STUDY STUDIO: Students working in the library of the University of Stockholm

The mention of Sweden normally brings to mind snow, Vikings, the Nobel Prize and ABBA, not necessarily in that order. Now this model welfare state of the European Union may become the new educational haven for Indian students who want to look beyond the traditional Anglo-American study opportunities.

“In my opinion, the scope for Indian students to take up higher studies in Sweden is growing,” says Aloke Mookherjea, the Swedish Consul General for Eastern India. “Till a few years ago, rarely did students of this country think of Sweden as a probable study destination but, today, we are getting increasingly frequent enquiries,” he states.

Indians have been taking up courses in Swedish universities since the 1960s but the number of such students has risen significantly in the last 10 years. “In the academic year of 1996-1997, 20 Indians were enrolled as students in our universities. In 2004-2005 this number rose to 926 with an additional 34 Indians enrolled as exchange students,” says Susanna Wallgren, media relations manager of the Swedish Institute in Stockholm, which represents all Swedish higher education institutions.

Sweden too is making a pitch to attract Indians to its universities. The education system in the country is quite unique. All post secondary institutions and colleges for adult education are considered universities in the broad sense. “Higher education in Sweden includes traditional university courses as well as paramedical training and post-secondary studies in music, art and learning,” says Saloni Zaveri-Ahluwalia, public relations officer of the Swedish Consulate in New Delhi. Currently, there are around 50 institutions of higher education in this Scandinavian nation.

To be eligible for a masters degree from a Swedish university, a student should have a bachelors degree in that subject and adequate knowledge of English (a score of 500-550 in TOEFL). Students need a Plus Two qualification to enrol in a graduate programme but the drawback is that nearly all of these courses are taught in Swedish. There is no formal ranking system for Swedish universities but the two most well known ones are the Royal Institute of Technology (Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan) in Stockholm and Stockholm University.

At the moment, Indian students need to show that they are able to arrange for a minimum of SEK6300 per month for 10 months in a year (from 1st January the figure is set to rise to SEK 7300 per month). If one can show evidence of free lodging, then this sum is reduced. “During the visa application process applicants are requested to show proof of financial support for the entire study period,” says Zaveri-Ahluwalia.

A very attractive aspect of studying in Sweden is that you don’t have to pay tuition fees. “Under the current system, the Swedish government gives full subsidy to national students as well as foreign students,” reveals Niklas Tranaeus, senior officer of the Swedish Institute in Stockholm. But such a happy state of affairs might not last long. Plans are afoot to introduce tuition fees for students from countries outside the European Union. “If that happens, Swedish universities are certain to increase their recruitment efforts in India,” predicts Tranaeus.

Some universities are now offering courses in English that are of interest to Indian students. “Indians generally show a preference for studying engineering, medicine, computer science and allied technical subjects at the postgraduate level,” says Aloke Mookherjea. He also mentions that Indian students are now showing an inclination for Swedish undergraduate courses and are expressing an interest in learning the language.

Foreign students are allowed to work part time in Sweden. “They can work at fast food chains, distribute newspapers and work in restaurants,” explains Zaveri-Ahluwalia. The Swedish government is also considering giving foreign postgraduate students an automatic work permit for a limited number of years.

At present, the Swedish industry is keen to increase its presence in South Asia and the Swedish Consulate in India envisages a steady rise in educational and research collaborations between Swedish and Indian universities. “Indian researchers can benefit greatly from the research exchange that exists between Swedish and Indian universities,” says Tranaeus.

Sweden has an immigrant population of one million and currently, there are 26,000 foreign students studying in Sweden, making for a vibrant, international study environment.

And who knows, a migrating Indian student may follow in the footsteps of Selma Lagerlof and weave his own fairy tale in this Scandinavian country.

For further information contact:

Niklas Tranaeus
Senior Officer,
Swedish Institute, Skeppsbron 2,
PO Box 7434, SE-103 91,
Stockholm, Sweden.
E-mail: nt@si.se
Websites: www.si.se, www.studyinsweden.se

Embassy of Sweden,
Nyaya Marg, New Delhi-110021
Ph:(011) 24197100
Websites: www.swedenabroad.se/newdelhi and www.sweden.se