FAQ
What is the Swedish climate like?
Sweden has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.
There are not many countries where you can experience such distinctive seasonal changes. Many people probably picture of Sweden as an extremely cold country with polar bears running around on the streets, due to its closeness to the North Pole.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Sweden does not actually have an arctic climate. But if you come here in the winter, there is likely to be snow and you should bring warm shoes and a warm jacket. You can read more about the climate and the Swedish weather on the following website: www.smhi.se
What is the difference between a university and a university college?
The essential difference between a university and a university college is that a university can offer education at the research level and has the right to award doctoral degrees. However, a university college can apply for the right to award doctoral degrees within a certain scientific area.
What is the cost of studying at a university or university college in Sweden?
Most universities and university colleges in Sweden do not charge any tuition fees. However, to be allowed to study in Sweden you need to have enough money to support yourself during your stay. The migration board will only issue residence permits to international students who have SEK 7,400 per month. This amount is a good indication of how much money you will need each month.
How expensive is Sweden compared to other countries?
If you compare Stockholm to other cities in Europe, you will probably find that it is cheaper to live here. Many people who are visiting Stockholm are positively surprised about the prices.
Price example:
| Bottle of milk |
SEK 9 |
| Cinema ticket |
SEK 95
|
| Lunch |
SEK 70 |
| Beer |
SEK 50 |
| Hamburger meal |
SEK 65 |
How do I get around in Stockholm?
It is easy to get around in Stockholm by public transport. You can buy a monthly travelcard from Stockholm Public Transport (SL) . There are no student discounts on travelcards. The current cost of an SL travelcard is SEK 690 per month. The travelcard is valid for travel by bus, by underground, on certain boats, and by commuter train. You can go all the way from Nynäshamn in the south to Märsta in the north, which is a distance of 100 km. You can also use the travelcard on the boat to Djurgården, where you will find the Skansen open air museum (featuring, among other things, old Swedish buildings and typical Nordic animals) and the Gröna Lund amusement park. You can, of course, get around the city by foot - which is probably the best way of seeing Stockholm. There are also excellent bicycle roads if you wish to see the city from that point of view.
For further information about public transport, please visit www.sl.se
How do I travel get to Stockholm?
Stockholm has two airports. Arlanda, located 40 km north of Stockholm, is the largest airport. Bromma airport is more centrally located but it is somewhat smaller and mostly services domestic flights. Skavsta airport in Nyköping and Västerås airport are also not that far away. Skavsta is around 100 km from Stockholm and Västerås around 90 km away. Both airports have frequent bus services to central Stockholm. It is also possible to travel to Sweden by train.
What is a civic registration number and how can I get one?
Every person born in Sweden receives a civic registration number. The civic registration number is unique for every person who is registered in Sweden. The personal number is based on your date of birth. The number is personal and you will keep it all your life even if you leave Sweden. The tax office will issue your civic registration number once you are registered in Sweden. Your need to stay in Sweden for at least one year before you are entitled to national registration and a civic registration number.
Companies will sometimes ask for your civic registration number and you may find it to be a bureaucratic complication to be asked to provide something that you are not allowed to get. If you face any problems in this respect, contact your international coordinator.
Do I need to apply for a residence permit and visa before I enter Sweden?
If you are a student from an EU/EEA country and plan to stay in Sweden for more than three months, you should register for a residence permit no more than three months after your arrival in Sweden.
If you are a student from a non-EU/EEA country, you will need to apply for a residence permit at the Swedish embassy in your home country. The permit must be issued and inserted into your passport before your arrival in Sweden.
The Schengen Agreement visa rules apply in Sweden. According to the Schengen Agreement, the Schengen countries - i.e. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Norway and Iceland - have abolished border controls for persons travelling between these countries. If you click on the link below you will find a list of the countries whose citizens require a visa to visit Sweden.
Visitors arriving from countries that are not on the list can enter Sweden and the other Schengen countries and remain there without a visa for three months.
www.migrationsverket.se/english.html
Which courses and programmes are offered in English?
To find out which programmes and courses the universities and university colleges are offering in English, please visit the website of each institution. Most of them have a dedicated page in English with information on available courses and programmes.
How does the postal system work in Sweden?
You can pay your rent and other bills at a post office. They charge a fee for every bill you pay. It is cheaper to pay through through the bank, either at a branch office or via Internet banking, but you then need to hold a Swedish bank account (and a civic registration number is usually needed to open such an account). Letters and packages can be sent and stamps be purchased at any post representative. These can be found all over Stockholm. You can also find post representatives at kiosks, supermarket, corner shops, and petrol stations.
Look for the following sign:
For further information about the Swedish post office, go to: www.posten.se
What happens if I fall ill?
Whom you should contact if you become ill really depends on what kind of treatment you need. The following link will provide you with more information about this in the form of a guide from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology: For health care advice.pdf (97 kB)
How does the queue system work in different stores?
Some stores have queue numbers. This is common at pharmacies, opticians, banks, and sometimes at Systembolaget (for an explanation on Systembolaget, see further down).
Which activities are on offer in Stockholm?
At www.stockholmtown.com you will find the latest news and information on events, museums, exhibitions, culture and much more. The student unions also offer many activities especially for students. Contact your local student union to see what is happening at your university.
What kind of scholarships can I apply for?
Most universities and university colleges do not offer any scholarships to international students. If you are an exchange student, your home university may offer scholarships through various exchange programmes.
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students. For more information about scholarships and amounts, please visit www.studyinsweden.se. www.studyinsweden.se.
What are Swedish people like?
Swedes might be known as shy and reserved, but if you meet a Swede in the street and ask him or her something, you are likely to find them extremely helpful. Most Swedes speak and understand English.
What about insurance?
It is very important that you are properly insured if you come to Sweden as an international student. You can check with the host university if they have any special insurances for international students, but you usually need to arrange your own insurance in your home country.
Links to embassies
Foreign Embassies www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/5616;jsessionid=a4IAvH9Ialtc
Links to language studies
Folkuniversitetet www.folkuniversitetet.se/templates/PageFrame.aspx?id=3887
Swedish Institute www.si.se/templates/CommonPage469.aspx
What about the Swedish alcohol policy?
In Sweden, Systembolaget has a monopoly on selling alcohol. This means that you can only buy alcohol at a shop operated by Systembolaget. You need to be at least 20 years old to make a purchase at Systembolaget. At the pub, you need to be at least 18 years old. You must always be ready to prove your age by showing identification. Systembolaget has limited opening hours and is closed on Sundays.