There are mainly two types of higher education institution -Universities and University colleges, as per the website. While University can grant degrees at the doctoral level, University College generally provides only Bachelor's and Master's degree.

Sangita Shrestha

With a hope for a better future and a good life after completing higher education, many Nepali students are attracted to study abroad.And one of the destinations for them could be Sweden. If you are one of those students who aspire to get a Swedish degree, then understand the basic criteria of being selected and living in Sweden as a student.

Education system
The education system in Sweden is divided into three cycles -First cycle or Undergraduate/Bachelor's level, Second cycle or Graduate/Master's level, Third cycle or Postgraduate/ doctoral-PhD.And one can opt to study in areas like Business and Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Health and Medicine, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Natural Sciences and Technology having around 600 English-language degree programmes.

But if anyone is fluent in the Swedish language, then there are even greater choices for students as mentioned by the http://www.studyinsweden.se -official website of Sweden.

There are mainly two types of higher education institution -Universities and University colleges, as per the website. While University can grant degrees at the doctoral level, University College generally provides only Bachelor's and Master's degree.

The academic accomplishments are measured in credits using a Swedish measurement system called högskolepoäng, which is equivalent to European Credit Transfer and Accumulation Systems (ECTS), a credit measurement system mostly applicable in most of the European nations.

Eligibility criteria
If anyone wants to pursue Bachelor's level course in Sweden, then s/he must have successfully completed their upper secondary (high school) education and must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English by means of an internationally recognised test, the website further states.

For Bachelor's level, the marks required for IELTS are from 5.5 to 7 score. One must score 4 to 4.5 score in paper-based TOEFL, meanwhile 17 to 20 score should be obtained in the Internet-based TOEFL.
The provision is the same for the Master's level as well.

Meanwhile the student must have successfully completed courses in Mathematics to study Bachelor's level with Mathematics as a major subject.For this, the student must have studied Mathematics course approximately for 10 years in school. However, it is mentioned that this Mathematics requirement does not apply to students who received their final school grades before February 1, 2010.

Likewise, for entry to a Master's level study programme, the minimum requirement is a four years Bachelor's degree, or a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree as per the website.

It is mentioned that consideration will also be given to applicants who have attained a three years' Bachelor's degree with honours. But those only holding a three years' Bachelor's degree without honours are not eligible for a Master's programme.

In addition, for supporting document requirements college-issued mark sheet/result card/transcript is not accepted and Degree certificates/Provisional Degree certificates are required and cannot be replaced by Character certificates or similar certificates.

Meanwhile, if one is looking forward to get admitted to doctoral studies, one needs to have completed courses for at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be for second-cycle courses and study programmes (Master's programme) and should have a second-cycle degree as well.

Studying and living
Students interested to study and live in Sweden must get admission from the University of Sweden for full-time studies first and then apply for Visa.

One can also apply for Visa or residence permit online on the website http://www.migrationsverket.se (official website of Migration board of Sweden) or contact the Consulate of Sweden in Kathmandu.

Moreover, the applicant must be able to support himself or herself for the entire planned study period where at present a min imum bank balance of SEK 7,300 per month (SEK 1= Rs 12. 93) is required.

Also the applicant should have comprehensive health insurance if s/he plans to study for less than one year. S/he must also have a valid passport.

The education system of Sweden was free for all till 2010. But as the Nepali students are obligated to pay tuition fees along with the new rules that came into practice from 2011, s/he is not regarded as definitely admitted until the portion of the tuition fees that the university or university college takes in advance has been paid and must have own bank account as per the website http://www.migrationsverket.se. The cost for application is SEK 900 which is not refundable.

According the website, those having residence permit can work and study without work permit. However, studying and working is simply not an easy task in Swe den because the study demands more hard work. Moreover, it is not guaranteed that one can get a job easily.

As per an official from Consulate of Sweden, who wished to remain anonymous, the applicants need not apply from the consultancies as all the required information and applying for the procedures is mentioned in the official website of Sweden.

Scholarships
Most foreign students in Sweden finance their stay without help from scholarships.

The Swedish Institute, a government agency, administers over 500 scholarships each year for students applying to English-language programmes in Sweden for mainly Master's level studies or advanced studies. Some universities offer scholarships or tuition waivers directly to high-performing students. Also students can take part in scholarship challenge.

Important websites
http://www.universityadmissions.se
http://www.studyinsweden.se
http://www.migrationsverket.se

URL
http://www.studyinsweden.se
http://www.migrationsverket.se
http://www.migrationsverket.se
http://www.universityadmissions.se
http://www.studyinsweden.se
http://www.migrationsverket.se

source: Shrestha, Sangita(2012),"Getting a Swedish degree", The Himalayan Times,27 June 2012