Before you travel to Sweden to study

So, you are planning to study in Sweden? That's great! But there are some things that you need to do before you head off to Sweden.

Practical things

Apply for a residence permit (if required)
As a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need to contact the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) to apply for a residence permit. The permit must be issued before you travel to Sweden.

Check that you have valid travel documents
The rules are different depending on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or not. 

Search for accommodation as soon as possible
There are many types of accommodation: student accommodation, rental apartments, and rental rooms. It can be difficult to find accommodation, especially in the larger cities, so it´s important to begin looking well in advance. 

Read through the terms of your insurance
So that you are prepared if something happens. Also, bring any insurance certificates with you. 

Make a printable pdf-file of your notification of selection results
Your notification will not be stored indefinitely at universityadmissions.se, so it´s important that you download a copy as you will have to show it in your contact with the Swedish Migration Agency or the Swedish Tax Agency. 

Mobile phone
Before you have had time to get a Swedish mobile number, or if you have a foreign subscription that entails high costs for calls and data traffic in Sweden, you should disconnect your voice mail and turn off data traffic to avoid an expensive phone bill. Add ICE (In Case of Emergency) to your phone's contact list with the phone number of a contact person in Sweden or in your home country in case of an accident. Find out if you need an adapter to charge your phone. 

Credit card
Write down the phone number for blocking your credit card in case you lose it or it is stolen. 

What support is available at your higher education institution?
The student health services offered can vary between different universities. Find out what is available where you will be studying. This is especially important if you use mental health services in your home country. If you have a permanent disability, you can receive special support during studies in Sweden. 

Information about Sweden

Do your research

Reading up on how things work in Sweden, like local customs and what to expect when living here, is a good way to prepare for your stay. Try to find out cultural “do's and dont's” and attitudes that may be different from your home country. Having advance knowledge can be helpful if you find things to be very different. At studyinsweden.se you will find student blogs with facts and information. 

The Swedish climate

Sweden has four seasons with different weather. There can be large temperature differences between northern and southern Sweden, especially during winter. Summers are generally mild throughout the country. Temperatures can range from about -30 to +30 degrees Celsius depending on the season and where you are in the country. Make sure you adapt your wardrobe to the climate! 

Darkness during wintertime

It’s not just cold here, people also struggle with the lack of sunlight during winter. In December, the sun is up for 6 hours at most, depending on where you live. For help in coping with the Swedish darkness, read more about Winter blues on the site.