Flecked with picturesque cities and crisp polar plains, Sweden is undoubtedly a desirable place to live. It's no wonder the Nordic country is home to more than 33,000 international students.
However, Sweden is also known for being expensive. While the Swedish krona (SEK) is valued relatively low, without careful budgeting, the cost of living in Sweden can prove an unpleasant surprise to students planning to study abroad.
But worry not: if you plan your finances properly, you’ll find that living in Sweden is more than manageable. To help you work out your budget, here's our lowdown on the cost of studying and living in Sweden for international students.
Tuition fees
International students in Sweden pay an average tuition fee of about SEK 129,000 per year. Nevertheless, the actual tuition fee you'll be paying can range from SEK 80,000 to SEK 295,000 depending on the course you're doing.
For example, if you study social science and humanities, you'll be paying around SEK 80,000 to SEK 110,000 per year. If you're planning on studying technical and natural science, you'll need to allocate between SEK 120,000 and SEK 145,000 to cover your annual tuition fee.
Architecture and design courses are among the most expensive in Swedish universities. Be prepared to pay a tuition fee of between SEK 190,000 and SEK 295,000 per year if you're planning to apply for Architecture and design programmes in Sweden.
Some Swedish universities charge higher tuition fees than others, so it's important to check with individual universities to find out exactly how much you need to pay. Learn more about how much university courses cost in Sweden in our article on tuition fees in Sweden.
Accommodation
The cost of your accommodation can range from SEK 2,500 to SEK 9,000 per month. However, the exact amount you'll need to pay will depend on various factors such as the city you'll be residing in, the location of your future home, its size and the type of housing.
Student accommodation is often more affordable and easier to secure, so we recommend checking with your university as your first step to finding a place to live. Most Swedish universities provide student housing. Some of them even offer guaranteed accommodation for international students.
Alternatively, you can find accommodation in the Swedish rental market. Whether you want to live in a flat on your own or share it with flatmates will significantly affect how much rent you'll be paying each month.
For example, your monthly rent can be as low as SEK 3,500 if you share with multiple flatmates in a flat located in the suburbs with transportation links to the city centre.
But if you decide to rent a studio flat outside the city centre, it will likely cost you at least SEK 6,000 per month. A one-bed flat in the city centre will cost you a minimum monthly average of SEK 9,000.
Finding accommodation in large cities such as Gothenburg and Stockholm and renowned student cities like Lund can be particularly difficult and expensive. Smaller cities such as Karlstad, Växjö and Örebro tend to be more affordable.
Utilities
You’ll need to factor in the cost of utilities on top of your rent. Here’s a rough guide to your average monthly utility bills:
- Water and energy (heating and electricity) for an 85m² flat: SEK 961
- Internet (60 Mbps or more): SEK 318
- Mobile phone monthly plan (with calls and at least 10GB data): SEK 299
Transportation
Swedish cities have reliable public transport systems. Many of them offer travelcard options that allow unlimited travel for a set period of time.
Stockholm, for instance, boasts a comprehensive network of trains, metro lines, trams and buses, all accessible via an SL travelcard. You can also travel at a discount via a student travelcard in most major cities, provided you have a Swedish student ID card.
You can expect to spend approximately SEK 700 to SEK 1,000 on transportation every month. Your exact transportation cost will vary with your location and how often you travel.
Below are some examples of Stockholm's SL travelcards and how much they cost if you have a student ID card:
- 24-hour SL travelcard: SEK 110
- 30-day SL travelcard: SEK 650
- 90-day SL travelcard: SEK 1,880
- 1-year SL travelcard: SEK 6,830
On those rare occasions when you have to take a taxi home in Sweden, it'll cost you an average minimum fare of SEK 60 and SEK 19 per km (normal tariff).
Groceries
Grocery prices in Sweden are generally quite high but vary with areas, types of shops and supermarket chains. However, you can expect to spend an average of SEK 2,000-3,000 on groceries and food every month.
Here are the approximate average prices of some of the most common grocery items:
- Milk (1L): SEK 14.61
- Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): SEK 26.22
- Chicken fillets (1 kg): SEK 108.14
- Apples (1kg): SEK 28.99
- Tomatoes (1 kg): SEK 38.56
- White rice (1 kg): SEK 29.50
- Eggs (12 pack): SEK 36.71
- Potatoes (1 kg): SEK 14.25
- Local cheese (1 kg): SEK 103.57
Leisure and entertainment
When budgeting for your social life in Sweden, it's important to be mindful of leisure and entertainment costs. Below are some examples of average leisure and entertainment costs in Sweden:
- Local beer at a restaurant or bar (1 pint): SEK 74
- Cappuccino: SEK 41.65
- Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: SEK 800
- Cinema ticket: SEK 150
- Monthly gym membership: SEK 378.59
Miscellaneous and hidden costs
Studying in Sweden comes with various miscellaneous and hidden costs that you should be prepared for.
You may find yourself shopping for essentials like clothing, toiletries and household goods, including bed linen and kitchenware when moving into their accommodation. These initial costs can add up.
Moreover, course-specific textbooks, which can amount to SEK 750 per month or more, depending on your field of study, can be a significant part of your budget. However, you can manage these costs by utilising the university library and exploring opportunities to buy second-hand textbooks.
If you wish to join the student union for access to various activities and discounts, don't forget about your membership fee, which varies from SEK 50 to SEK 350 depending on the university. Check with the local student union for specific pricing information before joining.
Now that you have a good idea of the cost of living in Sweden, perhaps it's time to discover how to apply for a student visa in Sweden. After that, you can make a well-form decision on whether Sweden should be your destination for your study abroad adventure.
Disclaimer: All figures in this article are indicative and correct at the time of writing. Since the economy can be subject to rapid, unexpected changes at any time, we always recommend that you do your research before booking any travel.
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