Find out if you need to pay fees
Wondering if you need to pay application and tuition fees? We've provided questions and answers - with case examples - to help you find out.
What are the criteria?
You can find the entire ordinance on application fees and tuition fees here:
Ordinance on application fees and tuition fees at higher education institutions (2010:543) at uhr.se
In general, individuals who are citizens of countries that are not part of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA, includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees. There are some exceptions to this general rule.
Answer some questions to find out if you need to pay
We've provided some questions that can help you find out if you need to pay application and tuition fees. When you come to a question and can answer "Yes", read the conversation between a student with the same circumstances, and an admissions officer.
Are you a Swedish citizen?
Yes — You aren't required to pay application or tuition fees.
Mikael is a Swedish citizen. He's just finished studies at a Swedish gymnasieskola (high school) and is applying for university studies.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Mikael: I'm wondering if I'm required to pay application or tuition fees.
Pernilla: Swedish citizens are not required to pay application or tuition fees to study at a Swedish university.
Mikael: Do I need to send in anything to University Admissions to prove my Swedish citizenship?
Pernilla: No, you don't. Your Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) will be checked automatically by our admissions system; you don´t need to provide us with any documentation.
However, if you are registered as living outside of Sweden, you need to document your citizenship.
See Students with a Swedish personal identity number for more information.
No — Next question
Do you have a permanent Swedish residence permit?
Yes — You aren't required to pay application or tuition fees.
Yoon is from South Korea and has permanent Swedish residency. She wants to go back to university and finish her teaching studies.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Yoon: I have a Swedish permanent residence permit and am wondering if I have to pay application and tuition fees.
Pernilla: Individuals with permanent Swedish residency are not required to pay application and tuition fees. Your Swedish personal identity number will be checked automatically by our admissions system so you normally shouldn't have to provide any documentation to us.
It's possible that our electronic check will indicate that you're required to document your status. If this is the case, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to proceed.
If you receive an email and are required to document your residency status, please submit a copy of the decision you received from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) regarding your residency. It's important that this document contain information on what grounds your residency was granted.
No — Next question
Do you have a temporary Swedish residence permit that was granted on the basis of something other than studies?
Yes — You aren't required to pay application or tuition fees.
Evin is originally from Iraq and has been living in Sweden for a few years. She's been granted temporary residency in Sweden by the Swedish Migration Agency. Her residency wasn't granted based on studies. She's applying for courses and programmes at Swedish universities.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Evin: I´m not a Swedish citizen but I do have temporary residency in Sweden. Do I have to pay fees?
Pernilla: No, you don't. Applicants who've been granted temporary residency in Sweden for reasons other than studies don't have to pay application or tuition fees.
Students who've been granted temporary residency for studies, however, are required to pay application and tuition fees.
Evin: What should I do to certify my residency status?
Pernilla: After you submit your application at Universityadmissions.se, our admissions system will confirm your status using your Swedish personal identity number. In most cases, you won't need to submit any documents regarding your residency status.
It's possible that our electronic check will indicate that you're required to document your status. If this is the case, you'll receive an email with instructions.
If you receive this email asking you to document your residency status, please submit a copy of the decision you received from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) regarding your residency. It's important that this document contain information on what grounds your residency was granted.
No — Next question
Do you have an expired residence permit that was granted on the basis of something other than studies and have already applied for an extension?
Yes, I had one and have filed for an extension — You aren't required to pay application or tuition fees but must document your previous permit and current application for an extension.
Mei is from China and has been granted temporary residency (not based on studies) in Sweden by the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). She's applying for courses and programmes at several Swedish universities but her residence permit has expired.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Mei: I had a residence permit based on something other than studies, but it expired before I applied at Universityadmissions.se. Do I have to pay fees?
Pernilla: It depends on whether you've applied for an extension of your previous residence permit or not. If you’ve already applied for an extension you can be exempt from paying the fees, but if you haven’t yet, we won’t be able to proceed with your application.
Mei: I actually did apply and am waiting for a response. What should I do to document my application for extension of my residence permit at Migrationsverket?
Pernilla: You need to submit:
- a copy of your previous residence permit decision
- a receipt from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) indicating that you've applied for an extension of your previous residence permit.
It's important that either your case number or check number is clearly mentioned on the receipt, as well as your name so we can verify it refers to your residency application.
No — Next question
Do you have citizenship in a European Union (EU) country, European Economic Area (EEA, includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) country, or Switzerland?
Yes — You aren't required to pay application or tuition fees. Please note you must document your citizenship.
Sabine has German citizenship. She hasn't decided what courses she wants to apply for, but is very interested in studying and getting her degree in Sweden.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Sabine: I'm not sure what courses or programmes I'll be applying for but am wondering how much the tuition is for bachelor's and master's.
Pernilla: All citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, as well as citizens of Switzerland, are not required to pay an application fee or tuition fees.
Sabine: Is there anything I need to do?
Pernilla: You must submit proof of your citizenship to University Admissions in Sweden. The easiest way to do this is to submit either a copy of your valid passport, valid national ID card, or valid identity card where your citizenship is indicated.
