Do you want to study in Sweden?
At first sight, it may be difficult to get a picture of all different programs in the field of Business Administration and Economics. If you are interested in business studies in Sweden, we hope this will help you to get a more clear idea of the available programs.
Swedish higher education in the field of Business Administration and Economics
There are programs in Business Administration and Economics at more than 25 universities and university colleges in Sweden, from Luleå in the north to Malmö in the south. A few additional universities also offer courses in the field. For further reading, please visit each school´s website here.
Many universities and university colleges offer courses in Business and Economics in English, at least at master level. Some universities even offer programs entirely in English on a bachelor level. These universities and university colleges are: Jönköping International Business School, Linnaeus university, Mälardalen university, Stockholm university, Umeå School of Business and Economics.
Educational structure
Since 2007, Sweden is a part of the Bologna Process for higher education. This system makes the credit system compatible between European countries. “Högskolepoäng” (hp) is the Swedish word for credits which can be compared with the European credit system ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
An academic year is divided into two terms (autumn and spring term) and each term consists of 20 weeks and 30 ECTS for full-time studies. The autumn term usually starts in the end of August and the spring term starts in mid-January. The majority of the programs start in the autumn.
The Bologna Process also divides the higher education in three levels: Bachelor (undergraduate), Master and Doctoral studies. Each level builds upon the lower level.
How to apply
Sweden uses an integrated application system which means that you can apply to more or less all schools in Sweden in the same application. This can be done through www.universityadmissions.se. The application deadline for the autumn term is April 15 and October 15 for the spring term. Please visit the website for application and more details about the process.
Fees and visas
Citizens in EU/EES or Switzerland do not have to pay any study fees in Sweden but they do have to send a document confirming their citizenship to UHR (The Swedish Agency for Higher Education Services). Citizens from other countries than the ones listed above do have to pay for teaching expenditures on the bachelor as well as the master level. International students will probably need to get a permit or visa for living and studying in Sweden. Please contact the Swedish Migration Board for more information.
The labor market for graduates in Business Administration and Economics
Graduates in Business and Economics are working in all kinds of businesses. Three years after graduation, the majority is working in four big industries: Business services (accounting, audit, consulting, IT), Financial services, Manufacturing industry and Retail. The graduates mainly work in the private sector, but the demand in the public sector for business administration professionals is growing. Professionals specialized in Economics on the other hand, works in the public sector to a greater extent.
Common professions for graduates in Business Administration and Economics are: Controller, Public Relation Manager, Analyst, Marketing Director, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Management Consultant, Key Account Manager, Business Developer, Purchaser, Accountant, Supply Manager, Marketer, Economist, Project Manager, Sales Agent, Administrator, Share broker etc. Many graduates in the fields are working as company leaders.
Civilekonomerna/S.E.R.O.
This webpage is a complement to a brochure in Swedish made by Civilekonomerna and S.E.R.O. about higher education of business administration and economics programmes in Sweden. Civilekonomerna, The Swedish Association of Graduates in Business Administration and Economics is a union and interest organization for professionals and students in the fields. S.E.R.O. is a central organization for students in Business Administration and Economics and has a number of affiliated associations on the different schools around Sweden.
Further reading