7 best universities in Stockholm 2026

Education is built on freedom and responsibility

Swedish higher education has an unusual learning model: most classes take place outside the classroom, with students mostly studying subjects on their own or in small groups. Group work is key and encourages students to learn from others and solve complex problems as a team. By simulating the dynamics of working in international companies, students gain qualifications and experience and practice quick decision-making skills that will benefit their careers in the future and help them get a job in a real company. In the course of their studies, students are expected to take full responsibility for their own learning and to deal with most issues on their own.

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 equal chance to get a higher education in Stockholm or another city. There is no upper age limit at universities or colleges, which ensures the right to pursue higher education throughout life. Swedish society as a whole is informal and non-hierarchical, students communicate with teachers and treat them as equals, everyone addresses them by their first name – no titles are required.

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, plus students can use English almost everywhere – from classroom activities to trips to the city center and trips to museums and cafes.

The capital of Sweden, Stockholm, is famous for its beauty, friendliness, culture, high quality of life, and high quality of education. Stockholm is the 18th most attractive city in the world, reflecting the city's high standard of living and its popularity among students. Proximity to many innovative companies and high employer involvement have a positive effect on the job prospects available in Stockholm after graduation.

In 2024, Stockholm University was ranked 323rd in the world in terms of PP (top 10%), which reveals 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

Uppsala University is one of the top universities in Stockholm, recognized as one of the top 100 universities in the world. For more than 500 years, it has provided professional and pedagogical education to the highest academic standards and conducted research that truly changes the world. Since its founding in 1477, the university has attracted the best faculty from around the world, 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

The Royal Institute of Technology is best known as Sweden's largest and oldest technical university, accounting for at least a third of technical research, and 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, making the training courses modern and practical. Karolinska Institutet offers 11 master's programs and undergraduate courses in public health and life sciences. All programs are taught in English and have an international focus, include 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 level of the course or program you want to apply to. 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, there is an additional math requirement where 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 in addition to the general requirements. They are often related to the field of study – for example, an economics course may require excellent knowledge of mathematics.

• Sweden has one of the highest standard of living and people are very open, it is one of the most liberal countries in Europe (and in the world). Yes, the prices of some goods may seem high, but the experience of traveling and living in this unusual country will still be wonderful.
• Swedes are obsessed with order: this means that buses and trains will arrive on time, and most things will work as planned weeks in advance. While some may find it boring, for others who grew up in a chaotic society, it's a welcome change!
• 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, which is unheard of in most other parts of the world. 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.

Higher education in Stockholm can cost between 7,000 EUR and 25,500 EUR per year for a bachelor's/master's degree program, while specialized courses such as MBA can cost up to 30,000 EUR per year. Below are the tuition fee 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 €.