Sweden Info Sheet
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SWEDEN Contact @ NTU: Jackie Stephens (NTU Sweden Coordinator) Living and Working Abroad Contact: Kia Kertbo ([email protected])
Quick Facts and Figures: • • • • • • • • •
Capital city: Population: Official language: Currency:
Stockholm (1,729,274) 9,016,596 Swedish Swedish Krona 1 SEK = 0.07 GB 1 GBP = 13.4 SEK GDP Per Capita: £20,000 (ca) Time zone: GMT +1 Unemployment rate: 5.8%
Education Sweden is an open, multicultural society that currently hosts some 26,000 foreign students who are studying in Sweden; making for a vibrant, international study environment. English is widely spoken in Sweden, therefore you shouldn’t be worrying that you won’t be able to understand or make yourself understood! You will have a lot of opportunities to make Swedish and international friends during your stay in Sweden. Student life is usually revolving around the students union so its advisable to sign up with the students union of the university you are attending. Education is highly stressed in Sweden where total public expenditure on education in 2003, including subsidies to households, stood at 7.5% of GDP, in compared to an OECD mean of 5.5%. Sweden’s foreign student population is growing according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). OECD = Organization of developed nations (North America, Most of Europe, Australia, Japan) Sweden’s National Agency for Higher Education states that an annual growth in foreign student numbers has been around 14% for the last 8 years, based on their research. Of Sweden’s foreign-student population enrolled in 2004: 20,254 came from Europe 4,411 came from Asia 1,441 from North America 1,026 from South America 954 from Africa 325 from Oceania
The distribution of international and foreign students by field of education shows that over one third choose to study social sciences, business or law in Sweden (34.8 %). This is followed in popularity by engineering, manufacturing and construction (17.9%), humanities and arts (17.6%), sciences (12.4%) health and welfare (9.1%), education (4.8%), services (1.8%) and agriculture (1.1%). An assessment of non-native English speaking countries shows that Sweden is one of only four OECD countries where “many education programmes are offered in English”. Incoming students say the main advantages of studying in Sweden are “no tuition fees and many courses in English. Sweden is considered safe and clean and most believe the quality of courses to be very high here.”
Tuition fees In Sweden, education is free of charge for everyone, including visiting students. This comes from the fundamental belief that means should not dictate access to higher education. Every citizen should have the possibility to study at any level desired. The Swedish government has decided to offer this possibility also to citizens from outside Sweden and Europe. This means that the program we offer does not charge tuition fees. However you need the means to finance your living expenses and study material etc.
What is there to do in Sweden? To begin with the capital city, Stockholm, is a must visit destination if you are going to be living in Sweden for a longer duration. There are loads of youthful, trendy, creative fashion and design shops in this beautiful and cosmopolitan city situated on the Swedish archipelago, plus a wealth of restaurants, bars, cafés, and markets. If you are interested in film you will have a plenitude of cinemas to choose from. There are also many beautiful parks in Stockholm to visit amongst them being Skansen, which is also a Zoo, and Kungstradgarden. If you are looking for thrilling rides and excitement there is Grona Lund; Sweden’s 3rd largest amusement park. If you are looking for something more relaxing maybe you prefer to watch a play at the National Theatre. Stockholm also has many large department stores, international brands, luxury shops, museums, galleries, and nightclubs. Most people go out for a drink at the weekend, and there are long queues from early on outside the more popular places. Some nightclubs charge an entrance fee, usually ranging from £ 3.7 (SEK 50) to £ 7.4 (SEK 100). The age limit for buying alcohol in Systembolaget (state owned liqueur stores) is 20. If you are under 25, you will probably have to present some proof of your age when buying. In bars and restaurants the legal drinking age is 18. Some establishments - mainly in the bigger cities like Stockhom - may only admit people over 20 or 23. To find out where to go just ask a fellow Swedish student or pick up a copy of your local newspaper. As a student, however, you have an invaluable social resource in your local student union. Outdoor activities are big in Sweden! Especially sports. Winter sports like snowmobile safaris, dogsledding, skiing, and snowboarding are available for you to try out. Other sports that are big in Sweden are football, hockey, and tennis. There is plenty of nature to discover in Sweden, where you can go hiking, trekking, or camping with your friends.
Good to know before you get there! Driving Sweden, like most European countries, has right-hand traffic. The legal driving age is 18 and you are expected to have your driver's license with you when driving. A foreign driver's license is valid for a maximum of one year. The laws on drinking and driving are very strict and such behaviour is generally not socially accepted. Tipping (in restaurants and taxis) Service charge is included in the price. But it is normal practice to leave a small tip if you feel you have been treated well. Opening hours Shopping hours are generally between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Shops close between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. In larger towns, department stores remain open until 8-10 p.m. and some are also open on Sundays between 12 noon and 4 p.m. Shops generally close early on the day before a public holiday. Weather It can get quite cold in wintertime so bring warm clothes!!! If you’re lucky you might even experience a snow storm!
