The picture we Bangladeshis have of Sweden is coniferous forests and the Nobel Prize. Indeed, these two do a decent job at summing up the education prospects there – technology and forestry.
Sweden is most often dubbed as a land of innovations, facilitated by its GDP allocation on research and development. The average tuition fees for international students in Swedish universities range from Tk10-15 lakh/academic year[1], less than some of the more popular destinations.
Statistically, social sciences, business and law are the most popular types of majors, followed by health and technology[2]. However social studies, psychology or marketing are discouraged owing to an expectation of fluency in Swedish for jobs. Hence, international students opt for tech, medicine and architecture/design majors.
Master’s and doctoral programs are more sought after than bachelor programs due to the wide range of options for specialisations provided. Here are some of the most affordable universities filtered by major and quality:
Chalmers University of Technology
Specialisation: Engineering
Average Tuition Fee: Tk16.8 lakh/year[3]
QS World Ranking: 129th
One of the most popular tech destinations in Sweden according to annual public surveys, Chalmers University boasts an impressive ranking within an affordable fee. Founded to educate poor children, the institute now focuses intensively on research programs. Located in Gothenburg, the 2nd biggest city in Sweden, the university has majors in Industrial Design, Nuclear Engineering, Marine Engineering etc. within the top 50 worldwide rankings by Edurank[4]. Its architecture programs are priced on a higher end. Learn more from: https://www.chalmers.se/en/
Lund University
Specialisation: Biological Science
Average Tuition Fee: Tk17 lakh/year[5]
QS World Ranking: 85th
One-third of all international students in Sweden get enrolled in Lund. The higher acceptance rate does not trade off quality as it is ranked high in an array of majors. Programs like biotechnology, zoology, microbiology, optometry, neurosurgery, public health etc. are ranked in the worldwide top 50 in Edurank[6]. It is also the alma mater of Carolus Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy. Learn more from: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/home
Stockholm School of Economics
Specialisation: Business
Average Tuition Fee: Tk18 lakh/year[7]
QS World Ranking: 56th (by subject)
Located in the capital city Stockholm, it is one of the leading business schools in Europe. It offers 9 two-year postgraduate programs. Masters in Finance, International Business, Economics, Business & Management, and Accounting, Valuation & Financial Management are programs that offer MSc degrees. BSc degrees are provided in Business & Economics and Retail Management programs, both of which cost TK12 lakh/year for 3 years. Learn more from: https://www.hhs.se/en/
Choice based primarily on affordability also depends on plans after completion. Some institutes give specialised degrees at more affordable rates – like Dalarna University for business, but might limit international job opportunities as the reference point would be world rankings.
Scandinavian peace, no matter how relatively affordable, comes at a price. But that is when scholarship opportunities come in.