A coastal city in South West Sweden, Gothenburg is located on the northern tip of Denmark midway between Oslo and Copenhagen. Strategically located 3 hours by bus or train from both cities as well as from Stockholm, Gothenburg attracts a lot of tourists every year thanks to its amusement park Liseberg. The town crossed by the river Göta älv is a few kilometres away from a beautiful archipelago bathing in the Atlantic. The substantial demographic weight of Gothenburg makes it the second most important city of Sweden. In 2017, it was elected the most welcoming city in the world according to a comparative study (Social Cities Index), describing Göteborg as an engaging city regarding gatherings, open-mindedness to different ways of life, with a focus on what is good for the community. You get the picture Gothenburg has the best of both worlds!
Gothenburg's population flows with the pace of marked seasons. Mild summers flavoured to very short nights make the way to darker and sometimes rainy autumns. Rough cold winters require the purchase of appropriate clothing against the harsh cold and humidity.
Why study in Gothenburg?
Swedish universities focus their education system on personal initiative and independent thinking. In Sweden, teachers and students interact in an informal manner, but while maintaining a steady level of respect. Many workspaces are offered to students who often work in small groups. As a result, they spend less time with the education staff, which nevertheless remains very available to students requests.
All universities, schools, and institutes in Gothenburg offer a wide range of programs.
University of Gothenburg
To give you a glimpse, when we talk about the University of Gothenburg, we mean an institution of about 37,000 students, 6,000 employees, eight colleges structured in total by 39 departments, and 30 centres of expertise and research. Ranked 263rd in the QS World University Rankings, the university stands out in many ways, including a focus on gender equality (59% of employees are women), and an organisation that promotes positive communication and a positive bond between students, researchers, and companies. Yes, you can read that one again! It is with this in mind that cross-disciplinary centres of expertise and research have been shaped into a variety of fields covering most areas of education. The University of Gothenburg is also active on the international scene by engaging in numerous partnerships and strategic networks.
Among the most sought-after colleges, we cannot forget the School of Business, Economics, and Law (SBEL) hosting over 3,800 full-time students. It has four departments (Business Administration, Economics, Economy and Society, Law) and a cross-disciplinary research institute researching various fields such as business administration, ethnology, sociology, law, psychology, education, Swedish language, technology, and environmental sciences. Note that all master's programs are taught in English. An international office is also responsible for managing the exchange programs of nearly 500 undergraduate and graduate students. Furthermore, SBEL has developed partnerships with many international schools and has 900 exchange agreements today and welcomes over 2,500 international students of approximately 70 nationalities.
The IT college owns two departments (Applied Information Technology and Computer Science and Engineering) also attracts many international students. The research covers both the theoretical bases and the development of applied systems. The college welcomes researchers and doctoral students from thirty different countries and develops national and international collaborations with universities and the world of industry. To get an idea of ''the type of partnerships between Sweden and the rest of the world, take a look at their website.
The Sahlgrenska Academy is also worth your attention: this establishment focuses on the fields of medicine, health, and well-being. It has 22 cross-disciplinary research centres for research, training, private sector, and community in general, and yet the College of Social Sciences has the highest number of graduates from the University of Gothenburg. It also manages the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, which provides medical and hospital care to the 700,000 inhabitants of Gothenburg.
Chalmers University of Technology
As we mentioned earlier, the Gothenburg IT college works in partnership with the Chalmers University of Technology. This specialised university is made up of 13 departments covering the fields of architecture, chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental sciences, and information and communication technologies.
In 2017, Chalmers ranked as the 133rd prestigious world universities ranking by QS. It also ranks among the top 100 universities on some QS-specific ranking lists such as electrical and electronic engineering.
The Chalmers University of Technology is a public institution, but it is entirely under the power of Chalmers Foundation. It was founded in 1829, thanks to the generosity of William Chalmers, a wealthy Swedish merchant, whom goals were to provide quality education and promote the university internationally.
Stay requirements in Sweden
Since Sweden is part of the European Union, you won'need a visa to stay or work there if you're from the EU. Nevertheless, some conditions must be respected. Thus, you will need to apply for a resident card, which is necessary for stays over 90 days on Swedish soil. To complete your request, you will have to go to one of the offices of the National Migration Office. This request must be made no later than six weeks before your departure. In addition to the application form, you need to provide a copy of the passport, a letter of acceptance from the university in which you will study, and a document proving your ability to finance your stay and studies (certificate of scholarship, letter of your bank attesting to your resources). Here's some crucial information you might want to know: the visa costs only 30 â¬. Plus, it allows you not only to study but also to work in Sweden.
Tuitions fees in Sweden
Thanks to the Schengen exchange programme, as a European citizen, you will not have to pay tuition fees to study in a Swedish public institution. However, you will still need to prove your citizenship. This is not a difficult task; your passport or/and ID card will do.
Teaching language
English is the language of instruction at universities in Gothenburg, and you will generally have to pass an English-proficiency exam as part of the application process, to be able to take classes at the university. Contact your school for more information, as some universities require a minimum score of 173 on the TOEFL test.
For those who have some knowledge of the Swedish language and wish to take classes in Swedish, they will have to pass the TISUS (Test in Swedish for University Studies). For beginners wanting to learn the language, contact the Swedish Cultural Center.
Be insured in Sweden
Having health insurance in Sweden is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Any student enrolled in a Swedish institution is automatically insured on campus and against any accident occurring while travelling to or from the university.
