MA in Sweden: Top Colleges, Tuition Fees, Career Scope & Salary Insights

An MA in Sweden is a popular choice among students when considering an MA abroad. The duration of this course is 1-2 years. The eligibility criteria include a bachelor's degree and a valid score on English proficiency tests.
The popular specializations in MA include economics, sociology, design, architecture, media and communications, and cinema studies. MA in Sweden has many universities offering MA, such as Lund University, Uppsala University, Stockholm University, University of Gothenburg, Linköping University, Umeå University, and Södertörn University.
The average fees in Sweden for pursuing an MA are around ₹80,000 per year. The average salary is between ₹10,00,000 and ₹15,00,000. Admission intakes vary by university. The candidates must prepare the documents, such as a degree certificate, CV, SOP, passport, and IELTS/TOEFL score card.
The blog includes all the relevant information about MAs in Sweden. It includes details on top universities, admission dates, fees, scholarships, cutoffs, entrance exams, placements, and salaries.
MA in Sweden: Quick Highlights
Check out the table for quick highlights of the MA in Sweden:
Particulars | Details |
Duration | 1–2 years |
Language of Instruction | English |
Tuition Fees | ₹720,000–₹1,280,000 per year |
Living Expenses | SEK 8,000 – 10,000/month (approx. ₹60,000 – ₹70,000) |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree equivalent to Swedish Kandidatexamen + English proficiency |
Popular Specialisations | Computer Science, Management, Data Science, Engineering, Business, AI |
Required Documents | Academic transcripts, Degree certificate, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores, CV, SOP, Passport |
Top Public Universities | Uppsala University, Stockholm University, Lund University, University of Gothenburg |
Top Private Institutions | Jonkoping University, Chalmers University of Technology (foundation-funded) |
Job Prospects | High in tech, business, and data-related roles |
Top Recruiters | Ericsson, Volvo, H&M, Spotify, IKEA, AstraZeneca |
Starting Salary (Avg.) | SEK 400,000–550,000 per year |
Post-Study Visa | 1-year job search visa after graduation |
Permanent Residency Route | Eligible after 4 years of legal residence and full-time employment |
MA in Sweden: Important Dates and Events
Knowing about dates and events for admission and scholarships for Sweden is important.
MA in Sweden: Application Start & End Dates for Top Universities
Check out the table for application start and end dates of MAs in Sweden:
University | Application Deadlines |
Lund University | August 15, 2024; January 15, 2025 |
Uppsala University | January 15, 2025 |
Stockholm University | Aug 15, 2024; Oct 15, 2024; Jan 15, 2025; Mar 15, 2025; Apr 15, 2025 |
University of Gothenburg | January 15, 2024 |
Linköping University | April 15, 2025 |
Umeå University | August 15, 2024; January 15, 2025; April 15, 2025 |
Södertörn University | January 15, 2025; April 15, 2025 |
MA in Sweden: Fees
Check out the table for fees for an MA in Sweden:
University | Tuition Fee Range (SEK) | Tuition Fee Range (₹ INR) |
Uppsala University | kr50,000 – kr72,500 | ₹3,91,500 – ₹5,67,975 |
University of Gothenburg | kr65,500 – kr77,500 | ₹5,12,865 – ₹6,06,825 |
Stockholm University | kr90,000 – kr90,000 | ₹7,04,700 – ₹7,04,700 |
Södertörn University | kr99,000 – kr99,000 | ₹7,74,165 – ₹7,74,165 |
Lund University | kr125,000 – kr125,000 | ₹9,78,750 – ₹9,78,750 |
Linköping University | kr80,000 – kr136,000 | ₹6,26,400 – ₹10,65,888 |
Umeå University | kr321,300 | ₹25,13,779 |
Why Choose an MA in Sweden?
- Global Recognition: An MA in Sweden is offered by top-ranking universities in the world. These universities are Lund University, Uppsala University, Stockholm University, Umeå University, and Södertörn University. These universities are globally recognized.
- Diverse and Rich Culture: Sweden has a diverse and rich culture, offering exposure. The students pursuing masters can also learn the Swedish language and open gates to more opportunities.
