GENERAL

Nursing in Sweden: Top Universities, Admissions, Cost, Scholarships and Career Scope

SA
Shaurya • 8 Mins read • 8 Aug 25
Nursing in SwedenNursing in Sweden

Nursing in Sweden has become a popular course in Sweden in recent times. For international students, universities in Sweden offer both Bachelor(BSc) and Master(MSc) programs for nursing. BSc Nursing in Sweden is a course with a total timeline of 3 years.  Karolinska Institute, University of Gothenburg, Linköping University, and Karlstad University are some of the top universities for BSc Nursing in Sweden. For admission, applicants have to give entrance exams like IELTS or TOEFL. Admission requirements are that the students need to have passed the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test. The applicants must have also completed high school or upper secondary levels. The fees for BSc Nursing in Sweden lie between 241,700 - 450,000 SEK, which is 21,84,000 - 40,68,000 in Indian rupees. Many scholarships for Indian students are available, such as the Karlstad University Scholarship and many more.

Salary after Nursing in Sweden is around SEK 28,000 - SEK 54,000, which is ₹2,53,846 - ₹4,89,560 in Indian Currency. The Living cost in Sweden sums up around SEK 8,000 - SEK 13,000 on average. Cost in Indian currency is around ₹72,530 - ₹1,17,160. Nursing job roles in Sweden, like Nurse in Hospital, Nursing Educator, provide good pay initially after graduation. 


Nursing in Sweden: Course Highlights

Mentioned fields such as course requirements, duration, eligibility, average fees, salary, and so on are important for students to know before admission. 

Category

Details

Course Name

  • BSc in Nursing
  • MSc in Nursing

Course Level

Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Course Duration

  1. BSc : 3 years
  2. MSc: 1-2 years

Eligibility

IELTS or TOEFL, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test(for bachelor’s), Qualification in all the prior studies, Bachelor’s degree (for masters)

Application mode

Online

Required examinations

IELTS/TOEFL, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test(for bachelor’s)

Course Fee

  1. BSc : 241,700 - 450,000 SEK (21,84,000 - 40,68,000)
  2. MSc: SEK 99,400(8,98,000)

Average salary 

SEK 28,000 - SEK 54,000 / ₹2,53,846 - ₹4,89,560 

Top universities

  • Karolinska Institute
  • University of Gothenburg
  • Linkoping University
  • Karlstad University
  • Lund University
  • Uppsala University

Top recruiters

  • Karolinska University Hospital
  • Capio
  • Uppsala University Hospital


Nursing in Sweden: Important Events and Dates

For nursing in Sweden, universities require an IELTS score card and bachelor’s degree. The important dates for the same are given in the table below. IELTS and TOEFL are conducted on multiple dates around a year. 

Events

Important dates

August 2025

7,9,23 August 2025

September

6,13,18,27 September 2025

October

4,9,18,25 October 2025

November

1,6,15,22 November 2025

December

4,6,11,20,27 December 2025


Deadlines For Application to Top Universities in Sweden

Here are the application deadlines for applying to top universities in Sweden for Nursing courses. Applications for most of the universities have already started, and end around December-January. 


Universities

Application timeline

Karolinska Institute

15 October 2025

University of Gothenburg

15 October 2025

Linkoping University

15 January 2026

Karlstad University

Autumn 2025 

Lund University

15 January 2026

Uppsala University

15 October 2025


Why Choose Nursing in Sweden?

  • High Professional Standing & Independence: Swedish nurses are highly valued, independent in clinical practice, and able to transition into leadership, shaping patient care and health policy.
  • New Age Healthcare & Work-Life Harmony: Sweden's technology-based, equal healthcare. Nurses enjoy excellent working conditions—permanent positions, reasonable remuneration, 25 days of paid leave, and positive workplaces promoting teamwork and cooperation.
  • Demand & Career Prospects: There is a strong and growing demand for nurses all over Sweden, thanks to an ageing population, which offers career security, scope for specialization, and continuing professional development for Swedish and foreign graduate nurses.


