Nursing in Sweden for Indian Students 2026: Universities, Fees, Eligibility, Salary & Scholarships

Nursing in Sweden is offered in both Bachelor's (BSc) and Master's (MSc) programs. BSc Nursing in Sweden is a course with a total timeline of 3 years, while MSc Nursing in Sweden has a duration of 1 to 2 years. Karolinska Institutet, Lund University, Uppsala University, University of Gothenburg, Linköping University, and Karlstad University are some of the top universities for Nursing in Sweden. 

For admission to nursing in Sweden, Indian applicants have to demonstrate Swedish language proficiency for Swedish-taught programs and English language proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programs. The applicants must have also completed high school or upper secondary levels. Passing the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test can be helpful, but it is not mandatory; it can help students to enhance their admission chances.

The nursing fees in Sweden range between SEK 48,815 - 540,000 (₹5,06,472 - 48,81,000), though this varies. Many scholarships for Indian students are available, such as the Lund University Global Scholarship, Karlstad University Scholarship and Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals.

The average annual salary after Nursing in Sweden is around SEK 275,800 to SEK 650,700, which is ₹28,66,342 to ₹67,62,612 in Indian Currency. Nursing job roles in Sweden include Nurse in Hospital, Nursing Educator, which provide good pay initially after graduation.

Read More: Study in Sweden for Indian Students

Nursing in Sweden: Course Highlights

Check the table below for course requirements, duration, eligibility, fees, salary, and so on, which are important for students to know before admission. 

Why Choose Nursing in Sweden?

Sweden can be chosen for nursing by Indian students due to the following reasons.

• 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, due to the ageing population, which offers career security, scope for specialisation, and continuing professional development for Swedish and foreign graduate nurses.

Nursing in Sweden: Accreditation and Recognition

The following bodies are involved in approving and recognising the nursing courses as well as qualifications in Sweden.

• Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen)
• Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR)
• Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ)
• ENIC-NARIC Sweden (via UHR)

Nursing in Sweden: Best Universities 2026

The infographic below shows the rankings of the top universities in Sweden that provide Nursing courses.

Nursing in Sweden: Fees 2026

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

Note: The above-listed fees are subject to change, so students must verify the fee details on the official website of the universities.

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. 

Nursing Pathways in Sweden for Indians

To work in Sweden, Indian nurses have to obtain a license from National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), that needs a compulsory Swedish proficiency, mainly at the C1 level, nursing qualifications assessment, completion of additional needs like a knowledge test, a supplementary training program, or clinical training for the non EU degrees.

Nursing in Sweden: Eligibility Criteria 2026

Indian students who are willing to apply must know the eligibility criteria for Nursing in Sweden. The eligibility criteria are quite easy, as given below.

• There is no particular upper age limit for Indian students, but normally, they must be a minimum of 17 to 18 years of age.
• Completion of upper secondary education (equivalent to Class 12)
• Specific subject prerequisites according to the programme normally include Maths, Natural Sciences (Biology or Chemistry) and Social Sciences, equivalent to Swedish upper-secondary levels.
• Swedish language proficiency is compulsory for most Bachelor’s in Nursing courses for Swedish-taught programs at top universities such as Karolinska Institutet, University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University, Linköping University, etc.
• English language proficiency (equivalent to Swedish English 6), such as IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90, is needed only if it is an English-taught program or for general academic eligibility.
• Selection for admission depends on merit, such as upper secondary grades and/or the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, depending on the university.

Nursing in Sweden: Application Process 2026

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- Candidates must check that they meet all the entry requirements, such as English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL) or Swedish proficiency.
• Step 3- Apply online through the UniversityAdmissions.se.
• Step 4- Upload or submit all the needed supporting documents.
• Step 5- Application fee payment (if needed), and then wait for the selection results.
• Step 6- Get the admission offer and accept it.
• Step 5- Apply for the Swedish residence permit for studies.

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. 

• Valid Passport
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Scorecard of the English Proficiency Test (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+) or Swedish Proficiency Test (TISUS or equivalent), though this varies as per university
• Bachelor’s degree marksheet (for Master’s)
• Statement of Purpose, Resume if required
• Financial support proof
• Official Admission or Acceptance Letter
• Student visa or residence permit documents

Application Deadline of 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. 

IELTS & TOEFL Tips for Candidates

To get shortlisted in any top Nursing University in Sweden, IELTS is a must for English-taught programs. However, the Swedish language proficiency is a must for Swedish-taught programs, such as the Swedish Proficiency Test (Aptitude). 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 given below.

Nursing in Sweden: Syllabus

The table below shows the year-wise overview of the BSc Nursing program in Sweden for Indian students. 

Nursing in Sweden vs. India

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

Nursing in Sweden: Career Scope

Various job roles in Sweden include 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 275,800 to SEK 650,700.

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Nursing in Sweden: FAQs

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

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

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

Ans: The average fee charged in the universities for Nursing in Sweden ranges between SEK 80,000 and SEK 200,000 per year, for international students, though this varies, based on the university and programme.

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

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

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

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

Ques: What are the requirements to study nursing in Sweden?

Ans: Indian candidates require completion of Class 12 with science subjects and fulfilment of university requirements. Most of the Bachelor’s nursing programs require Swedish language proficiency, as teaching is mainly in Swedish.

Ques: Does Sweden charge tuition fees from international students?

Ans: Yes, international students have to pay fees if they are not exchange students. There are no short-cycle programmes. Field of study, along with programme type influence the fee amount.

Ques: What are the requirements to study assistant nursing in Sweden?

Ans: Indian students need to have a valid healthcare education and also apply for recognition with the help of Socialstyrelsen. Additionally, for the Swedish-taught programs, Indian candidates must have Swedish language proficiency, such as CEFR B2.

Ques: Can a student study nursing in Sweden for free?

Ans: No, Indian students have to pay the tuition fees as non-EU/EEA citizens. Only the EU, EEA, and Swiss students are eligible for tuition-free nursing education in Sweden.

Ques: What are the nurse vacancies in Sweden?

Ans: Sweden experiences a scarcity of specialist and registered nurses across the regions. This process builds a strong long-term demand; foreign nurses have to meet the licensing and language requirements of Sweden.

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

Ans: After completing Nursing in Sweden, the nurse's salary in Sweden is around SEK 275,800 to SEK 650,700, which is ₹28,66,342 to ₹67,62,612 in Indian Currency.