- Strong Networking: Swedish universities have tie-ups with world-class recruiting companies. Leading companies visit the campus for hiring students.
- Safe Environment: Sweden as a country is safe and inclusive. The people are welcoming, and the universities have a high intake of international students.
- Affordable fee structure: Swedish universities have an affordable fee structure.
- Post-study Opportunities: Sweden provides a 1-year job search visa after graduation to students. This 1 year can be used by students to find a job. There are many on-campus opportunities for students.
Also check: MA in Germany
MA in Sweden: Qualification
Check out the table for the qualifications required for an MA in Sweden:
Category | Requirement Details |
Academic Qualifications | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized institution, relevant to the chosen MA program. Example: MA in Communication requires UG in media or related field. |
Minimum GPA | Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. |
English Proficiency | IELTS: Minimum 6.5 - TOEFL iBT: Minimum 90 - Other accepted tests: PTE Academic, Cambridge English |
Standardised Tests | GRE/GMAT may be required for some programs. Example: MA in International Business may need GMAT ≥ 600 |
Work Experience | Preferred for business and management programs. Example: MA in Environmental Management requires 1–2 years in relevant field |
Letters of Recommendation | 2–3 letters from academic/professional referees |
Statement of Purpose | A detailed SOP explaining goals, motivation, and program fit |
Portfolio | Required for creative programs like an MA in Fine Arts or Design, showcasing past work |
MA in Sweden: Eligibility University-wise
Check out the table for eligibility criteria for the MA in Sweden:
University | Eligibility | English Proficiency |
Uppsala University | Bachelor’s degree equivalent to Kandidatexamen | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 |
Stockholm University | Bachelor’s degree equivalent to Kandidatexamen | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 |
Chalmers University | Bachelor’s in a relevant field | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 |
University of Gothenburg | Bachelor’s degree equivalent to Kandidatexamen | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 |
Linköping University | Bachelor’s degree equivalent to Kandidatexamen | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 |
Umeå University | Bachelor’s degree equivalent to Kandidatexamen | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 |
MA in Sweden: Application Process
Check out the table for the application process of the MA in Sweden:
Steps | Details |
1. Shortlist Programs | Choose suitable MA programs from top Swedish universities |
2. Upload Academic Documents | Bachelor's transcripts, provisional/degree certificate, and translated versions if not in English |
3. Submit Required Documents | SOP (500 words), CV/Resume, Letters of Recommendation (LORs) |
4. Upload English Test Scores | IELTS (min. 6.5) / TOEFL iBT (min. 90) or Medium of Instruction certificate |
5. Optional Test Scores | GRE/GMAT scores (if required by the program) |
6. Pay Application Fee | SEK 900 (approx. ₹6,900) |
7. Admission Decision | Wait for university decision—typically announced in March for August intake |
Top MA Entrance Exams for Sweden
Check out the table for the top entrance exams for the MA in Sweden:
Exam | Purpose | Typical Requirement | Accepted By |
GRE | Tests verbal, analytical, and quantitative skills | Optional for most universities, recommended for competitive programs | Chalmers, KTH, some tech/engineering programs |
IELTS | English language proficiency | Minimum 6.0 – 7.0 (overall); no band <5.5 | All universities |
TOEFL | English language proficiency | Minimum 78–100 iBT | All universities |
PTE | English language proficiency | Minimum 55–60 | Increasingly accepted across universities |
MA in Sweden: Cutoff
Check out the table for cutoffs for MA in Sweden:
Test | Minimum Score Required | Recommended for Top Universities | Validity |
GRE | Not mandatory (optional) | 310+ for tech/engineering programs | 5 years |
IELTS | Minimum 6.0 | 6.5 – 7.0 overall (no band < 5.5) | 2 years |
TOEFL | Minimum 78 iBT | 90 – 100 iBT | 2 years |
PTE | Minimum 55 | 60+ recommended | 2 years |
MA Seats in Sweden
