Study at Linnaeus University Sweden 2023

Welcome to Linnaeus University

A modern, international university in south-east Sweden. A university located in two nature-loving cities – Kalmar, the coastal city, and Växjö, the greenest city in Europe.

Studying at Linnaeus University means being in an environment enriched with intrepidity, curiosity, and innovation. The learning environment is characterised by an active student life with teachers and staff in close proximity to our students.

We offer you a modern university with the highest possible quality in education. Education that helps you make a difference in the world.

Linnaeus University has highly qualified teachers. I feel challenged every day, and this really supports the learning process. The Swedish way of life balances both work and fika (coffee break), which is something to be learned and shared!

Quality education!

We are proud to be ranked among the top 300 within the field of Quality Education in Times Higher Impact Ranking (2021).

We love research!

Our research covers a large number of different subject areas and is nationally and internationally recognised. This breadth is also a strength in our work for a sustainable societal development, which is a primary focus for our research. In our work, we are determined to set knowledge in motion across subject borders and to integrate research with education and collaboration.

Among the top 900 universities!

Linnaeus University is ranked among the top 800 universities in Times Higher Impact Ranking (2021). We are also among the top 900 universities in the world when it comes to research, according to the Shanghai ranking list (2021).

Bruno from Brazil PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

Study in Sweden

People all over the world are familiar with Sweden thanks to IKEA and AVICII (while the older generation is probably more familiar with ABBA).

The first thing you will notice when arriving in Sweden is the nature, with wintery forests and mountains in the north, and dancing deciduous trees and rapeseed fields in the south. Thanks to the Swedish Right of Public Access, or “Allemansrätten” as it is called in Swedish, you can move freely and experience nature just about anywhere you want.

Sweden is home to some of the most successful innovations in the world and has a leading role in sustainability work. So, do not be surprised by our strict recycling habits, or our streets crowded with bicycles. Being one of the world’s most equal countries, we promote everyone’s equal value. A lasting impression that many get when they come here is how safe you feel, regardless of who you might be.

When it comes to academic credibility, we pride ourselves on having the Nobel Prize. We also have educations that rank high internationally, in particular our master’s programmes.

Another advantage for you as an international student, is the fact that most Swedes are very comfortable speaking English. This means that you will be able to communicate easily with others.

Sweden will also be your international springboard to the rest of the world.

Learn more about studies in Sweden at Studyinsweden.se

Lnu.se/study

Curious about studies in Sweden and at Linnaeus University, how to choose a programme, or what student life might be like? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here you will learn more about university studies and find tips and tricks for your upcoming studies.

On our inspiration site, Lnu.se/study, you will find everything you need to know about life and studies at Linnaeus University!

Chat with our students

Studying in a new country is a major life change and it can be nice to get some support along the way. Therefore, our student ambassadors are available to answer all your questions!

Our students are just one chat away at Lnu.se/en/chat

Hi, I’m Ridma, and I study Chemistry in Kalmar.

Is it a good programme?

For me, it’s perfect. I love to be in the research laboratories.

How do you live?

I live in a dorm, with a small kitchen and private bathroom, it’s very cosy!

What’s student life like?

It’s fun! There are many different student organisations that you can join, depending on your interests.

Ridma

Life as an international student

GET INVOLVED

Something quite unique for Swedish student life is all the student associations and organisations in which you can get involved. So, regardless of whether you like to sing or play an instrument, play sports, be part of the climate movement, or just party, there is a group for everyone.

Student life

Studying involves so much more than just getting an education. It also means making new friends, becoming urbane and sophisticated, falling in love, building a career, freezing in the pub queue, learning a new language, becoming an adult, gaining perspectives, getting a bicycle, and becoming part of a community.

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Kalmar

The student city by the sea

In the city centre, just by the sea, you will find our newly-built university facilities. In Kalmar, everything is close by. The university, shopping, workout, and swimming places are all within biking distance. Most students live close to the city centre.

Good career opportunities

Kalmar has some 70 000 inhabitants. The trade and industry sector is strong in Kalmar and there are about 6 500 companies that are leading within green energy, E-commerce, and eHealth, which means there are plenty of opportunities to establish contacts.

Summer City of Sweden

Kalmar’s city centre is rich in cultural heritage and the city has been appointed ”Summer City of Sweden” on several occasions. Perhaps thanks to the great number of hours of sunshine, all the beaches and concerts. When the sun is out, the area surrounding Kalmar Castle’s moat is full of studying and sunbathing students. Student life is evident in Kalmar.

Växjö

A living campus

Some 15 minutes with a bicycle from the city centre, you will find Linnaeus University’s campus. On campus, friends, restaurants, lecture rooms, gyms, supermarkets, the University Library, outdoor recreational areas, and student pubs are all within walking distance.

The small Metropolis

With its 90 000 inhabitants, Växjö is one of the fastest growing cities in Sweden and is often referred to as Sweden’s second IT city. There are more than 8 000 companies in the city – perfect when you are looking for a job or an internship position.

