7 best universities in Stockholm 2026

Education is built on freedom and responsibility

The core specific feature of Swedish higher education concern that most classes are conducted outside the classroom. In addition, students are studying disciplines on their own or in small groups. Group work encourages students to learn from others and solve complex problems as a team. As a result, students develop quick decision-making skills, which can contribute to a successful career. During studies, students are expected to take full responsibility for their own educational process and to deal with most issues independently.

Focus on equality

Sweden is recognized as one of the most progressive countries in the field of equality and opportunity - students of any nationality, religion and socio-economic status have an opportunity to obtain a higher education in Stockholm or another city. There is no upper age limit at universities or colleges, ensuring the right to pursue higher education throughout life. Students communicate with teachers and treat them as equals, everyone addresses them by their first name.

Study in English

In Stockholm, students can easily do without knowledge of the local language or dialects. Sweden offers more than 1,000 English-language programs. Additionally, students can speak English almost everywhere – from classroom activities to trips to the city center and  to museums, or visiting cafes.

The capital of Sweden, Stockholm, is famous for its beauty, friendliness, culture, high quality of life, and high academic standards. Stockholm occuppies the 18th position in the list of most attractive cities in the world. Proximity to many innovative companies and high employer involvement contribute to the job prospects available in Stockholm after graduation.

In 2024, Stockholm University was ranked 323rd in the world in terms of PP (top 10%), demonstrating the proportion of articles related to the most cited in their fields. In Sweden, Stockholm University ranks fourth behind Karolinska Institutet, Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, while the city's KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University are among the top 200 best universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings.

Uppsala University

This institution is one of the top universities in Stockholm. Here a foreign student can obtain professional and pedagogical education, which complies with the highest academic standards. The university conducts research that truly changes the world. Since its founding in 1477, the university has attracted the best faculty, who are representatives of different countries, and eight scholars associated with the university have been awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize. Uppsala University offers 128 international master's programs and specializations in science and technology, medicine and pharmacy, humanities and social sciences.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

This institution is best known as largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. Also it is the flagship of engineering education in the country. In addition to undergraduate and doctoral programs, KTH offers about 60 international master's programs in English, covering natural sciences, engineering, architecture, industrial management, and urban planning.

Karolinska Institute

Karolinska Institute is dedicated to medical sciences, for many years it has been ranked among the best universities in the world and the best medical universities in Europe. Karolinska Institutet faculty members divide their time between teaching and working on original research, which helps them to participate in ongoing developments in their fields. As a result, their studying courses are recognized as modern and practical. Karolinska Institutet offers 11 master's programs and undergraduate courses in public health and life sciences. All programs are conducted in English, having an international focus. Also educational process stipulates a use of an interactive learning model with an emphasis on informal and close contact between students and teachers.

Mälardalen University

Maraldalen is one of the youngest universities in Stockholm (it was founded less than 50 years ago). A modern approach to learning, a convenient location in one of the main business regions of Sweden, close cooperation with international companies and access to high-tech equipment make it an excellent choice for future applicants.

Admission requirements for universities in Sweden vary depending on the program you have chosen. However, all universities require students to successfully complete secondary education (high school), regardless of nationality or country of residence.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

• successfully complete secondary education (after the age of 16)
• demonstrate proficiency in the English language
• In some cases, students are required to take an additional math test. While taking it, you must successfully complete courses equivalent to Swedish math courses 1a, 1b, or 1c.

Requirements for admission to a master's degree

To meet the general entry requirements for a master's degree, you need to have a bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognized university.

Special Entry Requirements

Most courses and programs have specific admission requirements, which concern the field of study. For example, to enter an economics program, an applicant may require to demonstrate excellent knowledge of mathematics.

• Sweden has one of the highest standard of living, it is one of the most liberal countries in Europe (and in the world). The prices of some goods may seem high, but the experience of traveling and living in this unusual country will still be wonderful. Also, local residents are open and very friendly.  
• Order is a core feature of Swedes: this means that buses and trains will arrive on time, and most things will work as planned weeks in advance.
• Work-home balance. Working in Sweden seems to be made to make you feel as comfortable as possible! You'll often see colleagues working remotely without questions asked, or choosing their own vacation dates. Many companies allow their employees to leave on Friday afternoons, others offer billable hours that employees can invest in their health and fitness activities.
• The job prospects for highly qualified international professionals are very good. Many jobs outside of technology and large corporations will benefit from learning Swedish: Swedes speak English very well, but like foreigners, it is easier for Swedes to speak Swedish on certain topics than to translate and then speak another language.

In case of bachelor's or master's program, the tuition fees will vary from 7,000 EUR to 25,500 EUR per year. If you are interested in specialized courses such as MBA, the cost of studying may reach 30,000 EUR per year. Below are the cost ranges for popular disciplines at Swedish universities per academic year:

• Social Sciences and Humanities: 7000–15,000€,
• Engineering, IT and Natural Sciences: 10 000-20 00€,
• Architecture and design: 17,000-30,000 €.