Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Sweden
Sweden is home to some of the world's top-ranked Master's programs in Engineering, Technology, and Sustainability, with an Embassy located right in Dhaka and — unusually among EU countries — no legal cap on part-time work hours for student residence permit holders.
সুইডেনে ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং, প্রযুক্তি ও টেকসই উন্নয়নে বিশ্বমানের মাস্টার্স প্রোগ্রাম রয়েছে, এবং ঢাকায় দূতাবাস থাকায় প্রক্রিয়া সহজ।
Embassy located in Dhaka: unlike several Nordic and Baltic neighbours, Sweden maintains a resident Embassy in Gulshan, Dhaka, which simplifies your visa appointment logistics.
ঢাকায় দূতাবাস রয়েছে: গুলশানে সুইডেন দূতাবাস থাকায় ভিসা অ্যাপয়েন্টমেন্ট সহজ হয়।
Universities & Popular Programs
KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm)
Scandinavia's largest technical university, top-ranked for Engineering, Computer Science, and Architecture Master's programs.
Lund University
Consistently ranked among the world's top 100 universities, strong across Engineering, Business, and Sciences.
Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg)
Leading choice for Engineering, especially Sustainable Development and Data Science.
Uppsala University
Scandinavia's oldest university, strong in Sciences, Medicine, and Social Sciences.
Stockholm University
Well-regarded for Business, Law, and Social Sciences Master's programs.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Engineering, Computer Science, Sustainable Development, Data Science, Business.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's/Master's tuition per year | SEK 80,000 - SEK 295,000 (~€7,000 - €27,000) |
| Minimum required living funds per month | SEK 10,314 (~€930), per Migration Agency requirement |
| Realistic living costs per month | SEK 9,000 - 13,000 |
Tuition varies widely by field and university — Engineering and Business programs at top-ranked universities like KTH and Lund sit at the higher end.
বিষয় ও বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ভেদে টিউশন ব্যাপকভাবে ভিন্ন হয়।
Scholarships & Funding
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) — a highly competitive, fully-funded scholarship program (tuition, living costs, insurance, and travel grant) for students from select countries including Bangladesh, applying to Master's programs at Swedish universities.
University-specific scholarships — many universities (e.g. KTH, Lund, Chalmers) offer partial or full tuition-fee waivers for high-achieving non-EU students; check the scholarship database on each university's international pages.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport and copies of personal data pages.
- Letter of acceptance from a Swedish university or college.
- Proof that you can support yourself financially — a bank statement showing at least SEK 10,314 per month for the duration of your studies.
- Proof of payment for the first installment of the tuition fee.
- Comprehensive health insurance, if your studies are for less than one year.
- Completed application form for residence permit for studies.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure admission and receive your letter of acceptance from a Swedish university.
- Pay the first installment of your tuition fee and gather proof of financial means.
- Create an account and apply online through the Swedish Migration Agency's website, uploading all required documents.
- Pay the application fee (approximately SEK 1,500) online via credit/debit card on the Migration Agency portal.
- Book a follow-up appointment with VFS Global in Dhaka to verify your identity and submit biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
- Attend your appointment, bringing your original documents and passport.
- Wait for the Migration Agency's decision — once approved, collect your passport with the residence permit sticker.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Residence permit for studies (online) | ~SEK 1,500 + VFS service fee |
Embassy & Application Centre
Embassy of Sweden, Dhaka
Bay's Edgewater, 6th Floor, Plot 12, North Avenue, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
VFS Global - Sweden Visa Application Centre
Delta Life Tower, 4th Floor, Plot #37, Road #90, Gulshan North, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Application Tips
- Apply online as soon as you have your admission letter — the Migration Agency's processing time can run several weeks to a few months.
- Ensure your bank statement clearly shows the full SEK 10,314/month requirement for your entire program duration, not just the first year.
- Book your VFS Dhaka biometrics appointment promptly after your online submission, as slots can fill up.
Work Rights
Sweden is unusual among EU/EEA countries in placing no statutory limit on part-time working hours for students on a residence permit for studies, as long as your studies remain your primary activity — this gives Bangladeshi students in Sweden notable flexibility to work alongside their coursework.
সুইডেনে শিক্ষার্থীদের খণ্ডকালীন কাজের ঘণ্টার উপর কোনো আইনি সীমা নেই, যতক্ষণ পড়াশোনা মূল কার্যক্রম থাকে।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's (English-medium) | 6.5 | 62 |
| Master's (English-medium) | 6.5 | 62 |
Swedish universities typically require IELTS 6.5 overall with no individual band below 5.5 — check your target program's exact sub-band policy.
Application Timeline (August Intake)
University Application
Apply via universityadmissions.se (national portal); admission decisions typically come in spring.
Residence Permit Application
Apply online through the Swedish Migration Agency once you have your admission letter.
VFS Dhaka Biometrics
Attend your identity verification and biometrics appointment at VFS Global Dhaka.
Arrival
Arrive in time for orientation before the academic year begins.
FAQ
Is Sweden expensive for non-EU students? Tuition is a real cost since Sweden charges non-EU/EEA students, but the Swedish Institute Scholarship and university-level waivers can offset this significantly for competitive applicants.
Do I need to travel outside Bangladesh for my visa? No — the Embassy of Sweden is located in Dhaka, and the full process (application, biometrics) is handled locally.
Can I work unlimited hours? There's no statutory hour cap, but your studies must remain your primary activity in the eyes of the Migration Agency.