Nursing in Sweden: Fees

This section contains the fee structure for the nursing course of Nursing in Sweden. Below is the university-wise fee structure for Nursing in Sweden. 

University

Course offered

Annual fees in SEK

Annual fees in ₹

Karolinska Institute

  • Bachelor’s in Nursing

540,000 SEK

₹48,81,000

University of Gothenburg

  • Nursing

49,000 - 80,500 SEK

₹4,42,000 - ₹7,27,723

Linkoping University

  • Nursing

166300 SEK

₹15,03,000

Karlstad University

  • BSc in Nursing

513,000 SEK

₹46,37,000

Lund University

  • BSc in Nursing

80,000 - 150,000 SEK

₹7,23,000 - ₹13,56,000

Uppsala University

  • Nursing

SEK 390,000

35,25,618


Nursing in Sweden: Living Costs

Cost of living is a very important aspect for an international student. Let's look at detailed information containing living costs, food, travel expenses, and so on. 

Expenses (monthly)

Cost in SEK

Cost in ₹

Living costs

SEK 7,827 - 13,419

₹70,000 - 1,21,000

Food

SEK 3,000 - 4,000

₹27,000 - 36,000

Travel

SEK 600

₹5,000

Electricity, water, and other necessary expenses

SEK 1,500

₹13,560

Internet

SEK 300

₹2,500

Health Insurance

SEK 335

₹3,000


Nursing in Sweden: University-Wise Admission Requirements

Students who are willing to apply must know the eligibility criteria for Nursing in Sweden. The eligibility criteria are quite easy. Universities require an IELTS or TOEFL score, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test(for bachelor’s), and a bachelor’s degree for admission. 

University

Academic Eligibility

Minimum English Test Score

Karolinska Institute

  • Passed the 12th class examination
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing

IELTS 7.0

University of Gothenburg

  • Passed the 12th class examination 
  • Upper Secondary Mathematics
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing

IELTS 6.5

Linkoping University

  • Passed the 12th class examination 
  • Undergraduate degree in Nursing. 
  • TOEFL iBT - 90+
  • IELTS - 6.5+

Karlstad University

  • Passed the 12th class examination 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
  • TOEFL iBT - 80-90+
  • IELTS - 6.5 - 7.0

Lund University

  • Passed the 12th class examination 
  • Undergraduate degree in Nursing.
  • TOEFL iBT - 90
  • IELTS - 6.5+

Uppsala University

  • Passed the 12th class examination 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
  • TOEFL iBT - 90
  • IELTS - 6.5


Nursing in Sweden: Process of Applying

The application process for Nursing in Sweden is given step by step. The first step is to decide which college you want to apply to and the course. College rankings help candidates select which college is best for them. 

Step 1- Select the course and the university that you want to apply to.

Step 2- Apply for the English proficiency tests like IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and so on. The test score is mandatory for getting admission in any country abroad.

Step 3- After passing with the required score, fill the application form for the preferred university by the deadline. Then wait for the acceptance letter.

Step 4- After receiving the acceptance letter from the university, prepare the documents required and report to the university to complete the admission process


Nursing in Sweden: Documents Required

Let’s now have a look at the documents for admission in Sweden. During the time of physical reporting/ physical verification, students must have both the original and photocopies of the documents. Hence, keep the documents prepared before the admission process starts. 

  • Scorecard of the English Proficiency Test
  • Bachelor’s degree marksheet
  • Statement of Purpose, Resume if required
  • Income Certificate
  • Acceptance Letter
  • Admission letter
  • Government ID
  • Visa


IELTS & TOEFL Tips for Candidates

To get shortlisted in any top Nursing University in Sweden, IELTS is a must. Along with this Swedish Proficiency Test (Aptitude) is also required for admission. It is important to know a few tips before starting your preparation for these tests:

  • Aim for a higher score in IELTS. 6.5 - 7.0 is a good score, which most universities will accept for admission. 