The Greenest City in Europe

What will you find when exploring what has been called the greenest city in Europe? There are many good restaurants, a title-winning hockey team, and cozy cafés at which you can enjoy your latté with lingonberry flavour. What is more, beautiful nature is always nearby as the city is surrounded by lakes and forests. Our students really appreciate the combination of Växjö city centre, nature, and the active student life on campus.

University studies in Sweden – how it works

The academic year starts at the end of August, ends in June, and consists of two semesters. Full-time studies mean 40 study hours per week and each semester consists of 20 weeks and 30 credits. However, normally, only a few hours per week are made up of lectures and seminars. The rest of the study time is for reading, group work, and assignments.

Programmes and Courses

We offer some 50 high-quality programmes and over 500 international courses in English, both on master’s and bachelor’s level, through distance learning as well as on campus.

Meet the English requirements through our course!

Take our course Preparatory English course for international students to meet the English requirements for university studies. The course is designed to meet the needs of non-native English speakers who wish to develop their English language competencies and be able to communicate effectively in an academic environment.

Academic culture

Studying in Sweden can be quite different compared to studies in other countries. As a student in Sweden, you have great responsibility for your learning process and are encouraged to reflect upon the knowledge you gain.

Here, you will find an informal teaching style where you can call your teacher by their first name and discussions flow freely between teachers and students.

Your studies are flexible with changing timetables and exam forms. On most programmes, you study only one course at a time – which means NO EXAM SEASON!

Studying at Linnaeus University has enabled me to grow. It’s not just a place where you learn; it delivers excellent prospects for students to embrace. I enjoy the multidisciplinary education, carefully designed by the professors carefully design to widen students’ perspectives through a holistic approach.

Prashanth from India SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS, MASTER PROGRAMME

Help during your studies!

We want your time as a student to be the best time of your life! In order to make it easier for you, we offer help in the form of study counselling, study workshops, a Student Welfare Office, and career counselling.

International opportunities

Our students can choose to study one or several semesters abroad at one of our 780 partner universities around the world. We also welcome students and researchers from all over the world. In this way, you will gain a broader perspective and the opportunity to develop academically as well as personally and professionally.

Study Counselling

Have a hard time choosing what to study? Our study counsellors are happy to guide you in your choice of studies. Contact them at vagledning@lnu.se.

PhD studies

If you are interested in continuing your studies after your master’s degree, we have prominent research and doctoral positions in more than 30 different academic subjects. In Sweden, a PhD position is a job, which means that you apply for the position through the university's job portal. Read more at Lnu.se/en/PhD-studies

Applying to Linnaeus University

All applications to Linnaeus University should be made online through Universityadmissions.se, the website where you also find information on how to apply. General information about application, requirements, and the programmes can be found on our website Lnu.se

Scholarships

Linnaeus University offers scholarships to outstanding students who have applied to a master’s programme and are required to pay tuition fees. The scholarship can cover up to 75 % of the tuition fee for the full programme.

For students already enrolled in a two- or three-year degree programme, there is a possibility to apply for a scholarship after the first year. The scholarship covers up to 75 % of the tuition fee for the remaining semesters of the programme.

Other scholarship opportunities

The Swedish Institute coordinates a number of different scholarship programmes which can be used to study at Linnaeus University. Students from a range of different countries are eligible for these scholarships. To find out more visit the website Studyinsweden.se or contact internationalstudents@lnu.se

Find out more about scholarships on Lnu.se

Entry requirements

In order to be qualified for the courses and programmes you apply for, you must meet certain general and specific entry requirements. It is important that you check what is required for the courses and programmes you are interested in before you submit your application.

Bachelor level requirements

In order to meet the general entry requirements for bachelor level studies (first-cycle or undergraduate level), all students must have completed their upper secondary education successfully (high school, post-16) and meet the requirement of English 6 (Swedish upper secondary school course). All programmes also have specific entry requirements that must be fulfilled.

Master level requirements

To meet the general entry requirements for master level studies (second-cycle or graduate level), a student must have been awarded a bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognised university. All programmes also have specific entry requirements that must be fulfilled.

English language requirements

In order to be eligible for university studies in Sweden, students must demonstrate that they meet the English requirements for the course or programme they wish to apply for.

For information about what level of English requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, CEFR etc.) is needed to meet the requirements of English 5 and English 6, see Universityadmissions.se.

Watch our video on How to apply!

Programmes

Check out our educational offer

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Bachelor’s Programmes

• International Business Programme, Campus Kalmar, 3 years

• International Tourism Management Programme, Campus Kalmar, 3 years

• The Marketing Programme, Campus Växjö, 3 years

Master’s Programmes

• Business Process Control and Supply Chain Management, Campus Växjö, 2 years

Frontiers in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Frontiers in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

• Economics, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Social Change, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Innovation through Business, Engineering and Design – Specialisation Business, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• International Business Strategy, Campus Kalmar, 2 years

• Leadership and Management in International Contexts, Campus Kalmar, 1 year

• Marketing, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Tourism and Sustainability, Campus Kalmar, 2 years

COMPUTER SCIENCE/IT Bachelor’s Programmes

• Network Security Programme, Campus Växjö, 3 years

• Software Technology Programme, Campus Växjö, 3 years

Master’s Programmes

• Information Systems, Campus Växjö or Distance learning, 1 or 2 year(s)

