Study in Sweden

Sweden is a leading destination for Bangladeshi students, offering a diverse range of English-taught programmes, particularly at master’s level. With globally recognized universities, strong research environments and an international academic culture, Sweden provides an attractive setting for students seeking high-quality higher education and global opportunities. Bangladeshi students can explore two important funding opportunities: the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals and Pioneering Women in STEM, available to eligible applicants. For higher-education residence permits, applicants applying in 2026 must demonstrate financial maintenance of at least SEK 10,656 per month. Rankings cited in this guide are from the QS World University Rankings 2027 and QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, where specified. This guide features 10 best Swedish universities of interest to international students, including applicants from Bangladesh. Universities are considered based on international reputation, academic strengths, English-taught programmes, scholarships, research and international relevance. Top 10 Swedish Universities 1. Lund University Founded in 1666, Lund University is one of Northern Europe’s oldest and most comprehensive universities. It has around 46,000 students from more than 130 countries, giving it a highly international environment. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Lund University is ranked 71st globally. Lund University conducts research in diverse areas, including environmental science, geography, physics, life sciences and medicine. The Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM) offers English-taught programmes in business, economics and management and holds Triple Crown accreditation — AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. The university is also known for its traditional student-nation system, with 13 student nations playing a central role in student life. Located in the historic university city of Lund, the university’s campuses are closely connected with the city. Lund is also closely connected to major research infrastructures in the region, including MAX IV and the European Spallation Source (ESS). Lund University offers 10 Bachelor’s and more than 130 Master’s programmes taught in English. For non-EU/EEA students, annual tuition fees typically range from SEK 110,000 to SEK 210,000, depending on the programme. Eligible students may explore Lund University Global Scholarships and, where applicable, Swedish Institute scholarship opportunities. 2. KTH Royal Institute of Technology Established in 1827, KTH Royal Institute of Technology is one of Sweden’s principal universities for engineering and technology. It has more than 15,000 full-time students and an international community. KTH is internationally recognised for its academic and research excellence. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, it ranks 82nd globally. Its QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 positions include 20th in Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, 20th in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 24th in Materials Science, and 44th in Architecture and Built Environment. KTH collaborates with organisations, including Ericsson and Scania, and participates in European innovation networks, such as EIT Digital and EIT InnoEnergy. KTH offers 62 master’s programmes taught entirely in English, as well as an English-taught Bachelor’s Programme in Information and Communication Technology. Its academic strengths span engineering, computer science, information technology, architecture and sustainable development. For international students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, annual tuition fees at KTH typically range from SEK 145,000 to SEK 210,000. Eligible students may also explore funding options such as the KTH Scholarship and the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals. 3. Uppsala University Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is Sweden’s oldest university and one of the oldest in Sweden and the Nordic region. It comprises nine faculties across three disciplinary domains and has more than 50,000 students. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Uppsala University is ranked 87th globally, while the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 places it 32nd worldwide. The Uppsala Biomedical Center (BMC) supports education and research in areas including biology, pharmacy, chemistry, medicine and related life sciences. Uppsala also offers education and research in the humanities and social sciences. Uppsala University maintains exchange agreements with universities worldwide. For international students, the university offers a small number of English-taught Bachelor’s programmes and around 120 Master’s programmes. Non-EU/EEA students generally pay tuition fees of SEK 49,500 to SEK 90,000 per semester, depending on the programme. Eligible Bangladeshi applicants may apply for relevant scholarships from the Swedish Institute or Uppsala University, depending on the programme and scholarship criteria. The SI Pioneering Women in STEM scholarship is available to eligible Bangladeshi women applying to designated STEM Master’s programmes. 4. Stockholm University Founded in 1878, Stockholm University has around 30,000 students and is organized into four faculties: Humanities, Law, Social Sciences and Science. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Stockholm University ranks 167th globally. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, it ranks 30th globally in Social Policy and Administration, 35th in Environmental Sciences and 45th in Geography. The university also conducts research on the Baltic Sea and climate. Stockholm University offers more than 100 master’s programmes taught in English, covering science, humanities, social sciences and law. Tuition is normally SEK 90,000 per year for Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, and SEK 140,000 per year for Science. Eligible Bangladeshi students can explore Swedish Institute scholarship opportunities, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria, including work experience requirements. Stockholm University also offers the Stockholm University Scholarship Scheme for eligible fee-paying Master’s students admitted through the first international admission round; the scholarship covers tuition fees but does not provide funding for living expenses. 5. Chalmers University of Technology Founded in 1829, Chalmers University of Technology is one of Sweden’s leading technical universities. Since 1994, it has operated as a private, non-profit foundation university. Chalmers has strong links with industry, with partners including Volvo, Ericsson and SKF. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Chalmers ranks 174th globally. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, it ranks 57th in Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering, 77th in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and 78th in Materials Science. Chalmers operates campuses in Johanneberg and Lindholmen in Gothenburg, with Lindholmen serving as a hub for education, research and collaboration. It offers a wide range of English-taught Master’s programmes across fields including engineering, computer science, architecture, biotechnology, physics, and industrial engineering and management. Eligible fee-paying

