GENERAL

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

TB
Tanisha Butola • 10 Mins read • 22 Jul 25
MA in SwedenMA in Sweden

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?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Strong Networking: Swedish universities have tie-ups with world-class recruiting companies. Leading companies visit the campus for hiring students.
  4. Safe Environment: Sweden as a country is safe and inclusive. The people are welcoming, and the universities have a high intake of international students.
  5. Affordable fee structure: Swedish universities have an affordable fee structure.
  6. 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.