FAQ for International Students
This section contains important information specially tailored to independent international students. If you are planning to come to Stockholm as an Exchange student please see the FAQ for Exchange students.
Subjects dealt with in this FAQ:
If you do not find an answer to your question here please go to our general Frequently Asked Questions page.
Campus
Q: Is there a map of the main campus area that I can take?
A: You can find maps of all the University’s campuses on the Campus maps page, including the main Frescati campus.
Q: How do I get to the University campus?
A: Details of how to get to the University's main campus can be found at www.su.se/english/about/campus/getting-to-stockholm-university
Course information
Q: What courses or programmes are available in English at Stockholm University?
A: Stockholm University offers single courses, one bachelor’s programme and 75 Master’s programmes with English as the language of instruction.
A full list of all courses and programmes at Stockholm University is available via the online course catalogue at: http://sisu.it.su.se/search/en. Choose “Show extended search” and select “Show only courses for international students” to see which courses and programmes that does not require proficiency in Swedish.
In addition, each department usually publishes a list of all courses and programmes. See individual departmental websites for more information. Departments
The one bachelor’s programme offered with English as the language of instruction is in Political Science and Business Administration: www.fek.su.se/en/Education/Bachelors-programme/
Q: How often are Master’s courses held, and when is the last day to apply?
A: Most programmes start once a year in the autumn semester. There are five master’s programmes in Biology starting in the spring semester 2014 and the application period for these programmes is June 1 – August 15 2013.
There are two different admission rounds to apply to each semester: The January and April rounds for the autumn semester and the August and October rounds for the spring semester
Please note that although Swedish universities do not limit who can and cannot apply to a specific admission round, applicants who need to apply for a residence permit are strongly recommended to apply in the January/August admission rounds. When applying in the April/October admission rounds the admission decisions will be announced just a short time before the start of the semester, and applicants from a country outside the EEA are most unlikely to have enough time to apply for and receive their resident permit before the start of the semester.
Final application dates for programmes and courses starting in the autumn semester:
January 15 - All applicants
April 15 – Please note that applicants who need to apply for a residence permit are not encouraged to apply in this round
Final application dates for programmes and courses starting in the spring semester:
August 15 – All applicants
October 15 – Please note that applicants who need to apply for a residence permit are not encouraged to apply in this round
You can find important dates on the following page: www.su.se/english/study/application-admissions/dates-deadlines-1.175
Q: What do I need to do to take the TOEFL test?
A: Applications should be made via www.toefl.org. The test can either be done on paper or via the internet. The test is held six times per year.
The next opportunity to take the TOEFL test in Sweden is in the beginning of May. The test dates vary from country to country so it is necessary to check the information for the specific country you are resident in.
Q: How do I apply for the Swedish as a second language course?
A: Basic information about all Swedish language courses suitable for international students can be found at www.su.se/english/study/courses/swedish_courses. For more detailed information contact the Department of Scandinavian Languages, with the Dutch Division. www.nordiska.su.se/english
Please note that all Swedish courses at the University require at least Upper Secondary School level education.
Fees
Q: Do I need to pay fees to study at Stockholm University?
A: Education in Sweden is free for Swedish citizens and for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
In addition, all students coming to Sweden as part of an exchange agreement – whether from within or outside of the EU/EEA/Switzerland – are exempt from fees.
Applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland are required to pay both the application fee and tuition fees. (Applies to all studies commencing after June 2011.)
For more information see www.su.se/english/study/application-admissions/fees
Housing
Q: I need help with finding a place to live. What should I do?
Exchange Students
A: If you are an exchange student (i.e. a student studying at Stockholm University as part of an exchange agreement) you should contact the International Exchange Unit, who will be able to help you. www.su.se/english/study/exchange-students/contact-international-exchange-unit
Master's students
If you are an independent international student you should contact housing companies directly. Look out for notices on the University notice boards and make sure to use any contacts you have to find a place to live. Some useful, though mainly Swedish language, websites are listed below. (sv) = in Swedish:
www.sssb.se or in English: http://www.sssb.se/index.php?page=home_eng (en)
www.svebo.se (sv)
www.tomtbergahuge.se (sv)
www.proventum.se (sv)
www.ekenman.se (sv)
www.tyresobostader.se (sv)
www.bostad.stockholm.se (sv) or in English: www.bostad.stockholm.se/upload/pdf/sprak/engelska.pdf (en)
www.studentsidan.com (sv)
www.studentlya.nu (en)
Visas and ID numbers
Q: I have applied for a course at Stockholm University. How can I get a visa?
A: You must first receive a place on a course of programme at Stockholm University, after which you should contact the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket).
Q: I am applying to study at Stockholm University from a country outside of the EU/EEA. Where should I apply for a study permit?
A: You can apply for permission to study or work in Sweden, from within Sweden via the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket), or via any Swedish embassy in any part of the world.
Q: I have been given a Swedish ID number (personnummer). How do I replace the temporary Student ID number, given to me by Student Services, with the new ID number?
A: Go to the student helpdesk, on the ground floor of Hus A, Södra Huset. There you will need to show the documentation you have received from the Swedish Tax Authority (Skatteverket). A copy of this documentation will then be taken and sent to the team responsible for the national student database, Ladok, where your details will be changed accordingly.
Work
Q: Can I, as a student, take an extra job as a teacher at a school?
A: In Swedish schools there is a great deal of emphasis on the importance of employing qualified teachers who have a valid teaching certificate. Depending on your background and qualifications, it will be nonetheless possible to work in a school on a limited term contract. Try contacting the service for supply teachers, Lärarjouren, via their website: www.lararjouren.se
Last updated:
April 5, 2013
Source: Student Services