Sweden has long been one of the most attractive study destinations for international students, and an increasing number of Bangladeshi students are choosing Sweden for its world-class universities, high quality of life, and welcoming immigration framework. What makes Sweden particularly compelling for many applicants from Bangladesh is something most other top study destinations do not offer as readily: the genuine possibility of bringing your family with you.This guide covers the dependent visa process, financial requirements, your spouse’s work rights, healthcare and registration after arrival, and the most recent policy changes as of June 2026, drawing on official information from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), and the Swedish Government (Regeringen). Can International Students Bring Their Family to Sweden? Yes. Students enrolled in Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral programmes can bring eligible family members; spouses, cohabiting or registered partners, and unmarried children under 18. Family members of students in upper secondary or other non-degree programmes cannot apply under this route. A family member can generally only be granted a permit if the student has a reasonable amount of time remaining on their own permit when the family application is made. Why Study in Sweden with Family? Unlike many European countries, Sweden does not require the student to be earning a salary, only that basic financial maintenance can be demonstrated. The accompanying spouse’s residence permit currently includes the right to work with no separate permit, no restriction on hours or sector, and the same labor protections as Swedish workers, provided the permit is granted under the rules in force at the time, which is exactly why the timing discussion later in this guide matters. Children get free access to Swedish public schools regardless of nationality. And Sweden consistently ranks among the top countries globally for quality of life, safety, and public services. The Application Process for a Spouse from Bangladesh Required Documents Valid passport of the spouse, with certified copies Marriage certificate or marriage record, translated into Swedish or English by a qualified translator, following Migrationsverket’s current document requirements Bank statements or other evidence of arranged financial maintenance For children: birth certificates naming both parents and a valid passport Applying at the Same Time as the Student vs. Applying Afterwards There are two distinct routes:Applying simultaneously: if your spouse has already decided to join you from the start, each family member submits their own application form alongside your own student permit application, to the same embassy. Applying afterwards: if you decide later that you want your spouse to join you, they submit a separate application once you already hold your own permit in Sweden; officially, this is called applying retroactively. The student must still have enough time left on their own permit when this later application is submitted. Typical Processing Times — and Why They Vary Considerably Migrationsverket cannot predict exact processing times for individual cases. Time depends on completeness, need for additional checks or interviews, involvement of other authorities, and overall workload. Published averages for student permits are usually shorter but apply only to that category, not family members. Family cases may be faster or take longer, especially if further verification of relationship or finances is needed. Always treat averages as indicative and allow extra time. Financial Evidence Migrationsverket’s 2026 maintenance requirement is SEK 4,440 per month for each accompanying adult and SEK 2,664 per month for each child. Provide clear documentation that funds are available and accessible, and be ready to explain large recent deposits if asked. Anticipated future earnings in Sweden are not accepted as proof. Common Reasons for Refusal Insufficient or untraceable financial evidence Incomplete documents or missing certified translations Marriage certificates that cannot be independently verified The student’s own permit not having enough time remaining The accompanying family member applying from within Sweden without first holding a valid permit obtained from abroad Where to Apply and What It Costs Bangladeshi nationals apply through Migrationsverket’s online e-service, then present a passport and biometric data at the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka. The current fee is SEK 1,500 per adult and SEK 750 per child. Finances Needed Overall For a student with a spouse and one child, the combined monthly minimum across all three permits is approximately SEK 17,760, but actual living costs in most university cities run higher, often SEK 22,000–30,000 per month for a family of three once rent, food, transport, and utilities are included. Prepare bank statements covering several months showing stable, accessible funds; documented income, scholarships, and savings can generally be combined to meet the requirement. Registering with the Tax Agency and Accessing Healthcare After Arrival Once your family arrives in Sweden with an approved residence permit, one of the first practical steps is registering with Skatteverket, the Swedish Tax Agency, not Migrationsverket. If your stay is expected to be one year or longer, you and your accompanying family members generally need to register in the Swedish population register (“folkbokföring”) in person, using your residence permit decision and passport. This registration assigns each of you a personal identity number (personnummer), which becomes the identifier used for almost everything in daily Swedish life: opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, signing a lease, and activating BankID. If your total stay will be under one year, you may instead be issued a temporary “coordination number” rather than a full personnummer. Healthcare access is tied directly to this registration. Once you and your accompanying family member are in the population register and hold a personnummer, you become entitled to subsidized healthcare on broadly the same basis as Swedish residents, through your regional healthcare provider. Until that registration is complete, or if your total time in Sweden will be under one year, you should maintain comprehensive private health insurance until your registration and healthcare eligibility are confirmed, which Migrationsverket checks as part of the permit conditions. In practice, this means arranging insurance before arrival and keeping it in place until your personnummer is confirmed, even if you expect that to happen quickly. Can the Spouse

