Language courses in Sweden for international students

Courses at Stockholm University

These have been running for more than forty years, based at one of the most prestigious, respected, and oldest universities in the country. There are programs for adults, students, and senior school students. Accommodation and meals are organized on university campuses, which are notable for their comfort, safety, and coziness. In summer, a co-branded language camp operates. In addition to academic language training, business courses and various options for children and teenagers are offered, as well as sports English.

Lund University

Offers various program formats: from preparation for entrance exams to individual business courses and group classes for teenagers and adults. There are specific offerings such as business correspondence or conducting negotiations by phone.

Kristianstad University

Courses are available here for students over 16 of varying intensity and focus. Among other things, quite specific courses are offered, such as an intensive course for merchant marine sailors or public transport drivers.

Despite the fact that English has never held official status in Sweden, teaching this language has remained the most important component of the school curriculum for more than a hundred years — ever since it displaced German as the first foreign language. According to statistics, 66% of Swedes are fluent in English, and another 22% have a confident command of it and are able to hold simple everyday conversations or read with a dictionary. On the 2025 English Proficiency Index, Sweden scored 609 points (against a global average of 488) and ranked 8th in the global rankings, gaining 11 points over its previous score. So it should come as no surprise that teaching at Swedish language schools and universities is conducted at a very high level, which sets a high quality bar for teaching staff. This affects the quality of both the programs and the teachers, including on courses: regardless of whether you choose British or American English, you can be confident that there will be no problems with grammar, vocabulary, or phonetics. In 70% of cases, the more in-demand American variant is taught, due to a number of specific factors.

When adults decide to go study in Sweden to learn business English or to prepare for admission to higher education, they get an excellent opportunity to gain an up-to-date understanding of current trends in economics and education, and can master American English — a more flexible variant that reflects modern specifics, business vocabulary, and slang. That is precisely why language courses in Sweden for Russian speakers are a great option for those who need a modern, high-quality education.

Between countries where English is a native language and all others, there are, as a rule, significant differences in teaching methodology. Preference is usually given to speaking and listening, and only afterward do learners move on to working on grammar: it is considered that pronunciation cannot be mastered on one's own and requires especially thorough practice. Interaction with students from other countries will help to better understand in which areas learners experience difficulties, and to make coordinated efforts to overcome them.

Structurally, courses in Sweden are no different from others: learners are divided into groups depending on their level of language proficiency, which is determined through testing, or less often, through an interview with the student. Much depends on the type of program and its duration (which can vary widely — from one week to six months, and in rare cases, longer).

• Summer courses in English language learning in Sweden are intended for Swedes and expats of various ages (the minimum age, as a rule, is 9-10 years old). Classes are held on the premises of major international schools and higher education institutions. Here you will get the opportunity to improve your level of English, get to know Swedish landmarks, engage in sports and tourism, without forgetting about hobbies along the way. A number of programs are aimed at senior high school students intending to enter top foreign universities or take the TOEFL, English language testing or other exams.
• Close to the summer courses are the year-round courses for foreign children and teenagers: this format includes both academic preparation programs and less universal ones aimed at exam preparation. As a rule, these are intended for teenagers over 15 years old.
• Winter courses are less common: 20–40 hours of intensive language study over the course of one or two weeks. In their free time, students explore the surrounding area, visit the capital and other major cities, and go skiing. Here the age range usually varies from 10 to 18 years old.
• The adult option is year-round language courses (though listeners can sometimes be teenagers aged 15+). They differ in intensity level, purpose (business, a narrow functional profile, exam preparation), and duration.
• Finally, there are family programs: this is an excellent solution for families with young children who feel uncomfortable about the idea of sending them to study abroad. Family programs are, as a rule, organized by international schools and have a number of特征 related to accommodation, meals, and education. De facto, the parents study alongside their children, following their own packed program. Leisure time, rest, excursions, and entertainment activities are organized together.

The main goal of a modern progressive English language course is to help you learn a foreign language quickly and effectively, followed by the issuance of a handsome diploma. However, alongside the main goal, several additional ones can be identified; their combination will differ from case to case, as will the programs themselves.

In every situation, the most in-demand and popular courses are the standard ones, which combine easily and fairly effectively with recreational, entertainment, cultural, and sports activities, both tourism-oriented and more general. This scenario is a chance not only to brush up on the language, but also to have a great time, especially during the holidays or on vacation.

If your goals are more ambitious, you should look at intensive language courses in Sweden for Russians: more classes, less free time. A challenge for the bold and persistent!

If an expat student is interested in advancing professionally, the numerous network language schools specifically offer business English courses, TOEFL preparation programs and other international exams, as well as general courses aimed at preparing for admission to an international school or higher education institution.

There is a stereotype that English for adults in Sweden is unaffordable, that the cost is too high. In reality, things aren't nearly so dramatic, and the price in question varies within a wide range.