You can either upload a scanned copy of your original document to University Admissions in 'Documents' in your account here, or submit a copy of the original document by regular post.
Sabine: When will you need my documents?
Pernilla: It's important you submit your documents by the document deadline. You can find this date on the 'Application fees' page in your account at Universityadmissions.se.
If you submit your documents after the deadline, the date we receive your documents will be the new official date of your application. If this new date is after the application deadline, your application will be considered late, even if you submitted your original application on time.
We won't begin processing your application until it's complete.
No — Next question
Are you a family member of a citizen of an EU or EEA country who has temporary or permanent right of residence in Sweden?
Yes — You're most likely not required to pay application or tuition fees.
Maria is not a citizen of an EU/EEA country. She's married to Cristiano who is an Italian citizen. Cristiano and Maria have moved to Sweden as Cristiano has a job there. Maria wishes to study some international courses at a Swedish university and is wondering if she's required to pay fees.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Maria: What's my husband's status in Sweden?
Pernilla: Cristiano has citizenship in an EU/EEA country and therefore has right of residence in Sweden. This means that he's allowed to be in Sweden for longer than 3 months without needing a residence permit.
Maria: I've read something about being a family member of an EU/EEA citizen with right of residence in Sweden. Does this mean I don't have to pay application and tuition fees?
Pernilla: You can be considered a family member if you're:
- a spouse, registered partner or common-law spouse
- a child under 21 years of age who is financially dependent on their parent(s)
- a parent who is financially dependent on their child who lives in Sweden.
Because you're married to Cristiano and he has right of residence in Sweden, this also gives you right of residence in Sweden and, as such, you're not required to pay application or tuition fees.
There are a number of ways for a European citizen to gain right of residence in Sweden. In your case, it's because Cristiano has a job in Sweden.
It's important to point out that Swedish citizens are not considered EU/EEA citizens in this context. Swedish citizens should contact the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) if they have questions.
Maria: Do I need to send in any type of documentation?
Pernilla: Please submit a copy of your "Residence card of a family member of a union citizen" (Uppehållskort) that you received from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). If you've been granted a Residence Card, but have not yet received your card, please send a copy of the letter you received from the Swedish Migration Agency regarding this decision.
You must also verify Cristiano's citizenship status by submitting a copy of his passport or an ID card where it states clearly what his country of citizenship is.
Read more about verifying EU/EEA citizenship
If you haven't yet received your "Uppehållskort", there are two types of documentation we need:
- documentation of your relationship with Cristiano. In your case, this could be a copy of your marriage license. There are other ways of documenting a relationship. Read more about documenting relationship status at The Swedish Migrations Agency's website
- documentation of why Cristiano was granted right of residence. In your case, this would be a copy of his employment contract in Sweden. There are other ways of being granted right of residence and documenting this. Read more about documenting your right of residence reason at The Swedish Migration Agency's website
I strongly suggest you consult The Swedish Migration Agency's website for more information on right of residence and what is required.
No — Next question
Are you married to a Swedish citizen, are not yourself a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, and have a Swedish residence permit for reasons other than studies?
Yes — You aren't required to pay application or tuition fees. Note that being married to a Swedish citizen doesn't automatically make you exempt from paying fees.
Kim is from Vietnam. She's been married to Per, a Swedish citizen, for 11 years. They've been living in Vietnam but wish to move to Sweden, where Kim is planning on studying.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Kim: I've been married to Per for the past 11 years. We're going to move to Sweden in a few months and I'd like to finish my engineering degree. Do I need to pay application and tuition fees?
Pernilla: Being married to a Swedish citizen doesn't automatically make one exempt from paying fees. In order to be exempt, you need to have a Swedish residence permit for reasons other than studies. You should apply for your residence permit as soon as possible with the Swedish Migration Agency.
Feel free to apply to courses at Universityadmissions.se but be sure to submit a copy of the decision from the Swedish Migration Agency regarding your residence permit so that we receive it before the payment deadline. If you don't receive a decision before the payment deadline, you must pay the application fee. Otherwise, your application will be considered late and will only be considered at the discretion of the university later, if there are places available.
It's important that this document contain information stating on what grounds your residency was granted.
No — Next question
Are you applying for doctoral studies (Third cycle) in Sweden?
Yes — You aren't required to pay application or tuition fees for third cycle courses and programmes.
Bazmi is from India. He has a master's degree in chemical engineering and wishes to pursue doctoral studies in Sweden.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Bazmi: I know that I'll be applying for doctoral studies directly to the universities in Sweden that I'm interested in. How much will my application and tuition fees be?
Pernilla: Swedish law states that students applying for doctoral studies are not required to pay application and tuition fees. As you know, the application process for doctoral studies is managed by the individual universities. We suggest you contact the ones you're interested in to find out about funding for doctoral studies.
Study in Sweden has great information about PhD studies along with university contact information.
Find out more att Studyinsweden.se
Bazmi: What if I want to take courses at the bachelor's or master's level?
Pernilla: Those courses are not automatically fee-exempt as they're not doctoral courses. However, if you're currently studying a doctoral programme, you'll be exempt from paying fees for courses at those levels as well.
