Located near a national park on the outskirts of the capital, Stockholm University (Stockholms Universitet) is Sweden’s largest public research university, combining a beautiful environment with vibrant urban life. Of its more than 30,000 students, around 20% are international students. Stockholm University consistently performs well in the QS rankings, particularly in the fields of humanities and social sciences, making it an excellent choice for Hong Kong students pursuing English-taught Master's programmes to enhance their international competitiveness. Grove Education will provide an in-depth introduction to Stockholm University’s rankings, academic disciplines, tuition fees, and application details, assisting you in comprehensively understanding key aspects of studying here.
Introduction to Stockholm University
Founded in 1878 [1], Stockholm University is the oldest comprehensive university in Sweden, encompassing two major fields: humanities and social sciences, and natural sciences, across four faculties. [2] The university promotes interdisciplinary research, with a diverse array of disciplines, including environmental policy combined with climate science, and benefits from convenient campus access to the subway, attracting global students keen on studying abroad.
Stockholm University offers over a hundred Master's degree programmes taught in English, without requiring a background in Swedish. Notable alumni include several Nobel Prize winners, such as Paul Crutzen and George de Hevesy [3].
Source: stockholms universitet
QS Rankings of Stockholm University
According to the QS World University Rankings, Stockholm University is ranked 147th globally in 2026, maintaining a strong position among Sweden's various comprehensive universities [4]. Furthermore, the Center for World University Rankings for 2025 ranks it as the 5th best university in Sweden, reflecting the international recognition of its research and teaching capabilities [5].
Strong Academic Departments and Subject Rankings
In addition to its overall strong global ranking, the university boasts numerous departments ranked within the top 50 in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. Seven subjects rank first in Sweden, including Sociology, Linguistics, and Anthropology, highlighting its leading position in the humanities and social sciences. Below are popular subject areas along with their rankings and descriptions: [6]
Environmental Sciences
Ranked 39th globally, Environmental Sciences is one of Stockholm University's traditional and most internationally renowned fields. The department’s research encompasses critical issues such as climate change, ecosystem analysis, pollution control, and sustainable development. The university has established the Baltic Sea Research Centre specifically for this discipline, conducting in-depth research into marine, environmental, and climate studies. Its programmes and research projects are highly interdisciplinary, collaborating closely with leading institutions like the Stockholm Resilience Centre, providing students with an excellent platform to engage with cutting-edge environmental science topics.
Geography
The Geography department also excels, ranking 46th globally in the 2025 QS rankings. It covers both physical and human geography, with particular strengths in landform evolution, climate geography, urban studies, and regional planning. The department places emphasis on field studies and the application of spatial analysis techniques, consistently ranking high in standardised citation impact (CNCI) measures in Earth sciences. However, this department only offers Master's programmes taught in English, while undergraduate courses are conducted in Swedish. Students interested in Bachelor’s degree programmes may consider the Earth Sciences programme, which is taught in English and open to international students.
When discussing popular departments at Stockholm University, the Social Policy and Administration department must also be mentioned, as it ranks highest among specific disciplines.
Social Policy and Administration
Ranking 30th globally in the QS rankings, Social Policy and Administration is the university’s highest-ranked single subject. However, it’s important to note that this ranking pertains to the discipline as a whole rather than specific programmes and leans more towards academic and research quality. For Hong Kong students interested in public policy/administration training from an undergraduate level, the "International Bachelor’s Programme in Political Science and Regional Studies" taught in English provides a strong foundation in political science and regional studies, preparing students for careers in public policy, government/public institutions, and international organisations.
