Complete Guide to Study in Sweden from Bangladesh

Your Complete Guide to Applying, Living, Learning and Launching a Global Career in Sweden from Bangladesh

If you’re considering studying in Sweden from Bangladesh, you’re making a smart choice. Imagine studying in a country where innovation is a national identity, education is world-class, and you’re surrounded by stunning Nordic landscapes while building a global career. This is Sweden!

It offers unique advantages, which include cutting-edge research, English-taught programs, no tuition fees for PhD students, generous scholarships, work opportunities, and a quality of life that consistently ranks among the world’s best. Plus, with Sweden’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and equality, you’ll be learning in an environment that shapes future global leaders.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about making your journey from Bangladesh to Sweden for the 2026 intake and beyond, from choosing universities to securing visas and settling into Swedish life. Let’s dive in!

Why Study in Sweden from Bangladesh?

World-Class University Rankings

Sweden punches well above its weight in global education. With a population of just 10 million, Sweden hosts 8 universities in the global top 200 (QS World Rankings). For perspective, that’s more top-ranked universities per capita than the US, UK, or Australia.

English-Taught Programs

Over 1,000 English-taught master’s programs and numerous bachelor’s programs mean you don’t need Swedish language skills to study in Sweden from Bangladesh. This makes Sweden one of Europe’s most accessible destinations for international students.

Innovation in Swedish DNA

Sweden produces more billion-dollar startups per capita than anywhere except Silicon Valley. Companies like Spotify, Skype, Klarna, and Minecraft were born here. Studying in Sweden means learning in an ecosystem that turns ideas into global opportunities.

Post-Study Work Opportunities

After graduation, you may extend your resident permit to job-seek or work, increasing your global career potential. If you stay and work in Sweden for four years, you will get permanent residency. Simple and straightforward.

Affordable Compared to the UK/USA or Canada

Even after conversion, Sweden can be more budget-friendly than many Western study destinations.

Sustainability Leaders

If you care about climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable development, Sweden is the world’s laboratory. The country aims for zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and leads globally in green technology.

Quality of Life

Sweden consistently ranks in the global top 5  for quality of life, safety, healthcare, work-life balance, and gender equality. Stockholm, Uppsala, Lund, and Gothenburg offer vibrant student life with Nordic charm.

Top Swedish Universities: Where to Apply

When you apply to Sweden from Bangladesh, these institutions should be on your radar.

1. Lund University

• Global Ranking: #75 (QS 2025)
• Location: Lund (Southern Sweden, near Denmark)
• Strengths: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business, International Development
• Why Choose: Historic university town, strong international community, excellent research facilities
• Tuition: SEK 90,000-140,000/year (BDT ৳10.35-16.1 lakh)

2. KTH Royal Institute of Technology

• Global Ranking: #73 (QS 2025)
• Location: Stockholm
• Strengths: Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Computer Science
• Why Choose: Sweden’s top technical university, strong industry connections, Stockholm location
• Tuition: SEK 145,000-165,000/year (BDT ৳16.7-19 lakh)

3. Uppsala University

• Global Ranking: #105 (QS 2025)
• Location: Uppsala (45 minutes from Stockholm)
• Strengths: Life Sciences, Medicine, Social Sciences, Humanities
• Why Choose: Sweden’s oldest university (1477), beautiful campus, strong research output
• Tuition: SEK 90,000-140,000/year (BDT ৳10.35-16.1 lakh)

4. University of Gothenburg

• Global Ranking: #187 (QS 2025)
• Location: Gothenburg (West coast)
• Strengths: Environmental Sciences, Education, Business, Medicine
• Why Choose: Coastal city, lower living costs than Stockholm, strong sustainability focus
• Tuition: SEK 95,000-130,000/year (BDT ৳10.9-15 lakh)

5. Stockholm University

• Global Ranking: #118 (QS 2025)
• Location: Stockholm
• Strengths: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Law
• Why Choose: Capital city advantages, research-intensive, diverse program offerings
• Tuition: SEK 90,000-145,000/year (BDT ৳10.35-16.7 lakh)

Popular Programs for Bangladeshi Students

Bangladesh students typically pursue these high-value programs in Sweden.

Engineering & Technology

• Sustainable Energy Engineering
• Software Engineering & Management
• Embedded Systems
• Industrial Engineering & Management
• Average Tuition: SEK 120,000-165,000/year (BDT ৳13.8-19 lakh)

Business & Economics

• International Business
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Supply Chain Management
• Average Tuition: SEK 100,000-140,000/year (BDT ৳11.5-16.1 lakh)

Environmental Sciences

• Environmental Science & Sustainability
• Climate Change Studies
• Renewable Energy
• Average Tuition: SEK 110,000-145,000/year (BDT ৳12.65-16.7 lakh)

IT & Computer Science

• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Average Tuition: SEK 125,000-165,000/year (BDT ৳14.4-19 lakh)

Tuition Costs: What You’ll Actually Spend

Bachelor’s Programs (3 years) Tuition Fees:

• SEK 80,000-165,000/year (BDT ৳9.2-19 lakh/year)
• Total: BDT ৳27.6-57 lakh for the entire degree

Master’s Programs (1-2 years) Tuition Fees:

• SEK 90,000-165,000/year (BDT ৳10.35-19 lakh/year)
• Total: BDT ৳10.35-38 lakh for the entire degree

PhD Programs:

• FREE tuition + monthly salary (SEK 30,000-35,000 = BDT ৳3.45-4 lakh/month)
• PhD students are considered employees, not students!