If you are an European resident, you should be covered by your student health mutual. To be taken care of in Sweden, you will have to present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you will have collected from the social security centre in your home country. This card will allow you to have access to all medical care, without having to pay anything. However, if you are a non-European resident, please make sure to contact your health centre system as the conditions for International Students Health Care may vary. If you are staying in Sweden for more than 12 months, you will need to join the local social security system by registering with the Swedish Tax Agency.
Work in Gothenburg
We might have something that could cheer you up in a second! As a citizen of the European Union, you can work in Stockholm while studying. The ceiling on working hours for students does not exist (it is often limited to 20 hours a week in other countries).
Student associations on campus can help you find a job. Ask at one of the Arbetsfôrmedlingar agencies the Swedish equivalent of the Employment Center. Their website has a series of job offers, and you can also submit your resume online. Finally, the European Job Mobility Portal EURES has a database of job vacancies and a database containing general information on living and working conditions.
Living cost in Gothenburg
Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness obviously didn't know how to spend it'¦ To estimate the cost of your stay in Sweden, keep in mind that European students have the advantage of not having to pay tuition fees to study, and this is available for either a Bachelor or Master degree. Therefore, your expenses will be mainly for public transport and leisure. Plan, think, and compare your total costs and how much you will need to budget ahead of time.
Even if the cost of living in Gothenburg is not as pricey as in Stockholm, you are still in Sweden, and so it will be worth remembering that when thinking about your budget.
Regarding food, eating at a reasonable price remains feasible. Know how to switch up between local shops and major retailers like Lidl for instance.
These tips for your gastronomic outings might help you: most cafes and restaurants often offer free tap water jugs. At the time of the bill, note that the tip is usually included in the bill. Finally, take a look at lunch formulas offered during the week, which are often very interesting. Thank us later!
Accommodation in Gothenburg
Once your enrollment is taken care of, you still have the inevitable yet essential question of housing. This is the first reflex to have before you leave. Register on the website of the host university as soon as possible. If you enrol as part of an exchange program, the university housing service offers student rooms and apartments in the Erasmus and Linné Palme programs, as well as for exchange programs as part of a bilateral agreement. For all students, there are several options handed to you. The university initially offers a limited number of rooms and apartments rented through the SGS Studenböstader housing agency. Among the university residences, the Olofshöjd residence, one of the largest, seems particularly appreciated by international students. The Helmutro residence, located nearby enjoys the same benefits (mixing cultures and an ideal geographical position). According to your means and depending on the available places, you may need to seek private agencies help or contact private individuals. The dwellings can vary considerably (simple rooms, apartments, houses). To lighten your expenses, you can share your accommodation with a flatmate. Boplats Gothenburg, listed on the website of the University of Gothenburg, contains a list of available rooms and apartments. More information here.
And because we are here to help you in your research, here are some useful links like Blocket.se which is the Swedish version of 'Gumtree.com' if you are from the United Kingdom; 'Craigslist.org' if you are from the United States and 'Paririus.com' if you are from The Netherlands. The apartments section is categorised in the subsection "Lägenheter" (apartments) after clicking on "bostad" (property) and selected "uthyres" (for rent). Also check out findroommate.se, hyrenbostad.se, erasmusu.com, immojeune.com, or booking.com. And a last (but not least) little advice, never pay anything until you have seen the apartment and signed the rental agreement to avoid any scam.
To give you a pricing range, expect to pay between 400 and 500 ⬠per month to live in a decent place.
Getting around in Gothenburg
Landvetter Airport is about twenty kilometres from the city. Buses take you to the city centre in 25 minutes. The one-way trip costs 75 SEK.
The local public transport system is operated by Västtrafik which owns buses, trains, trams and ferries. For more information on tickets and to plan your trip, visit the Västtrafik website. Buy your transport tickets in the Pressbyrån or any other store displaying the Västtrafik sign.
Remember when you wanted to go green and buy a bike for the planet's sake? Well'¦ maybe it's about time to reconsider that again. The Swedes are bike-friendly and use it on a daily basis. What makes it even easier is that the quality of the infrastructure gives cyclists the opportunity to move around the city safely. If you do not own a bike, no need to panic! There is a huge market for that, so you will surely find a bike that suits your needs. Gothenburg also has its own shared bike system.
Student life and leisure
Gothenburg is a lovely city that can be explored at any time. Relatively vast, everyone will find what they are looking for. Nature lovers can discover the archipelago facing the city by taking the tram 11 to its terminus near which boats or ferries offer different formulas to explore its many islands, some of which are inhabited. A getaway inland just a few minutes from the city centre can also be considered for a quick trip if you go to Delsjön which is home to a nature reserve, vast lakes, and amazing forests. Lovers of art, culture, and history can visit the Gothenburg Art Museum, the Volvo Museum, the Aeroseum, the Gothenburg City Museum, the Museum of Natural History or the high fortifications (Skansen Kronan) standing on the Risåsberget hill offering breathtaking and striking views of the city. Athletes will not be outdone between jogging, cycling, water sports, and the famous Friskis & Svettis. Some gyms offer excellent prices for students. And because the student also knows how to have fun, take a look at these pubs, brasseries, cocktail bars, and clubs of the city without forgetting Liseberg, the must-visit amusement park during Christmas market.
And for those who crave exciting adventures, Lapland remains a destination of choice for students wishing to be overwhelmed by the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis. If you don't mind a city trip ( we bet you don't), there's always Bergen in the heart of Norwegian nature between the mountains, the fjords, and the ocean; or Copenhagen and Stockholm which are two charming capitals that deserve a visit too.
For students with a group spirit wanting to be able to meet new people quickly, the many campus events held during the school year are also a great way to build a network of friends.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
