Some of the best universities in Sweden are in historic cities like Uppsala, a medieval university town, and Stockholm, the cultural center of Sweden. Located in Northern Europe, Sweden is a fascinating country known for the cleanest cities in the world. This guide gives you a list of the best schools in Sweden that cover a broad range of academic programs and advanced degree programs.
Sweden’s educational system focuses on students’ academic interests above other things. According to Times Higher Education, numerous Sweden schools ranked in the top 300. We tell you about the top universities in Sweden, acclaimed universities, and the best educational institutions in the world.
What Attracts Students to Universities in Sweden?
Historic culture, progressive lifestyle, and beautiful scenery attracts students to Swedish universities. Although living costs in Sweden can be high, PhD programs are free for all international students and some Swedish universities have scholarship opportunities for international students. Swedish society generally reports that they have a good quality of life.
Even though courses are taught in English, studying in Sweden also gives international students a chance to learn the language. The admissions process is straightforward and offered in English, with similar entry requirements to US universities.
Students can also take a moment between studies to enjoy jazz festivals as well as the beautiful architecture, mountains, inland lakes, and stunning coastal islands. The older cities feature cobbled streets and there are areas of Sweden with extensive woodland for students to explore. If you get lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights.
Sweden Schools Ranked: An Overview
| Sweden Rank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
| 1 | 39 | 48 | Karolinska Institute |
| 2 | 116 | 95 | Lund University |
| 3 | 131 | 113 | Uppsala University |
| 4 | 176 | 123 | Stockholm University |
| 5 | 185 | 134 | University of Gothenburg |
| 6 | 201 | 212 | KTH Royal Institute of Technology |
| 7 | 251 | 339 | Chalmers University of Technology |
| 8 | 251 | 350 | Linköping University |
| 9 | 301 | 348 | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences |
| 10 | 351 | 335 | Umea University |
The Best Universities in Sweden, Explained
Nordic countries are known for their sustainable development culture and broad range of education. Independent bodies such as the Times Higher Education and the US News ranked the best universities in Sweden favorably. Read our list of the best schools in Sweden below, which we have researched using each school’s official website.
1. Karolinska Institute
- Campus Location(s): Stockholm
- Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- US News Country Rank: #48
Karolinska Institute, or Karolinska Institutet, is a prestigious university in Stockholm. It is the highest-ranking university in Sweden and is known for its medical school and health sciences faculty. It also tops the international rankings list for Swedish universities. It uses a unique teaching style that revolves around conducting research. The university has a low acceptance rate and a rigorous admission process.
2. Lund University
- Campus Location(s): Lund
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- US News Country Rank: #95
Lund University offers more than 100 master’s degree programs, 700 courses for extensive exchange program students, and nine bachelor’s degree programs. The city and school also offer a unique blend of academic societies, traditional student body organizations, and student unions. You can enjoy the rich Swedish culture and high academic quality at Lund University.
3. Uppsala University
- Campus Location(s): Uppsala
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- US News Country Rank: #113
Uppsala University is famous for awarding Alfred Nobel an honorary doctorate in 1893. This educational institution is renowned for its advanced degree and doctoral programs. Set in a rich cultural environment, this university offers over 100 international master’s degree programs.
The school has over 45,000 students and a sizable number of international students. The programs are taught in English and it offers humanities, science and technology, medicine, pharmacy, social sciences, and natural sciences programs.
4. Stockholm University
- Campus Location(s): Stockholm
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #123
Stockholm University is a high-ranking research university that aims to reinvent higher education. This university is perfect for international students who want to learn Swedish. Stockholm University has over 70 master’s degree programs, but only a few bachelor’s degree programs, in environmental sciences, social science, humanities, science, and law. The school also has 15 research institute centers.
5. University of Gothenburg
- Campus Location(s): Gothenburg
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- US News Country Rank: #134
The University of Gothenburg is a public university in Sweden and the third oldest educational institution in the region founded in 1891. Gothenburg University uses a semester-based calendar and is home to over 35,000 students including international students.
The university has eight academic divisions which include arts, science, economics and law, information technology, social sciences, applied and performing arts, education, and health sciences.
6. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Campus Location(s): Stockholm
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #212
This technical university was founded in 1827 and has become one of the best engineering and technical universities in Europe. Located in the largest city population-wise, the Royal Institute of Technology is also an important center for innovation and intellectual talent.
It has five campuses in Greater Stockholm, the capital city, and offers an excellent campus life for students. The university is smaller than most on this list, with only about 13,500 students. KTH Royal Institute of Technology focuses on the personal development of students, not just their grades.
7. Chalmers University of Technology
- Campus Location(s): Gothenburg
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- US News Country Rank: #339
The Chalmers University of Technology is another well-known university in Sweden. It is a research-intensive university located in Gothenburg. It has two campuses, 200 research groups, 11 departments, and at least 10,000 students from close to 70 nationalities. Students love to tour Gothenburg’s beautiful city center with its gothic buildings.
8. Linköping University
- Campus Location(s): Linköping
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #350
Toted as one of the largest universities, Linköping University offers a wide range of professional degree programs. These programs include economics, business, education, medicine, and engineering. It has four campuses, and three of them offer international programs. Linköping University also houses several research environments and undergraduate students get accommodations for one year.
9. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Campus Location(s): Uppsala
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #348
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is a reputable institution that offers education, research, and environmental assessment for sustainable life. The research-intensive university has more than 3,800 undergraduate students and many employees and professors.
Students enrolled in this university conduct their research at various stations, educational establishments, and experimental parks. This university offers life sciences degrees and doctoral degrees among its many reputable natural resources and agricultural sciences programs.
10. Umeå University
- Campus Location(s): Umeå
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #335
Umeå University is also one of the largest universities in Sweden with over 30,000 students. The modern university has 4,000 staff which includes researchers and teachers. Umeå University has a US-style campus where it teaches students in English. This is an excellent university for English speakers concerned about a language barrier.
How We Created Our List of the Best Schools in Sweden
In order to create our list, we followed the Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings. This ranking was created by evaluating teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry outcomes of over 1,600 institutions from around the world. Complementary information was retrieved from the US News Best National University Rankings.
Is a Top University in Sweden Right for You?
A top university in Sweden is right for you if you want to experience its progressive culture, beautiful landscapes, and high-quality education. Sweden has a long list of top universities to choose from business schools to industrial design to scientific institutions. Furthermore, the reputation of universities in Sweden is extremely favorable.
Sweden is a beautiful country with many sights and medieval towns to visit. The best universities in Sweden offer a unique teaching method to help students master their disciplines before completing their academic programs. Attending a top university in Sweden is also an ideal way to learn the local language.
Best Universities in Sweden FAQ
The most prestigious university in Sweden is the Karolinska Institute. This university is also one of the oldest institutions, with two campuses in different cities. The university is rated 39th by Times Higher Education and 48th by US News.
Sweden has outstanding universities and is a popular location for undergraduate and graduate studies. It is also a hub for international students because of its excellent reputation. Sweden also offers over 1,000 degree-programs in English, and the universities are tuition-free for students in the European Union.
Yes, this European country offers free university college education for citizens and members of EU countries. The Swedish government ensures that all state-funded institutions cannot charge tuition fees.
However, while non-EU students are required to pay their tuition fees in full, PhD degrees are free to all international students who wish to study in this Scandinavian country. Students, regardless of their nationality, may have to pay an application fee.
The largest university in Sweden is Stockholm University. Located in the capital city of Stockholm, this public university is known for its social sciences and natural sciences programs. It is also research-based and is open to students from different parts of the world.
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