Living Costs (Monthly)

Accommodation

• Student housing: SEK 3,500-6,500/month (BDT ৳40,250-74,750)
• Private apartment: SEK 6,000-10,000/month (BDT ৳69,000-1,15,000)

Food

• Groceries: SEK 2,000-3,000/month (BDT ৳23,000-34,500)
• Student cafeteria meal: SEK 50-80 (BDT ৳575-920)

Transport

Monthly student pass: SEK 500-800 (BDT ৳5,750-9,200)

Other Expenses:

SEK 1,000-2,000/month (BDT ৳11,500-23,000)

Total Monthly Living Cost: SEK 8,000-13,000 (BDT ৳92,000-1,49,500)

Annual Living Cost: SEK 96,000-156,000 (BDT ৳11.04-17.94 lakh)

Swedish Migration Agency Requirement: You must prove SEK 10,314/month (BDT ৳1,18,611/month) for living expenses.

Scholarships: Making Sweden Affordable

Good news for those planning to study in Sweden from Bangladesh. Generous scholarships exist! Let’s look at some options:

Swedish Institute Scholarships (SI)

• Coverage: Full tuition + SEK 11,000/month living allowance + travel grant
• Value: Approximately BDT 25-35 lakh total
• Eligibility: Master’s students from select countries (including Bangladesh)
• Application: November-January annually
• Highly competitive: 300-400 scholarships for 2,000+ applicants

Lund University Global Scholarship

• 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% tuition reduction
• Automatic assessment upon application

KTH Scholarship

• Full or partial tuition waiver
• Covers tuition only (living expenses not included)

Uppsala University IPK Scholarship

• Full tuition + SEK 9,000/month allowance
• Extremely competitive (20-30 awarded annually)

Chalmers IPOET Scholarship

• 75% tuition reduction for excellent students
• Automatic consideration

Tips for Scholarship Success

• Apply Early: Most scholarship deadline ends in January for the September intake
• Strong Academic Record: 70%+ significantly improves chances
• Compelling Motivation Letter: Articulate clear goals, Sweden-specific reasons
• Apply to Multiple Universities: Increases scholarship opportunities
• Check External Funding: Swedish government, foundations, home country scholarships

Eligibility & Requirements

To successfully apply to Sweden from Bangladesh, ensure you meet these requirements.

Academic Requirements

Bachelor’s Programs:

• Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with strong grades (70%+)
• Subject-specific requirements (science subjects for engineering, etc.)

Master’s Programs:

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) with 60%+ aggregate
• A relevant undergraduate field is required
• Competitive programs require 70-75%+

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall: 6.0-6.5 (no section below 5.5), while some competitive programs require 7.0+

TOEFL iBT

Overall: 90 (Writing: 20 minimum)

Cambridge English

C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

PTE Academic

Overall: 62

Alternative: An English-medium bachelor’s degree may satisfy the English requirement (university-specific)

Financial Proof

For a Swedish student visa, you must demonstrate:

• First-year tuition paid or scholarship award
• SEK 10,314/month (BDT ৳1,18,611) × study duration in months

Application Process: Step-by-Step

To study in Sweden from Bangladesh, you have to follow a centralised application system.

Application Timeline (2026 Intake)

• October: Application portal opens (www.universityadmissions.se)
• January: Application deadline
• February: Document upload deadline
• April: Admission results announced
• May-June: Scholarship notifications
• July: Accept offer, pay tuition fee
• August: Apply for a residence permit
• September: Arrive in Sweden, start studies

To understand more clearly and start your Sweden journey, contact AGP. We will guide you all the way.

Step-by-Step Application

Step 1: Create Account

Register on www.universityadmissions.se

One application covers all Swedish universities

Step 2: Select Programs 

• Choose up to 4 programs
• Rank them in order of preference
• Application fee: SEK 900 (BDT ৳10,350) covers all 4 choices

Step 3: Submit Application

• Complete online forms
• Provide academic history
• Write motivation letters (program-specific)

Step 4: Upload Documents

• Academic transcripts (certified English translations)
• Degree certificates
• English proficiency test result
• Passport copy
• Motivation letters
• Recommendation letters (if required)

Step 5: Pay Application Fee

SEK 900 (BDT ৳10,350) via credit card

Step 6: Wait for Results

• Universities assess applications
• Receive admission decisions via the portal
• May receive multiple offers

Step 7: Accept Offer & Apply for Scholarships

• Accept one offer
• Automatic scholarship assessment for most universities
• SI Scholarship results (if applied)

Step 8: Pay Tuition Fee 

• Pay first semester or full year tuition
• Obtain payment receipt (needed for visa)

Step 9: Apply for a Residence Permit

• Apply online through the Swedish Migration Agency
• Processing time: 6-12 weeks
• Fee: SEK 1,500 (BDT ৳17,250)

Visa Process: Swedish Residence Permit

The Bangladesh to Sweden visa process is straightforward but requires careful documentation.