Check out the table for the seats in the universities for an MA in Sweden:
MA in Sweden: Seats in Public Universities
The following table shows the MA seats in public universities:
University | QS WUR 2025 | Est. Total MA Intake (per year) |
Lund University | 75 | 1,400 total MA students |
Uppsala University | 103 | 1,200 total MA students |
Stockholm University | 128 | 1,000 total MA students |
University of Gothenburg | 194 | 800 total MA students |
Linköping, Umeå, Luleå, Malmö, etc. | 304–600 (range) | 1,000 total MA students (combined) |
MA in Sweden: Seats in Private Business Schools
The following table shows the MA seats in private universities
University | QS WUR 2025 | Est. Total MA Intake (per year) | Est. Seats for International Students |
Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) | Not Ranked (Private, specialized) | 150–200 total MA students | 100–150 (50–75%) |
Jönköping University / JIBS | Not Ranked (Private) | 600 total MA/graduate students | 180–240 (30–40%) |
Chalmers University (Master’s overall) | 129 | 1,000 total MA/MPLUS | 170 (17%) |
Other private colleges (e.g., JU, SSE) | Not Ranked | 500 total MA students | 150–250 (30–50%) |
MA in Sweden: Syllabus
Check out the table for the specialization courses for an MA in Sweden:
University | MA Programs |
Lund University | Media and Communication Studies, Sociology |
Uppsala University | Economics, Human-Computer Interaction |
Stockholm University | Economics, Sociology, Cinema Studies |
University of Gothenburg | Investigative Journalism, Global Health |
Linköping University | Design |
Umeå University | Architecture and Urban Design, Master of Fine Arts |
Södertörn University | Journalism, Media, Communication and Cultural Analysis |
MA in Sweden vs MA in India
Check out the comparison table for MA in Sweden vs MA in India:
Particulars | MA in Sweden | MA in India |
Duration | 1–2 years | 2 years |
Language of Instruction | English | English or regional languages |
Tuition Fees | SEK 90,000 – 160,000/year (₹7.5 – ₹13.5 lakh/year approx.) | ₹10,000–₹2 lakh/year (public); ₹2–₹6 lakh/year (private) |
Living Expenses | SEK 8,000 – 10,000/month (₹70,000 – ₹90,000) | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000/month |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree + IELTS/TOEFL/PTE | Bachelor’s degree + entrance exams (e.g., DUET, TISSNET) |
Admission Process | Centralized (via universityadmissions.se) | University-specific or state-level entrance tests |
Popular Specialisations | Data Science, AI, Management, Engineering, Sustainability | Economics, Political Science, Literature, Sociology |
Job Prospects | High in tech, engineering, and business sectors | Moderate; competitive job market |
Starting Salary (Avg.) | ₹30 – ₹45 LPA (SEK 400,000 – 550,000/year) | ₹3 – ₹8 LPA |
Top Recruiters | Volvo, Ericsson, Spotify, IKEA, AstraZeneca | TCS, Infosys, HDFC, Wipro, Accenture |
Post-Study Work Visa | 1-year job search visa | No formal post-study visa; must find a job directly |
Permanent Residency Route | Eligible after 4 years of legal stay and full-time work | Not applicable (citizenship-based) |
Research Opportunities | High; Sweden is research-intensive | Moderate; better in top institutions like JNU, IITs |
Global Exposure | Excellent – international faculty & peers | Limited – primarily domestic context |
MA in Sweden: Career Scope
Check out the table for career scope after an MA in Sweden:
Profession | Average Annual Salary (SEK) | Average Annual Salary (₹ INR) |
Secretary | kr21,400 | ₹1,67,562 |
Bookkeeper | kr22,000 | ₹1,72,260 |
Travel Agent | kr29,200 | ₹2,28,636 |
Graphic Designer | kr30,500 | ₹2,38,515 |
Teacher | kr34,100 | ₹2,67,003 |
Creative Director | kr45,800 | ₹3,58,614 |
Art Director | kr47,500 | ₹3,71,925 |
MA in Sweden: Scholarship
Check the table for scholarship details:
Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount Awarded | Selection Criteria | No. of Scholarships |
Halmstad University Scholarship | Admitted to a Master's program at Halmstad | 25–50% of tuition (1 sem) | Merit: GPA, prior institution ranking, English proficiency | Decided by university |
Chalmers IPOET Scholarship | Non-EU students applying to Chalmers Master's programs | 75% of tuition fee | Academic record, priority for program | 45 |
Karlstad University Global Scholarship | Non-EU students with strong academic potential | 25%–100% of tuition fees | Academic excellence | Not specified |