Overview of Tuition Fees at Stockholm University
According to information from Study.eu, the tuition fees for non-EU/EEA international students for most programmes average around SEK 111,600 per year (approximately HKD 94,700) [7]. The university also offers full scholarship programmes available to international students. Based on the university's official website, the following are the annual tuition fees for selected programmes: [8]
| Programme Type | Annual Tuition (SEK) | Annual Tuition (HKD) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s in Humanities/Social Sciences | Approximately 90,000 | Approximately $76,000 |
| Bachelor’s in Natural Sciences | Approximately 140,000 | Approximately $120,000 |
stockholms universitet
Basic Admission Requirements
Sweden has asset verification requirements for student residence visas, necessitating proof of approximately SEK 10,314 monthly (around HKD 8,700) to demonstrate sufficient financial means for living in Sweden. This requirement is adjusted annually based on local living costs. [9] As competition for admission at Stockholm University is fierce, prospective students must ensure they are prepared with all necessary documents and proofs:
Secondary School and Public Examination Requirements
According to the official guidelines from University Admissions Sweden, applicants for Bachelor’s programmes at Stockholm University must present a secondary school diploma (equivalent to Swedish upper secondary school) and relevant prerequisite subjects, applying via universityadmissions.se. While the university does not provide acceptance statistics, some educational platforms estimate an acceptance rate of about 24% (note: different platforms may use varied calculation methods, and these figures serve as estimates) [10]. Required application documents include high school transcripts, letters of motivation, and conversion of HKDSE grades to the Swedish grading system.
Specific Subject Performance Requirements
Specialised subjects such as the Master's programme in Banking and Finance require students to achieve a score of 475 or above in their graduate entrance exam (such as the GMAT or GRE). [11]
English Language Requirements
Stockholm University sets varying English language requirements for different disciplines, generally expecting: [12]
- An IELTS score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual section lower than 5.5).
- A TOEFL iBT score of 90 or higher (with a minimum writing score of 20), valid for two years.
Some departments, such as the Master’s in Linguistics, require a higher standard, with an IELTS minimum of 7.5 (with a writing score of at least 7.0).
Admission Application Process
Stockholm University offers a diverse array of academic disciplines. Prospective students can submit applications through the Swedish higher education platform universityadmissions.se, with application openings typically from mid-October to mid-January each year. However, specific dates can vary annually, so students should regularly check the university’s website for updates. [13] Only the first application round is open to international students, while the second round is available solely for EU/EEA students, thus it is advisable for Hong Kong students to plan their studies well in advance. The application process is as follows: [14]
- Select your desired discipline and prepare all required application documents, including transcripts, diplomas, proof of English proficiency, and any supplementary documents (if applicable). Register an account on universityadmissions.se.
- Submit your application documents on the website and pay the application fee of SEK 900 (approximately HKD 760) [8].
- Participate in an online interview.
- Await admission results and respond regarding your intent to enrol.
- Upon acceptance, payment of tuition fees is required, followed by applications for residence permits, visa arrangements, and accommodation.
Source: stockholms universitet
Grove Education: Achieving Your Overseas Study Dreams
With a strong QS global ranking and exceptional teaching quality and learning resources, Stockholm University stands out as an ideal choice for overseas study. If you are interested in learning more about the various disciplines at Stockholm University, please do not hesitate to contact Grove Education. We are here to provide you with comprehensive information about academic opportunities and to design personalised study plans tailored to your needs, assisting you with document review, visa processes, and planning your journey to studying at a Swedish university!
References：
1. Stockholm University - The history of Stockholm University
2. Stockholm University - Faculties and Academic Areas
3. Stockholm University - Nobel Laureates from Stockholm University
4. QS Top Universities - Stockholm University
5. Center for World University Rankings - Stockholm University Ranking (2025) | Top Universities [Sweden]
6. Stockholm University - Stockholm University top 50 in the world in three subjects in the QS ranking by subject
7. Study.eu - Study at Stockholm University
8. Stockholm University - Costs, fees and scholarships
9. Migrationsverket - How many different maintenance requirements are there?
10. Global Scholarships - 6 Universities in Sweden with High Acceptance Rates
11. Stockholm University - Master’s Programme in Banking and Finance
12. Universityadmissions.se - English Language Requirements
13. Stockholm University - Important Dates
14. Stockholm University - A Step-by-step guide