Important Dates in Sweden! Important days in the Swedish calendar:
New Year’s Day The Eve of Epiphany, Twelfth Night Valentines day Thursday before Easter Good Friday Easter Saturday Easter Sunday Easter Monday Walpurgis night May Day Ascension Day Pentecost Saturday Pentecost Sunday Mothers day Sweden’s National Day Midsummer’s eve Midsummer’s day All Saint’s Day Fathers day Lucia Christmas Eve Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Eve
2006 1 January 6 January 14 Februari 13 April 14 April 15 April 16 April 17 April 30 April 1 May 25 May 27 May 28 May 28 May 6 June 23 June 24 June 4 November 12 November 13 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 December
2007 1 January 6 January 14 Februari 5 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 30 April 1 May 17 May 26 May 27 May 27 May 6 June 22 June 23 June 3 November 11 November 13 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 December
Living Costs An average monthly budget is set out below to give you some idea of the cost of living in Sweden. Food: SEK 2,400 - £ 178 Student accommodation: SEK 2,100 - £ 155 Local travel: SEK 500 - £ 35 Telephone: SEK 300 -£ 20 Insurance, medical care and hygiene: SEK 250 - £ 18 Clothing, hobby/leisure: SEK 600 - £ 45 Student union fee: SEK 60-70 – £ 4 or 5 Total: SEK 6,676, or about £ 456.
Below, you'll find the approx. prices of some items in (2006, 1 Pound = approx. SEK 13.4): Milk: SEK 8/litre - £ 0.59 Bread: SEK 10-20/loaf - £0.7-1.4 Cornflakes (box): SEK 30 - £ 2.2 Margarine/Butter: SEK 20 /500g tub - £ 1.4 Cheese: SEK 50/kg - £ 3.7 Lamb: SEK 60-90/kg - £ 4.4- 6.6 Beef: SEK 70-140/kg - £ 5.2- 10.4 Pork: SEK 50-100/kg - £ 3.7- 7.4 Chicken: SEK 30-50/kg - £ 2.2- 3.7 Eggs: SEK 2 each - £ 0.14 Rice: SEK 30-35/kg - £ 2.2- 2.6 Pasta: SEK 12/kg - £ 0.9 Soda: SEK 5/33 cl - £ 0.37 Cigarettes: SEK 35.50/packet – £ 2.7 Beer: SEK 6-10/33 cl (at food shop) - £ 0.44- 0.7 Wine: SEK 55- /75 cl bottle (at Systembolaget - the Swedish alcohol retailing monopoly) - £ 4.1 Newspaper: SEK 12 - £ 0.9 Cinema: SEK 85 - £ 6.3 Theatre: SEK 50-200 - £ 3.7- 14.8
Working in Sweden Who can work in Sweden? If you are enrolled at a Swedish university or university college you can work in Sweden without a work permit. You do, however, need a residence permit. Nordic, EU and EEA students need to get a residence permit if they are staying in Sweden for longer than three months. All other nationalities need to get a residence permit before they arrive in Sweden. Visa’s only apply to non-EU citizens who plan to visit Sweden. For information on obtaining a residence permit, contact your nearest embassy or consulate or the Swedish Migration Board directly. Employment Trends Employment trends in Sweden are quite good. The economy and labour market has experienced positive growth in the past few years and the unemployment rate is very low – 5.8% (2005). There are many job opportunities in the private service sector for you as a student. Business sector prospects are relatively good. Large multinational companies based in Sweden (which are Swedish) are: IKEA, Ericsson, Electrolux, Hennes & Mauritz, Saab, Scandinavian Airline Sysyems (SAS), Securitas, Tetra Pak, Volvo, Swedbank, Systembolaget. Many international companies have regional offices in Sweden as well, like Sony, DaimlerChrysler, and Nokia. There are also many vacancies in the tourism sector in tourist centred cities like Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg.
Where to search for jobs in Sweden • • • •
Internet based self-service systems – Vacancy Bank (Platsbanken) General information can be found at the “Arbetsförmedlingen” (Swedish Public Employment Service) European Employment Services (EURES) Placement Office at NTU
Internet addresses to the above are included in the useful links section at the end of this document. Most British students will not find anything unusual about the application process for jobs in Sweden as they are practiced in the UK as well. You can apply to jobs through written applications or through internet based applications; which will usually require a covering letter and CV. Other means are job interviews where usually you are expected to dress smartly; but depends on what kind of job you are applying for. And lastly getting in touch with the employer directly can also be a good way of initiating the application process unless the company specifies otherwise.
