swedish Kandidatexamen (BSc) equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree or British master’s degree. For example, an applicant from the United States with a BSc in engineering or computer science is considered for the English requirement without ielts, as long as it is recorded in their authority degree archive that English was their language of guidance.
In addition, there are many international students who have completed their secondary education in a country that is considered to be a ‘majority English speaking’, and this is exempted from the English language requirement.