No — Next question
Were you/will you be registered for a course or programme in Sweden when you submit your application?
Yes — Because of your registration status, you aren't required to pay an application fee; however, registration status doesn't exempt students from paying tuition fees. You may still be required to pay them.
Umaru is from Nigeria. He began a master's programme in Sweden last autumn and paid the application fee when he first applied.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Umaru: When I first applied for my master's programme, I paid the application fee. I need to apply for courses for my next semester of studies. Do I need to pay the application fee again?
Pernilla: If you're registered for a course or programme in Sweden when you submit your application, you aren't required to pay an application fee. As you're currently registered for your master's programme, you won't need to pay the fee again.
We'll check your current registration status when you submit your application by looking for your records in the study documentation system (Ladok). It could happen that a check of the system doesn't find you as currently registered for a course or programme. In this case, you'll receive an email from us, requesting documentation of your current status. You can prove that you're currently registered by submitting a copy of your registration status from the study documentation system — you can request this copy from your university.
No — Next question
Are you registered at a foreign university and will be studying in Sweden as part of an official study abroad programme as an exchange student?
Yes — You are not required to pay tuition fees.
Alison is a Canadian citizen. She wants to study abroad for a year and is looking at Sweden as a study destination. She is currently attending McGill University in Canada where she's planning on getting her degree and is interested in doing an exchange programme with a Swedish university through her school.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Alison: I've been looking into my school´s available exchange programmes, but am wondering about what the costs will be for my semester or year of studies in Sweden.
Pernilla: There's a difference between official study abroad students and freemovers. Freemovers are students who apply for courses and programmes in Sweden independent of a university or college in another country — they pursue studies in Sweden on their own and plan on getting their degree here.
You're considered an exchange student as you'll be studying for a limited period of time in Sweden through your university´s study abroad programme. Therefore, you aren't required to pay an application fee or tuition fees here. You should contact McGill´s study abroad office to find out what your payment requirements are there.
Alison: What happens if I want to take an extra course or two while I'm in Sweden?
Pernilla: When you apply for the extra courses, you won't be required to pay an application fee. However, the only courses that are exempt from tuition fees are the specific courses that are offered as part of your exchange programme at the university where you're studying. You'll be required to pay tuition fees for any other courses you take - both on-campus and distance - at the exchange university or any other Swedish universities.
No...
If you've answered no to all of these questions, it's likely you're required to pay application and tuition fees.
Hakim is from Pakistan. He's completed his bachelor's studies and is interested in a master's programme in economics in Sweden.
Pernilla Andersson works at University Admissions in Sweden as an admissions officer.
Hakim: I'm very excited about studying in Sweden, but have some questions about fees. First, do I have to pay an application fee?
Pernilla: Yes, all students applying to university studies in Sweden who are citizens of countries other than an EU/EEA country or Switzerland must pay an application fee.
Hakim: How much is this application fee?
Pernilla: The application fee is 900 Swedish kronor.
Hakim: Do I have to pay a fee for each course or programme I apply for?
Pernilla: It doesn't matter how many courses or programmes you've selected for the semester you've applied for, you pay just one application fee.
Hakim: How do I pay my application fee?
Pernilla: You should pay your application fee when submitting your application at Universityadmissions.se. As a last step before submitting your application, you'll come to information pages about the application fee and a link you can use to pay online.
Hakim: What methods can I use to submit my payment?
Pernilla: The best way to pay your application fee is to use your bank or credit card. This is the fastest, easiest and safest way to make your payment and we ask all of our applicants to use this method if they have a bank or credit card. It really makes the process much, much easier for you.
Hakim: What if I don't have a bank or credit card?
Pernilla: The other way to pay your application fee is to send funds electronically through your bank. This method takes a great deal longer, is not as secure and could delay the processing of your application. We don't recommend you use this method if you have a bank or credit card you can use. There will be further instructions on the page 'Application fee' when you're logged in to your account at Universityadmissions.se.
If you do decide to transfer funds, it's important that you give your bank the reference number you've been assigned. You can find this reference number on the Application fee information page.
Hakim: When is my application fee due?
Pernilla: The Application fee page will indicate the deadline for your payment. It's important that your application fee reaches us by this deadline. If not, your application will be considered late, even if you submitted information about what courses and programmes you'd like to apply for and your supporting documentation on time. We won't begin processing your application until we receive your payment. This is why we recommend payment with a bank or credit card — your payment will reach us at the same time as your application.
Hakim: What about tuition fees? How much will they be?
Pernilla: Each university provides tuition information for the courses and programmes they offer. This information is available when you search for courses and programmes, in the results list. You can also find information on the university's website.
Hakim: When do I need to pay these tuition fees?
Pernilla: You should pay your tuition fee as soon as you receive an invoice from the university you're planning to attend. You should receive this invoice shortly after your Notification of Selection Results, if you've been offered a place in a programme. Please note that your application for a residence permit will not be processed by the Swedish Migration Agency until you've paid the first instalment of your tuition fee. Tuition fees are to be paid directly to the university where you'll be studying.
The residence permit process can take some time; therefore, it's very important that you pay your tuition fee instalment for the upcoming semester as soon as possible.