Studying an LLM (Master of Laws) Program in Sweden

PLEASE NOTE: As a result of Brexit, from Autumn 2021 postgraduate students from the European Union studying at a UK university will be charged the same tuition fees as international students. UK students studying their postgraduate course at a European university are also likely to incur higher tuition fees than their EU counterparts. It is advisable to check with the individual universities in the UK and Europe for up-to-date information on tuition fees for all postgraduate programs.

Find LLM programs in Sweden

LLM in Sweden Located in the north of Europe – next to Norway, Finland and Denmark – Sweden is a modern and developed Scandinavian country that has become an appealing study destination for international students.

Despite being sparsely populated, the country has marked its influence in Europe with notable achievements in educational, technological, political and commercial sectors. The nation prides itself in being home to the Noble Prize. It is its thrust on research and development that makes Sweden stand apart from its European counterparts. Examples include the computer mouse, Bluetooth, Spotify and Skype all of which are now a common part of our daily lives and are all products of Sweden’s unique culture of innovation.

Sweden has a thriving economy and standards of living in Sweden are remarkably high. Swedish brands have an international presence such as H&M, Ikea and Volvo. Further, Sweden has a number of large multinational corporations, such as Ericsson, Scania, Electrolux, SKF, Sandvik and Atlas Copco. Also, despite Swedish being the official language of the country, English is widely spoken and as a result many international students do not have to face too much of a language barrier. In fact, English is the mode of teaching in universities and as has been adopted as the official working language by various corporations functioning in Sweden. As a result, students find it much easier to settle in.

Living in Sweden

In terms of living in Sweden the larger cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo offer a modern, happening, urban yet safe lifestyle, while rural areas surrounding the Swedish harbors offer scenic views with tranquility and peace depending on what you prefer. As a result the leisure options also vary. There are a large number of international students in Sweden offering plenty of opportunities to mingle with a diverse group of people from across the globe and to make a new home away from home! Social events at university campuses are a regular occurrence particularly on weekends. There are clubs and societies offering a wide range of activities from hip-hop or ballet to sports to drama or debating. Joining these activities is the best way to make new friends who share common interests as yours as well as to take a break from studying.

Sweden has a well-developed public transport system that connects all parts of the cities in the form of buses, commuter trains, trams and (in Stockholm) the underground are all easily accessible and offer a convenient, quick and affordable way to get around the city.

Where to study your LLM program in Sweden

As previously mentioned, Sweden capitalises on knowledge and regards this as its most valued asset. Consequentially, its educational institutions are advanced and well developed, enjoying high global rankings. The research facilities offered are excellent with particular focus on encouraging analytical thinking. The Universitas 21 raking of national higher education systems placed Sweden in the top countries providing best higher education. There are various institutions offering an LLM program including Jönköping University, Lund University and Stockholm University.

The specialisations offered by these institutions range from International Corporate Tax Law, International Human Rights Law, European Business Law, Maritime Law, European Law, European Commercial Arbitration Law, Law and Information Technology, European Intellectual Property Law and Environmental Law.

Applications & admissions procedures

For admissions purposes, all foreign candidates must hold a first degree in law from a recognised university and must demonstrate proof of their English language proficiency by submitting IELTS/TOEFL scores. For most institutions the required scores are 6.5 on the IELTS or 250 on the computer-based version of TOEFL; 600 on the paper-based version; or 90 on the internet-based version of TOEFL.

Your application for admission should include an application form, application fee, curriculum vitae, personal statement, sample of written work (for some universities), letters of recommendation, official transcripts and TOEFL score report.

Tuition fees & living costs

The duration of an LLM program ranges from 1-2 years. The currency used in Sweden is Swedish Krona (SEK). The tuition fees ranges from 90,000 to 130,000 SEK per study year depending on your institution of choice. On top of this you also have to consider your living costs.

Living expenses will obviously vary according to your lifestyle, but a typical student will probably need to set aside a budget of 7,000 SEK per month for accommodation, food, books and other personal expenses.

There is some possibility of obtaining financial aid or scholarships which are offered by individual institutions. Generally however, students are expected to have sufficient funds to finance their course and to satisfy the visa clearance officer regarding proof of funding. Seeking part-time work may also be a potential option but you must comply with all terms and conditions of your entry visa which only permits students to work for 20 hours a week. You may also bear in mind that the rigours of a masters course may not leave sufficient time for working.

Visa requirements for international students

Non-EU students will require a visa to study in Sweden. In order to confirm the visa requirements for your country of nationality the best source to consult is Swedish embassy website responsible for your home country. For the LLM course (which is longer than 3 months) a residence permit issued by the Swedish Migration Board is required which requires the payment of a fees as well as acceptance letter from a university in Sweden.

Other European LLM study destinations

Are you interested in studying your Master of Laws program in another European destination? If so we have a great selection of LLM destination study guides, including: