Study Destination Sweden

A Great Choice for Mexican Students!

October 2008, Mexico City

Sweden• Summers are mild and winters can be cold• Member of the European Union since 1995• Has not been at war since 1814• Swedes are internationally oriented and speak English• Home of the Nobel Prize• A new immigrant nation – close to 20 % of the population is

of foreign origin. Increased by almost 25 % between 1996 and 2006

Many successful Swedish brands

Source: Invest in Sweden Agency

Sweden – some comments:Newsweek on Sweden:“ A high tech nirvana populated by fit

armies of Internet explorers and early adopters unafraid of the next new thing.”

Business Week on Sweden:“A talent Mecca for key technologies.”

Sweden – some comments: “It is investments in universities and research that have contributed to Sweden’s and America’s technical lead.”

Bill Gates, Microsoft

Higher education in Sweden

•First Swedish university founded in 1477 •42 institutions of higher education, most are

public, a few private•A variety of old and new multi-faculty

universities, specialized institutions and smaller university colleges with local profiles

•Swedish universities are active partners in international networks — Erasmus Mundus

Higher education in Sweden, continued

•Over 540 Master's programmes are taught in English – open to free movers – 1- 2 years

•Student-centered education designed to promote social as well as intellectual development

•Rigorous quality control and nationally certified degrees•Close cooperation between industry and academia•Encourages investigative research and independent

thinking•Today: Tuition is fully subsidized by the state for all

students•Future: There are proposals on placing fees for non-EU

students

New Degree Structure

Foreign students in Sweden • High share of foreign students in advanced level education:

approx. 50 % in two-year master’s programs and 40 % in one-year master’s programs (prelim 2007)

• More than 80 different nationalities• The relationship between teachers and students are more

informal than in many other countries. Students are active and express their own views. Group work is also common.

• Foreign students may work during the stay (subject to conditions)

• It can be difficult to find work without knowledge of Swedish• Student’s need funding to cover costs when applying for study

visa

International master’s programs

•One or two-year master programs

•Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) required including relevant subjects; good skills in English, both written and oral, documented by means of an internationally approved test (e.g. TOEFL)

•Good grades and letters of recommendation normally needed. Applications should be made well in advance

Residence permits and costs • When applying for a residence permit for studies, a letter of

admission from a Swedish university / University college is needed

• Applicants must also show that they will have min. SEK 7,300 (approx 1,000 USD - October 2008) per month at their disposal for 10 months per year

• Residence permits are granted for one year at a time

Scholarships• Mexican students are eligible for Guest Scholarship Program

but only a small number of grants are available • Erasmus Mundus Programs – Selected European Joint Master

Programs offer scholarships for students outside Europe. • Further information:

Adam Boltjes: adam.boltjes@foreign.ministry.se Tel. 9178 5010