What can affect the price?

1. First of all, it is the type of program. General programs, naturally, cost less than specialized, intensive, or preparatory ones.
2. Location. Most of the options are concentrated in the capital, with somewhat fewer offerings in other major cities; these are either courses of not very high level, or, conversely, ones that exist at universities or prestigious international schools.
3. The seasonality factor is very important: in summer and during the holiday period, the cost of study is, as a rule, one and a half to two times higher.
4. Finally, last but not least is the question of logistics: accommodation, transportation costs, pocket money, the cost of the flight, and related travel expenses. Students need to eat something, and on top of that Stockholm has museums, theaters, and other cultural and entertainment venues that are extremely appealing to everyone.

The most budget-friendly options start from 1,500-2,000 euros per week of study. In the case of intensives or specialized classes aimed at preparing for higher education, the cost can double or even triple. During the holiday period, you'll have to deal with a 30-50% markup.

By going to study English in this Scandinavian country, you will not only significantly improve your language proficiency, but also immerse yourself in a unique, very interesting, and rich environment with a vivid and distinctive culture. The Swedes are called the most interesting people in Scandinavia, and the local nature, for all its melancholy, is very diverse and able to satisfy everyone: there are low but quite suitable mountains for skiing, virgin forests, blooming meadows, babbling brooks, and lakes with crystal-clear water.

Learning English at language courses in Sweden is not only interesting but also useful: since this language is not native to the country, it provides an invaluable opportunity to look at the language as a structure from the outside and appreciate its beauty and distinctiveness.

Among all the countries of the European Union, education in Sweden stands out for its meticulous and holistic approach to everything related to languages. This applies equally to international and national public and independent schools, as well as to courses. As a rule, such organizations are excellently equipped, and the teachers have the highest qualifications, which, combined with a multinational community of students from all over the world, contributes to fast, easy, and interesting learning, the establishment of horizontal connections, and new acquaintances.

It is important to note that the Swedes are very hospitable and friendly towards all foreigners, so language courses in Sweden for Russians will be an excellent choice for anyone.

Alongside international networks that teach using uniform methodologies, there are also a large number of proprietary courses here. As a rule, they are aimed at foreigners, but are open to everyone.

Laura Galindo

Marketing Director

What are the most important factors parents should consider when choosing a school?

That the school treats each student as an individual, not as a source of income. Unfortunately, there are educational institutions for which the main priority is selling programs, and they lose sight of the fact that this is a big step for students and their families. Setting off on a new journey to a new country can be scary, so support from staff and students is vital for successful study abroad. 

Accommodation is an integral part of studying on a language course program in Sweden. As a rule, this can mean dormitories or family-type residences, or host families (which is relevant for teenagers and will allow them not only to improve their English but also to start speaking Swedish: two languages are better than one). In addition, students can rent an apartment or a room. The number of rental offers is quite significant.

It's important to remember that, in addition to the monthly cost you'll have to pay for the apartment itself, you will also need to pay for utilities.

A few simple tips for finding housing:

• You can turn to the company organizing the courses for assistance: as a rule, they have an agreement with one of the firms handling student accommodation, or a list of recommended accredited dormitories/landlords.
• Don't forget to ask friends who have already been to the country: they probably know of good and affordable housing.
• A good option is websites where people look for temporary tenants in exchange for watering plants, walking dogs, or house-sitting.

In addition to paying for tuition itself, students should plan ahead for everyday living expenses. According to estimates, total living costs run to about 10,656 SEK a month — roughly 980 euros or $1,130. This amount can be considered the minimum average budget for a single student. The main expense categories break down as follows:

• housing rental — from 3,000 to 7,000 SEK a month, more expensive in major cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg,
• textbooks — around 750 SEK a month,
• student union fee — from 50 to 350 SEK.

According to Numbeo data for 2026, monthly expenses for a single person excluding rent come to about 10,325.7 SEK, and for a family of four — about 38,279.7 SEK. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around 145 SEK, with a typical price range of 110 to 200 SEK.

Student housing is snapped up fastest in the big cities — Stockholm and Gothenburg — and in the traditional student towns of Lund and Uppsala. In smaller towns it's easier to find a room. A common type of accommodation is the corridor-style dormitory, where a single corridor holds 10–15 single rooms sharing a kitchen and living room.

The entry procedure depends on the length of the course: if the trip for language courses takes less than three months, a short-term visa is usually enough, but if the study period will last longer than three months, a residence permit is arranged in advance, before arrival in the country. To obtain a residence permit, you need to be enrolled in full-time accredited study and make the first payment for tuition. Reviewing the application takes several months, so documents should be submitted well in advance. Those who stay in Sweden for more than a year will need to register in the population register and obtain a personal number, which opens access to banking and government services.