Required Documents:

• Admission letter from a Swedish university
• Proof of tuition payment (receipt or scholarship letter)
• Proof of funds (SEK 10,314/month × study duration)
• Valid passport (must be valid for entire stay)
• Passport photographs
• Comprehensive health insurance (minimum SEK 300,000 coverage)
• Completed application form
• Application fee payment (SEK 1,500 = BDT ৳17,250)

Processing

• Timeline: 6-12 weeks (apply early!)
• Application: Online through the Swedish Migration Agency
• Biometrics: At Swedish Embassy, Dhaka (Gulshan)
• Decision: Via email and online portal

Important: Apply as soon as you have admission and paid tuition. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Work Rights & Opportunities

Sweden offers excellent work rights for international students. During Studies, you can work Unlimited hours – no restrictions! Plus, there’s no separate work permit needed. Work rights are included in the residence permit

Part-Time Work

• Availability: Common in student cities
• Typical wages: SEK 120-150/hour (BDT ৳1,380-1,725)
• Common jobs: Retail, hospitality, tutoring, campus jobs
• Monthly earnings potential: SEK 4,000-8,000 (BDT ৳46,000-92,000)

Post-Graduation

• An extended residence permit allows 12 months to seek employment
• Job-seeking permit allows full-time work while searching
• Pathway to permanent residency after 4 years total in Sweden
• Swedish graduates in demand: Particularly in tech, engineering, health and sustainability sectors

Life in Sweden: What to Expect

Climate

• Winter: Cold (Nov-March), snow, dark days (but magical Christmas season!)
• Summer: Pleasant (June-Aug), long daylight hours, beautiful weather
• Reality: Invest in good winter clothing (budget SEK 3,000-5,000 = BDT ৳34,500-57,500)

Culture

• Lagom philosophy: Balance, moderation, equality
• Punctuality: Swedes take time seriously – be on time!
• Fika tradition: Coffee breaks are a sacred social time
• English fluency: 90%+ Swedes speak excellent English
• Flat hierarchy: Informal society, first-name basis with professors

Student Life

• Student nations: Traditional student societies (especially in Uppsala/Lund)
• Corridor kitchens: Social hubs in student housing
• Outdoor culture: Hiking, skiing, nature activities
• Sustainable lifestyle: Cycling, recycling, eco-conscious living

For Bangladeshi Students:

• Small Bangladeshi community: Growing but limited compared to the UK/Australia
• Halal food: Available in major cities (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö)
• Mosques: Present in larger cities
• Cultural adjustment: Nordic culture is quite different from Bangladesh – embrace it!

Post-Graduation Pathways

Studying in Sweden opens multiple career pathways.

Career in Sweden:

• Swedish companies actively hire international graduates
• The tech sector is particularly welcoming (Spotify, Ericsson, H&M, Volvo)
• Average graduate salary: SEK 28,000-35,000/month (BDT ৳3.22-4 lakh)
• A work permit leads to permanent residency after 4 years

Career in the EU:

• A Swedish degree recognised across the European Union
• Schengen mobility for travel and work
• The Nordic region (Denmark, Norway, Finland) frequently hire Swedish graduates

Return to Bangladesh:

• Swedish education is highly valued in Bangladesh
• Particularly in the development sector, tech, and sustainability
• Strong alumni networks in Dhaka

Global Opportunities:

• Swedish universities’ global reputation opens doors worldwide
• Multinational companies value Nordic education
• Strong foundation for further studies (PhD) anywhere

Dreaming of studying in Sweden from Bangladesh? Navigating the Swedish application system, scholarships, and visa process can be complex. But don’t worry at all!

AGP is here to help – from eligibility check to visa guidance, from scholarship search to admission support. Get free expert counselling today and launch your Swedish academic journey with confidence. Contact Now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I apply to Swedish universities from Bangladesh directly?

Yes. Through UniversityAdmissions.se, you can submit your application online and pay the application fee from Bangladesh.

What is the minimum fund I need to show for living costs in Sweden?

The Swedish Migration Agency requires at least SEK 10,584 or BDT 1,18,611/month during your stay for living expenses.

Are there scholarships for Bangladeshi students studying in Sweden?

Yes. Merit-based, need-based, and overseas scholarships are available. Many cover tuition partially or fully.

Can I work while studying as an international student in Sweden?

Yes, international students can work full-time while studying, but you should prioritise your studies.

Is studying in Sweden from Bangladesh expensive compared to other European countries?

Not necessarily. While living costs are moderately high, tuition + living + scholarship potential makes Sweden competitive and often more affordable than the UK, USA or Australia.