Sweden is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality higher education system, strong research environment, and emphasis on innovation, equality, and academic development. For Bangladeshi students, it provides an opportunity to study in a well-structured and internationally recognized education system that can support both further studies and long-term career development.However, immigration and residence permit rules in Sweden are subject to change over time. The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for setting and updating these requirements. As a result, applicants are advised to review the most recent official guidelines before applying to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date information. Financial Requirement Updated Maintenance Fund Amount The maintenance requirement is one of the most important conditions for getting a Swedish student residence permit. According to the Swedish Migration Agency’s official page for higher education applications, the monthly amount you must demonstrate has been updated for 2026.If you apply in 2026, you must show at least SEK 10,656 per month in available funds. This is an increase from SEK 10,584 per month, which applied to those who applied in 2025. These figures come directly from Migrationsverket’s published requirements for first- and second-cycle study residence permits.This monthly figure must cover your entire permit period. So, if you are applying for a one-year permit, you need to show total funds equivalent to at least SEK 10,656 multiplied by the number of months for which you are applying. You can reduce this monthly amount if your university provides free housing or free food. Specifically, for 2026 applicants, the reduction is SEK 4,736 per month for free housing and SEK 2,960 per month for free food. These reductions must be supported by a formal letter from the university confirming such provision. Bank Statement Rules Not all bank accounts or fund types are accepted. Migrationsverket is specific about what qualifies. Your bank statement must be issued no more than four months before the date on which you want the residence permit to take effect. For example, if you want your permit to start on 1 September, your bank statement must be dated no earlier than 1 May.The bank statement must clearly show the account holder’s name, the bank’s name, the date of issue, the account balance, and the currency. Credit lines, funds, shares, and assets held in microfinance banks are not accepted. Fixed or locked deposits that will remain frozen during your permit period also do not qualify. Only liquid funds that you can freely access are counted.This is a common point of failure for Bangladeshi applicants. Many students submit FDR receipts or present family savings that are in another person’s name. If the money comes from a relative, it must first be transferred to an account in your own name before you apply. Sponsorship Rules Sweden does allow sponsorship as a form of financial maintenance, but with strict conditions. A sponsor must be an institution, such as a university, a well-established company, or an official organization. Private individuals, including parents or other family members, cannot act as sponsors under Migrationsverket’s rules. Money from family members must be transferred to your own account and documented as personal bank assets.If you have a scholarship, it can count toward the maintenance requirement. The scholarship letter must state the provider’s name, your name as the recipient, the duration and purpose of the scholarship, the total amount, and a breakdown of what portion covers living expenses. A partial scholarship combined with personal bank assets is also acceptable, as you can combine different sources of funding to meet the total requirement. Dependent Visa Policy Can Students Bring Dependents? Yes, students can bring family members to Sweden. However, financial responsibility is a key condition. According to Migrationsverket, if your family applies with you or later joins you in Sweden, you must demonstrate additional funds beyond your own maintenance requirement. The additional monthly amounts, as published by the Agency for 2026 applicants, are SEK 4,440 per month for a spouse or cohabiting partner and SEK 2,664 per month for each accompanying child.Family members who are granted a permit alongside a student permit holder include spouses, registered partners, cohabiting partners, and children under the age of 18. If a family member decides to join later, they must submit a separate application. Rules for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students There is no difference in Swedish migration rules for bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD students who want to bring their family members. The same rules for bringing family members apply to all students.The main difference is usually financial. Bachelor’s students often rely on personal savings, while many master’s and PhD students receive scholarships, stipends, or income from work, which can help them meet the financial requirements.Students must show that they have enough funds for the residence permit period they are applying for. For longer study programmes, they may need to provide updated proof of funds when extending their permit.Family members may also be able to use their own available funds to help meet the maintenance requirement. The Swedish Migration Agency reviews the financial documents submitted and assesses whether the required financial criteria have been met. Work Rights During Study This is one of the most significant policy updates in 2026. The Swedish Parliament decided on new rules for student residence permits in May 2026, which will take effect from 11 June 2026. These changes include new limits on how much students can work alongside their studies, along with stricter study progress requirements and new reporting obligations. Part-Time Work During Semesters The good news is that during the summer months of June, July, and August, students may work without any hour restrictions. This gives Bangladeshi students a genuine opportunity to earn, save, and gain work experience during the summer break without jeopardizing their permit. Exceptions to the 15-Hour Cap Certain types of work are exempt from the 15-hour limit. If your work involves education, student representation, university administration, a traineeship, research, or artistic research, and it takes place at or is connected to your enrolled university or