Nursing in Sweden: Scholarships

There are many scholarships for international students in Sweden that provide tuition fees and other assistance. Some of them are Lund University Global Scholarship, Jönköping University Scholarships, and many more. 

Scholarships

Eligibility 

Advantages

Lund University Global Scholarship

Have applied for a Bachelor’s Degree at Lund University

Partial or Full Tuition Fee

Karlstad University Scholarship

Students with excellent academic records from non-EU countries

Covers 25%, 75%, 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.

Hilda och Rune Nilssons fond nr 2

For students studying the Nursing program at Karlstads University, it also requires a transcript of records, CV, etc.

10,000 SEK

Lund University Global Scholarship

Have applied for a Master's Degree at Lund University

Partial or Full Tuition Fee

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals

Open to applicants from eligible non-EU/EEA countries

Fully Funded, includes tuition, SEK 12,000/month living allowance, and travel grant


Nursing in Sweden: Best Universities

This section contains the rankings of the top universities in Sweden that provide Nursing courses. Rankings have been mentioned according to the ranking provided by the ranking body QS World Ranking 2025.

University

Ranking 2025

Karolinska Institute

7

University of Gothenburg

202

Linkoping University

310

Karlstad University

501-550

Lund University

72

Uppsala University

93


Nursing in Sweden vs. the USA

Many students might be thinking which country among Sweden or the USA, is better for completing their Nursing degree. Here is a comparison breakdown for Nursing in the USA vs Sweden. 

Factors

Sweden

USA

Top universities

Comparatively lesser-ranked universities.

Top topmost highly ranked universities of the world.

Annual fees

241,700 - 450,000 SEK, which is ₹ 21,84,000 - ₹ 40,68,000

$20,000 - $ 60,000, which is ₹17,44,000 - ₹52,32,000

Annual average salary

SEK 28,000 - SEK 54,000, which is ₹2,53,846 - ₹4,89,560 in Indian Currency.

$56,000/year, which is ₹48,83,000

ROI

Better

Average


Nursing in Sweden: Career Scope

Various job roles like Nurse in Private and Government Hospitals, Nursing Instructor, etc.. Career opportunities in Sweden are growing a lot, and there is a lot of demand for nurses in Sweden. The average salary ranges from SEK 28,000 - SEK 54,000, which is ₹2,53,846 - ₹4,89,560 in Indian Currency.

Experience 

Average salary in SEK

Average salary in ₹

>20

SEK 54,000

₹5,89,600

15-20

SEK 51,000

₹4,62,360

10-15

SEK 47,000

₹4,26,000

5-10

SEK 40,000

₹3,62,640

2-5

SEK 28,000

₹2,53,850


Frequently Asked Questions:


QUES 1: What are the top colleges for international students willing to study Nursing in Sweden?

ANS 1: Karolinska Institute, University of Gothenburg, Linköping University, and Karlstad University are some of the popular institutions that provide Nursing degrees in Sweden.


QUES 2: What is the average fee charged for a Nursing degree in Sweden?

ANS 2: The average fee charged in the universities for Nursing in Sweden is around SEK 99,000. 


QUES 3: Which country, Sweden or the USA, is cheaper for a Nursing degree?

ANS 3: Sweden is comparatively cheaper than the USA in terms of living costs and average fees charged for a   Nursing degree.


QUES 4: Is a scholarship provided to international students pursuing Nursing in Sweden?

ANS 4: Yes, student scholarship programmes like  Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals, Lund University Global Scholarship provide financial assistance to students studying Nursing in Sweden.


QUES 5: What is the average salary after completing Nursing in Sweden?

ANS 5: After completing Nursing in Sweden, students can get around SEK 312,400 - SEK 602,700, which is ₹28,24,000 - ₹54,48,000 in Indian Currency as the average salary.