Free movers
Free movers are students who organize their studies in Sweden independently.
Even if individual courses are in English, almost all undergraduate programs in Sweden require fluent Swedish to complete. A few programs are held entirely in English, but space is very limited as most English-language courses at the undergraduate level are aimed at exchange students. Their home university has an exchange agreement with a Swedish institution as part of an EU program or special bilateral agreement.
It is possible for a free mover to lobby a university for permission to attend specific English-language courses on a full-time basis for a period of time. Regulations governing residence permits are strict, however, and study places are in short supply, so opportunities for students to come to Sweden as free movers are limited. If you would like to study in Sweden as a free mover, make sure to plan ahead and set aside plenty of time to make all the necessary arrangements.
You need to satisfy general as well as specific entrance requirements to be eligible for courses at undergraduate level. The general requirements are:
Completion of an upper-secondary school program conferring eligibility for university studies in the same country and corresponding in level to the equivalent program in Sweden.
Proficiency in English (both written and oral) equivalent to that required on completion of Swedish upper-secondary education. Universities and university colleges will normally require verification in the form of an international proficiency test certificate.
Written and oral skills in Swedish corresponding at the level of Swedish required on completion of Swedish upper-secondary education. This is generally assessed by the national Swedish test, TISUS. Note: If you are applying for courses or programs taught in English you are normally exempt from this requirement. (See below for more details.)
Entrance requirements for a particular course or program are established independently at each academic institution. These requirements vary and you will need to contact the institution directly for exact information.
Admission to all undergraduate education is limited. All study programs and courses have a fixed number of places, which are usually exceeded by the number of applicants. Every university and university college has its own procedure for selecting among eligible applicants. The criteria applied include: grades obtained, results from previous courses, assessment of work samples, interview results, special admission tests and work experience. These criteria vary from institution to institution.
Most foreign students will also need to obtain a visa and residence permit before leaving for Sweden.
Undergraduate programs in English
Although most undergraduate programs are taught in Swedish, there are exceptions: Blekinge Institute of Technology, Dalarna University, IT University of Göteborg, Jönköping International Business School, Luleå University of Technology, Malmö University College, Mälardalen University College, Stockholm School of Economics, Umeå University, University of Borås, and Växjö University offer undergraduate programs taught in English.
Most other courses at the undergraduate level offered in English are intended for exchange students. If free movers are admitted, they must meet all the normal requirements with regard to previous university studies and knowledge of English. Universities and university colleges will normally require verification in the form of an international proficiency test certificate.
Language requirements
If you plan to study in English, you need to show that you have attained a level of written and oral proficiency equivalent to that required on completion of Swedish upper secondary education. You will need to support your application with an international proficiency test certificate.* The required score is decided by the individual university and may therefore vary.
If you plan to study in Swedish, you need to show that you have attained a level of proficiency that allows you to follow university courses taught in Swedish. You can do so by taking the national Swedish test, TISUS.**
* Examples of tests used and minimum scores:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Scores 500-550 (paper-based test), 173-213 (computer-based test), 61-79 (internet-based test)
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Score 5.0-6.0 (no band lower than 4.5-5.0)
- Cambridge EFL examination. (Grades A or B)
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Score: 85-90 points
** Students whose mother tongue is Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic or Faeroese are deemed to have adequate knowledge of Swedish. The same applies to Finnish students who have studied Swedish at upper-secondary level for three years or more.
How to apply
While the application process may vary slightly depending on which university or university college you apply to, the general procedure is as follows:
To apply for an undergraduate degree program or an individual course you should use the online application system at www.studera.nu, which processes your application. Application deadlines may vary but are usually set in mid-April for the autumn term and in mid-October for courses starting in the spring term. Information and application forms are available from the institutions themselves.
The first notices of admission are sent out in July and December. Students from outside the European Union may have difficulty obtaining residence permits in time for the start of the term.
Even if individual courses are in English, almost all undergraduate programs in Sweden require fluent Swedish to complete. A few programs are held entirely in English, but space is very limited as most English-language courses at the undergraduate level are aimed at exchange students. Their home university has an exchange agreement with a Swedish institution as part of an EU program or special bilateral agreement.
It is possible for a free mover to lobby a university for permission to attend specific English-language courses on a full-time basis for a period of time. Regulations governing residence permits are strict, however, and study places are in short supply, so opportunities for students to come to Sweden as free movers are limited. If you would like to study in Sweden as a free mover, make sure to plan ahead and set aside plenty of time to make all the necessary arrangements.
You need to satisfy general as well as specific entrance requirements to be eligible for courses at undergraduate level. The general requirements are:
Completion of an upper-secondary school program conferring eligibility for university studies in the same country and corresponding in level to the equivalent program in Sweden.
Proficiency in English (both written and oral) equivalent to that required on completion of Swedish upper-secondary education. Universities and university colleges will normally require verification in the form of an international proficiency test certificate.
Written and oral skills in Swedish corresponding at the level of Swedish required on completion of Swedish upper-secondary education. This is generally assessed by the national Swedish test, TISUS. Note: If you are applying for courses or programs taught in English you are normally exempt from this requirement. (See below for more details.)
Entrance requirements for a particular course or program are established independently at each academic institution. These requirements vary and you will need to contact the institution directly for exact information.
Admission to all undergraduate education is limited. All study programs and courses have a fixed number of places, which are usually exceeded by the number of applicants. Every university and university college has its own procedure for selecting among eligible applicants. The criteria applied include: grades obtained, results from previous courses, assessment of work samples, interview results, special admission tests and work experience. These criteria vary from institution to institution.
Most foreign students will also need to obtain a visa and residence permit before leaving for Sweden.
Undergraduate programs in English
Although most undergraduate programs are taught in Swedish, there are exceptions: Blekinge Institute of Technology, Dalarna University, IT University of Göteborg, Jönköping International Business School, Luleå University of Technology, Malmö University College, Mälardalen University College, Stockholm School of Economics, Umeå University, University of Borås, and Växjö University offer undergraduate programs taught in English.
Most other courses at the undergraduate level offered in English are intended for exchange students. If free movers are admitted, they must meet all the normal requirements with regard to previous university studies and knowledge of English. Universities and university colleges will normally require verification in the form of an international proficiency test certificate.
Language requirements
If you plan to study in English, you need to show that you have attained a level of written and oral proficiency equivalent to that required on completion of Swedish upper secondary education. You will need to support your application with an international proficiency test certificate.* The required score is decided by the individual university and may therefore vary.
If you plan to study in Swedish, you need to show that you have attained a level of proficiency that allows you to follow university courses taught in Swedish. You can do so by taking the national Swedish test, TISUS.**
* Examples of tests used and minimum scores:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Scores 500-550 (paper-based test), 173-213 (computer-based test), 61-79 (internet-based test)
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Score 5.0-6.0 (no band lower than 4.5-5.0)
- Cambridge EFL examination. (Grades A or B)
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Score: 85-90 points
** Students whose mother tongue is Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic or Faeroese are deemed to have adequate knowledge of Swedish. The same applies to Finnish students who have studied Swedish at upper-secondary level for three years or more.
How to apply
While the application process may vary slightly depending on which university or university college you apply to, the general procedure is as follows:
To apply for an undergraduate degree program or an individual course you should use the online application system at www.studera.nu, which processes your application. Application deadlines may vary but are usually set in mid-April for the autumn term and in mid-October for courses starting in the spring term. Information and application forms are available from the institutions themselves.
The first notices of admission are sent out in July and December. Students from outside the European Union may have difficulty obtaining residence permits in time for the start of the term.
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