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Stockholm University in the capital of Sweden is characterised by its openness, innovation and collaboration. The university was founded in 1878 with the ambition to reinvent higher education in Sweden.
Education and research are closely linked at the University, which is one of Sweden’s largest establishments of higher education with 30,000 students and 5,000 employees.
Stockholm University has over 65 departments and fifteen research institutes and centres, and offers 75 master’s programmes and three bachelor’s programmes taught in English within science, the humanities, social sciences and law. We also offer Swedish language programmes.
Located in the Royal National City Park of Stockholm, you’ll find the centre of Stockholm with its dynamic city life only a few stops away from the campus area.
Four Nobel Laureates in Chemistry, and the appointment of the world’s first female professor of Mathematics in 1889, mark the university’s proud history.
Our researchers are leading contributors to the development of scientific research and our society, and participate as experts in both scientific and public international bodies; most prominently as members of the Nobel Prize committees who select the Nobel Prize winners each year.
www.su.se/study
Rankings: The 15 best universities in Sweden for 2021/2022
Sweden has long held a reputation of being one of the most modern, advanced countries in Europe. With its unique blend of academic quality, a welcoming and open-minded society, and its remarkable quality of life, Sweden is among the most popular places for students who want to study abroad. No wonder that Sweden also regularly scores high in the Study.EU Country Ranking for International Students.
In the table below, you can see how universities in Sweden fare in different international rankings. Five of these institutions make it into the world’s top 100 almost every year: Karolinska Institute (a medical school), Uppsala University, Lund University, Stockholm University, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. For a small country like Sweden, that is a remarkable score. And it is proof that university students who pursue a Bachelor or Master degree in Sweden have made a great choice for their academic and professional careers.
Top ranked universities in Sweden
| University | QS Ranking 2021 | THE Ranking 2021 | ARWU Ranking 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lund University | 97 | 103 | 151 |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | 98 | 201 | 201 |
| Uppsala University | 124 | 111 | 77 |
| Chalmers University of Technology | 139 | 201 | 301 |
| Stockholm University | 181 | 183 | 69 |
| University of Gothenburg | 202 | 191 | 101 |
| Umeå University | 333 | 351 | 401 |
| Linköping University | 362 | 401 | 301 |
| Karlstad University | – | 801 | – |
| Karolinska Institutet | – | 36 | 45 |
Study In Stockholm
Stockholm for students
The capital of Sweden, Stockholm is known for its beauty, friendliness, culture, high quality of life – and high quality of universities. Stockholm is ranked 22nd in the world for desirability, reflecting the city’s high standards of living and its popularity amongst students.
As for universities in Stockholm, the city’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University both make the world’s top 200 in the QS World University Rankings® 2022.
Stockholm ranks an impressive eighth in the student view indicator this year, with one student saying: “The tolerant, progressive ideology that the people of Sweden have is my favourite aspect of the city”.
With a high employer activity ranking, students also praise the employment prospects available in Stockholm after graduation, saying that it’s nice to be “so close to many innovative companies”.
Best universities in Stockholm – QS Best Student Cities ranking: 23rd
| Ranking | Institution |
| 89th | KTH Royal Institute of Technology |
| 148th | Stockholm University |
More about Stockholm
| Number of universities ranked by QS | 2 |
| Highest-ranked institution | KTH Royal Institute of Technology (joint 89th) |
| Population | 1,633,000 |
| Average international fees (at ranked unis) | US$17,400 |
| Desirability rank | 22nd |
| Employer Activity rank | 24th |
| Affordability rank | 97th |
| Student View rank | =8th |
Why study in Stockholm?
Good job prospects for graduates
Stockholm ranks 24th in the employer activity indicator, boasting great job prospects for graduates – particularly in the services industry.
High standards of living
Stockholm enjoys a high quality of life, as indicated in its high score for desirability.
Excellent education standards
Both of Stockholm’s universities rank within the top 150, including Stockholm’s highest ranked university, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, in 89th.
Cost of studying in Stockholm
Ranked 97th for affordability, Stockholm’s low score in this indicator is accounted for by its high tuition fees. Tuition fees at universities in Stockholm average at around US$17,400 per year for international students.
Numbeo estimates that a single person’s monthly costs are around £780, plus an additional £1,130 for a single bedroom apartment in the city centre.
Life & culture in Stockholm
Built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, the Swedish capital is also characterised by the fact that water is never far away.
Most visitors to Stockholm start by exploring the cobbled streets of the city’s well-preserved medieval origins, a boat trip around the archipelago (island group) surrounding the main islands, or a visit to one of the many museums and galleries.
As a student, you’ll also have plenty of opportunity to explore Stockholm’s buzzing nightlife, bohemian shops and cafés, or perhaps just take a break from studies by relaxing in the parklands of Djurgården Island.
Careers in Stockholm
Stockholm scores incredibly well this year in the employer activity indicator, ranking 24th globally. If you’re looking to stay on in Stockholm after graduation, it would benefit you to learn to speak Swedish. Even if jobs don’t explicitly say you need to know Swedish, employers expect you to know at least some.
Around 85 percent of jobs in Stockholm are in the service industry, but there are also a significant number of tech start-ups. Stockholm is also known for its finance and fashion industries.
QS World University Rankings 2021
| World Rank ▲ ▼ | Institution ▲ ▼ | Country ▲ ▼ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 97▼ | Lund University | ||
| 2 | 98= | KTH – Royal Institute of Technology | ||
| 3 | 124▼ | Uppsala University | ||
| 4 | 139▲ | Chalmers University of Technology | ||
| 5 | 181▲ | Stockholm University | ||
| 6 | 202▲ | Göteborg University | ||
| 7 | 333▲ | Umea University | ||
| 8 | 362▼ | Linkoping University |
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