Jönköping University Scholarship | International students with Jönköping as their first choice | 30% of the tuition fee | Academic merit | 350 |
Linnaeus University Scholarship | Admitted to a Master's program with Linnaeus as first choice | Up to 75% of tuition fees | CGPA, institution rank, English skills | Decided by university |
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Admitted to a Swedish Master's program via universityadmissions.se | Full tuition + living costs | Academic merit, leadership, work experience | Varies (often 300–350/year) |
KTH India Scholarship | Indian students applying to KTH as first priority | Full tuition (2 years) | Based on academic excellence | Limited |
Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | Indian nationals applying to top international universities | Up to full tuition (loan) | Merit-based, rigorous selection process | Highly competitive |
MA in Sweden: Scholarship Deadline for 2025
Check out the table for scholarship deadlines for the MA in Sweden:
Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount Awarded | Deadline |
Halmstad University Scholarship | Admitted to a Master's program at Halmstad University | 25–50% of tuition (1 semester) | March 2025 |
Chalmers IPOET Scholarship | Non-EU students applying to Chalmers Master's programs | 75% of the tuition fee | January 2025 |
Karlstad University Global Scholarship | Non-EU students with strong academic potential | 25%–100% of tuition fees | February 2025 |
Jonkoping University Scholarship | Students admitted to bachelor's or master's, Jonkoping as first choice | 30% of the tuition fee | April 2025 |
Linnaeus University Scholarship | Admitted to a Master's program at Linnaeus University as first choice | Up to 75% of tuition fees | February 2025 |
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals | Admitted to Swedish Master's program via universityadmissions.se | Full tuition + living costs | February 2025 |
KTH India Scholarship | Indian students applying to KTH as first priority | Full tuition for 2 years | January 2025 (expected) |
Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | Indian nationals applying to top international universities | Up to full tuition (loan) | March 2025 (expected) |
MA in Sweden: Top Recruiters
Check out the table for the top recruiters after MAs in Sweden:
Company | Industry |
Ericsson | Technology and Communication |
Volvo Group | Automotive |
H&M | Retail |
Karolinska Institute | Healthcare |
Stockholm University | Education |
IKEA | Retail |
Saab | Defence and Security |
MA in Sweden: Salary Package
Check out the table for the average salary for MAs in Sweden:
Company | Average Salary (INR) |
Ericsson | ₹1,600,000 |
Volvo Group | ₹17,00,000 |
H&M | ₹15,00,000 |
Karolinska Institute | ₹14,00,000 |
Stockholm University | ₹13,00,000 |
IKEA | ₹1,600,000 |
Saab | ₹17,00,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: What are the affordable MA programs in Sweden in 2025?
Ans: Some affordable MA programs in Sweden in 2025 are as follows:
Program | University | Annual Tuition Fees (INR) |
MA in Business & Data Science | Dalarna University | ₹3.2 – ₹6.4 lakhs |
MA in Law, Psychology | Uppsala University | ₹4.0 – ₹6.4 lakhs |
MA in Environmental Science, Sociology | Stockholm University | ₹7.2 – ₹11.2 lakhs |
Ques: What are the top MA programs in Sweden in 2025?
Ans: The top MA programs in Sweden in 2025 are Sustainable Energy and Clean Technology, Public Health and Epidemiology, Architecture and Urban Development, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Business Studies and Management.
Ques: What is the cost of living in Sweden for students in 2025?
Ans: The cost of living in Sweden for students in 2025 ranges between ₹65,000 and ₹70,000. The cost of living in Sweden includes rent, food, transport, and phone bills.
Ques: What are the part-time MA programs in Sweden in 2025?
Ans: The part-time MA programs in Sweden in 2025 are mostly in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and education. This is mostly through distance learning.
Ques: What are the best universities for an MA in Sweden in 2025?
Ans: The top universities for an MA in Sweden are Lund University, Uppsala University, Stockholm University, University of Gothenburg, Linköping University, Umeå University, and Södertörn University.