• Social Media and Web Technologies, Campus Växjö or Distance learning, 2 years

• Software Technology, Campus Växjö, 1 or 2 year(s)

DESIGN AND HUMANITIES

Bachelor’s Programmes

• Design + Change, Campus Växjö, 3 years

• Visual Communication + Change, Campus Växjö, 3 years

Master’s Programmes

• Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Design + Change, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Digital Humanities, Distance learning, 2 years

• English Language and Literature, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Innovation through Business, Engineering and Design, specialisation Design, Campus Växjö, 2 years

HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES

Bachelor’s Programmes

• Applied Mathematics Programme, Campus Växjö, 3 years

Master’s Programmes

• Aquatic Ecology, Campus Kalmar, 2 years

• Chemistry, Campus Kalmar, 1 or 2 year(s)

• Health Science, Campus Kalmar, 2 years

• Mathematics and Modelling, Master’s Programme, Campus Växjö, 2 years Specialisation Mathematical Statistics and Financial Mathematics Specialisation Analysis and Mathematical Physics Specialisation Algebra with Cryptography and Coding

• Physics, Campus Kalmar or Distance learning, 2 years

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Bachelor’s Programmes

• Peace and Development Programme, Campus Växjö, 3 years

Master’s Programmes

• International Affairs, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Media, Democracy, and Human Rights, Campus Kalmar or Distance learning, 2 years

• Peace and Development Programme, Campus Växjö, 1 year

• Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, Campus Växjö, 2 years

1 year arrow-right 60 credits

2 years arrow-right 120 credits

3 years arrow-right 180 credits

TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING

Master’s Programmes

• Electrical Engineering, specialisation Signal Processing & Wave Propagation, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Energy and Management for Sustainable Development, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Innovation through Business, Engineering and Design - specialisation Engineering, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Renewable Electric Power Systems, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Simulation Driven Product Development, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Sustainable Energy Processes and Systems, Campus Växjö, 2 years

• Sustainable Structural Engineering, Campus Växjö, 2 years

Living as a student

Before coming to Linnaeus University, there are some practical matters you should consider.

Accommodation

Finding suitable accommodation can be both exciting and a worry when beginning your university studies. Start looking for accommodation as soon as possible after you have applied in order to maximise your chances of finding a cozy place to stay. Most live close to the university, usually in dorms.

Residence permit

Non-EU/EEA citizens must have been granted a student residence permit before entering Sweden. You should apply for your permit on the website Migrationsverket.se, 2–3 months before departure. Do not leave for Sweden without your student residence permit. A tourist visa is not sufficient as it is only valid for three months.

EU/EEA citizens are allowed to stay in Sweden without a residence permit for up to three months. If you are staying in Sweden for a longer period of time, you are required to register with the Swedish Tax Agency no later than three months after entering the country. For more information, visit Migrationsverket.se

Insurance

Tuition fee-paying students are covered by the FAS insurance (if you have paid your tuition fee). For terms and conditions visit the website Kammarkollegiet.se.

The FAS insurance is valid from two weeks before the start of the semester and until two weeks after the end of the semester.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland should register for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in their home country before coming to Sweden. This card gives the student right to medical care at the same cost as Swedes.

Arrival and orientation

During the official arrival days, International Office provides pick-up service upon your arrival in Kalmar or Växjö at the train station or airport. A student will meet you at the airport or train station. To help you settle in at Linnaeus University, mandatory orientation days will be held at the beginning of the semester. During the orientation, you will receive both practical and academic information.

As a PhD student, Juliana works in the intersection between Design and Sustainability

For Juliana, the road to Linnaeus University first went from Colombia to London, where she met a Swedish guy. Then love took her to Växjö.

During her maternity leave she found out about the master’s programme Innovation through Business, Engineering and Design, and decided to go for it.

“I found the programme refreshing in comparison to what was offered in other places. I have always liked to collaborate and work with people from different disciplines. I was also compelled by the focus on sustainability and the opportunity to explore and learn about design from a Scandinavian perspective”, Juliana says.

Today, she is a PhD student. She is passionate about teaching and working with her research on design and sustainability, and how we can live in harmony with our planet.

Her research is practice-oriented and conducted in collaboration with householders. The aim is to create a space for looking into possibilities and actions relating to the climate crisis. She is also a lecturer on the programme Design+Change.

“I enjoy teaching and facilitating meetings and interactions between people, and between people and nature”, Juliana concludes.

In times of crisis, the most vulnerable are hardest hit

To study at Linnaeus University means studying in an encouraging learning environment that will help you grow and develop, both within your study area and as a person.

Lena from Germany TOURISM AND SUSTAINABILITY

In collaboration Did you know that Linnaeus University has a unique ad close collaboration with IKEA and Södra for a green and circular future? A good example of the collaboration is the Master’s programme Innovation through Business Engineering and Design – where students get to work with companies to find new sustainable solutions.

Finding a job after your studies

Naturally, we want our students to find work after their studies. Therefore, we have a Career Centre where you can get career counselling and help in your job search and preparation for your future work life. We also have a Job Portal where you can connect with future employers.