Photo credit: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

Sweden has gained a reputation as the 2^nd most innovative country in the world (Global Innovation Index 2019). With a collaborative working culture and a focus on entrepreneurship, Sweden is internationally recognised for its unique business environment. Each year, more than 35,000 international students choose Sweden for their studies and here we explore why it is the perfect destination for business programmes in particular.

Research and development

It is estimated that Sweden will spend SEK 37 billion on research and development in 2019 alone, reflecting the country’s focus on progress and innovation. Many Swedish universities work closely with the private sector to help enable more research and development between industries. This collaborative approach can also be seen in the large number of start-up’s in Sweden. For example, Klarna, Spotify and Mojang are all now globally recognised brands. At Chalmers University in Gothenburg, more than 70 percent of the 80 start-ups co-founded by students are still running today. So, as a business student in Sweden, you will be given the chance to develop your own ideas and take advantage of the resources and connections at your disposal.

Best for business

Forbes rated Sweden as one of the top five countries for business. The capital city of Stockholm is home to more billion-dollar businesses than anywhere else in the world, except Silicon Valley. With one of the best education systems in the world, there are several prestigious universities in Sweden including Lund University, Uppsala University and Stockholm University which rank within the world’s top 200 for business (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020).

Sweden prides itself on being at the forefront of change and new ways of thinking. As a hub for creativity and personal freedom, there is also an emphasis on solving real world problems. This can be seen in the country’s ambitious plans for sustainable living and efforts to fight climate change. There are several areas of business that you could choose from including business management, accounting, business studies and project management.

Another reason to choose Sweden for a business degree is the welcoming and friendly attitude of locals. This, coupled with the multicultural society in Sweden, creates an accepting environment to live, work and study in. These are just a few reasons why Sweden is such an attractive study destination for international students with more than 1,000 study programmes offered in English. 

Want to know more about studying business in Sweden?

What are the requirements?

To study a business-related degree in Sweden you’ll need to have completed your high school education. You may also be required to have an A-level in mathematics and/or business studies, make sure to check the individual requirements on the programme page. As well as your previous qualifications, you will need to be able to prove your English language proficiency. If you have not learnt English before or do not have the necessary grades, you will need to take an English language test as part of your undergraduate/postgraduate university application. There are several English tests you can take including IELTS and TOEFL which are often used by international students. For most Swedish institutions, you will need a grade of ‘English 6’ which is the equivalent of an IELTS score 6.5. You can read more about English language requirements at universityadmissions.se.

Finding work

Once graduating as an international student in Sweden, you are able to remain in the country for up to one year to find work or start your own business. To be eligible, you must have had a residence permit for at least two months and can prove that you would be able to financially support yourself.

Thinking of staying in Sweden to find work after your studies? Find out more with our guide on getting a post-study work visa in Sweden.