Applications for bachelor’s and master’s programmes starting in autumn 2027 are handled centrally through University Admissions in Sweden. The first admissions round opened on 16 October 2026 and closes on 15 January 2027. This guide covers the key dates, fees, entry requirements and residence permit basics.
Most applicants to Swedish universities apply through universityadmissions.se, the national admissions service. For the autumn 2027 semester there are two rounds, and the first is the one aimed mainly at international applicants.
All deadlines end at midnight Central European Time on the date shown, so plan for your own time zone.
A second round opens on 15 March 2027, with an application deadline of 15 April 2027 and a fee deadline of 23 April 2027. Documentation for this round is due on 21 June 2027, results are published on 9 July 2027 and the last day to reply to an offer is 16 July 2027. Not every programme takes part in this round, and international applicants who need a residence permit have much less time to arrange it, so the first round is the safer choice.
The application fee is 900 Swedish kronor, paid once per application period, however many courses or programmes you select. University Admissions explains that citizens of countries outside the European Union generally pay both application and tuition fees, with some exceptions.
You do not pay if you:
Other exemptions exist, for example for certain family members and long-term residents, and they must be documented by the fee deadline. The service does not set tuition levels: each university publishes its own fees on the programme page, so check the amount before you rank your choices.
After you submit your electronic application, you must document your previous studies and your English language skills, and the sooner you do so the better. For master’s level you need a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen from an internationally recognised university, and English is always a specific entry requirement.
Most master’s programmes ask for the level known as English 6, although a few require English 5 or English 7, so read the programme description. In the IELTS Academic test, English 6 means an overall score of 6.5 with no section below 5.5. Other tests are accepted, and some applicants can meet the requirement through earlier studies. The English language requirements page lists the accepted options.
The Swedish Institute runs scholarships for master’s students from selected countries. Eligibility depends on your citizenship, your work experience and the programme you choose, and only programmes on the Institute’s official eligible list can be applied for. Dates and conditions change between cycles, so read the current call on the Swedish Institute website before you plan around it.
Citizens of EU and EEA countries with a right of residence do not need a residence permit to live in Sweden. Students from other countries will in most cases need one. The Swedish Migration Agency advises applying as soon as you receive your admission decision, and the permit must be issued before you travel. If you owe tuition, it must be paid before you apply for the permit, and you count as finally admitted only once you have paid.
For applicants in 2026 the agency requires proof of at least SEK 10,656 per month to support yourself, compared with SEK 10,584 for those who applied in 2025. Check the Migration Agency’s study page for the figure that applies when you apply.
For an overview of other destinations, see our Studying in Europe section, and our Study guide covers the practical side of studying abroad.
Apply by 15 January 2027 for the first round, pay the 900 kronor fee and send your documents by 1 February 2027 if the fee applies to you, and expect master’s results on 1 April 2027. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens pay no fees, while other applicants should check tuition early and allow time for a residence permit.
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