Very helpful links on Sweden! The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education http://english.hsv.se/2.7cb94a2910b5ac8d550800012246.html Swedish Ministry of Education, Research and Culture http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2063 Sweden’s official website for tourism and travel information http://www.visitsweden.com/Default____34593.aspx Colorful and informative brochures on Sweden (Download Page) http://uk.swedeninfo.se/ Study in Sweden http://www.studyinsweden.se/ Gateway to Sweden http://www.sweden.se/ Swedish Embassy in London http://www.swedenabroad.com/pages/start____20308.asp Statistical Centre of Sweden (useful statistics) http://www.scb.se/default____2154.asp Stockholm Arlanda Airport http://www.lfv.se/templates/LFV_AirportStartPage_Arlanda____36729.aspx Express Trains to Stockholm Arlanda Airport
http://www.arlandaexpress.com/
Quick Facts and Figures: • • • • • • • • •
Capital city: Population: Official language: Currency:
Stockholm (1,729,274) 9,016,596 Swedish Swedish Krona 1 SEK = 0.07 GB 1 GBP = 13.4 SEK GDP Per Capita: £20,000 (ca) Time zone: GMT +1 Unemployment rate: 5.8%
Education Sweden is an open, multicultural society that currently hosts some 26,000 foreign students who are studying in Sweden; making for a vibrant, international study environment. English is widely spoken in Sweden, therefore you shouldn’t be worrying that you won’t be able to understand or make yourself understood! You will have a lot of opportunities to make Swedish and international friends during your stay in Sweden. Student life is usually revolving around the students union so its advisable to sign up with the students union of the university you are attending. Education is highly stressed in Sweden where total public expenditure on education in 2003, including subsidies to households, stood at 7.5% of GDP, in compared to an OECD mean of 5.5%. Sweden’s foreign student population is growing according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). OECD = Organization of developed nations (North America, Most of Europe, Australia, Japan) Sweden’s National Agency for Higher Education states that an annual growth in foreign student numbers has been around 14% for the last 8 years, based on their research. Of Sweden’s foreign-student population enrolled in 2004: 20,254 came from Europe 4,411 came from Asia 1,441 from North America 1,026 from South America 954 from Africa 325 from Oceania
The distribution of international and foreign students by field of education shows that over one third choose to study social sciences, business or law in Sweden (34.8 %). This is followed in popularity by engineering, manufacturing and construction (17.9%), humanities and arts (17.6%), sciences (12.4%) health and welfare (9.1%), education (4.8%), services (1.8%) and agriculture (1.1%). An assessment of non-native English speaking countries shows that Sweden is one of only four OECD countries where “many education programmes are offered in English”. Incoming students say the main advantages of studying in Sweden are “no tuition fees and many courses in English. Sweden is considered safe and clean and most believe the quality of courses to be very high here.”
Tuition fees In Sweden, education is free of charge for everyone, including visiting students. This comes from the fundamental belief that means should not dictate access to higher education. Every citizen should have the possibility to study at any level desired. The Swedish government has decided to offer this possibility also to citizens from outside Sweden and Europe. This means that the program we offer does not charge tuition fees. However you need the means to finance your living expenses and study material etc.
What is there to do in Sweden? To begin with the capital city, Stockholm, is a must visit destination if you are going to be living in Sweden for a longer duration. There are loads of youthful, trendy, creative fashion and design shops in this beautiful and cosmopolitan city situated on the Swedish archipelago, plus a wealth of restaurants, bars, cafés, and markets. If you are interested in film you will have a plenitude of cinemas to choose from. There are also many beautiful parks in Stockholm to visit amongst them being Skansen, which is also a Zoo, and Kungstradgarden. If you are looking for thrilling rides and excitement there is Grona Lund; Sweden’s 3rd largest amusement park. If you are looking for something more relaxing maybe you prefer to watch a play at the National Theatre. Stockholm also has many large department stores, international brands, luxury shops, museums, galleries, and nightclubs. Most people go out for a drink at the weekend, and there are long queues from early on outside the more popular places. Some nightclubs charge an entrance fee, usually ranging from £ 3.7 (SEK 50) to £ 7.4 (SEK 100). The age limit for buying alcohol in Systembolaget (state owned liqueur stores) is 20. If you are under 25, you will probably have to present some proof of your age when buying. In bars and restaurants the legal drinking age is 18. Some establishments - mainly in the bigger cities like Stockhom - may only admit people over 20 or 23. To find out where to go just ask a fellow Swedish student or pick up a copy of your local newspaper. As a student, however, you have an invaluable social resource in your local student union. Outdoor activities are big in Sweden! Especially sports. Winter sports like snowmobile safaris, dogsledding, skiing, and snowboarding are available for you to try out. Other sports that are big in Sweden are football, hockey, and tennis. There is plenty of nature to discover in Sweden, where you can go hiking, trekking, or camping with your friends.
Good to know before you get there! Driving Sweden, like most European countries, has right-hand traffic. The legal driving age is 18 and you are expected to have your driver's license with you when driving. A foreign driver's license is valid for a maximum of one year. The laws on drinking and driving are very strict and such behaviour is generally not socially accepted. Tipping (in restaurants and taxis) Service charge is included in the price. But it is normal practice to leave a small tip if you feel you have been treated well. Opening hours Shopping hours are generally between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Shops close between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. In larger towns, department stores remain open until 8-10 p.m. and some are also open on Sundays between 12 noon and 4 p.m. Shops generally close early on the day before a public holiday. Weather It can get quite cold in wintertime so bring warm clothes!!! If you’re lucky you might even experience a snow storm!
Important Dates in Sweden! Important days in the Swedish calendar:
New Year’s Day The Eve of Epiphany, Twelfth Night Valentines day Thursday before Easter Good Friday Easter Saturday Easter Sunday Easter Monday Walpurgis night May Day Ascension Day Pentecost Saturday Pentecost Sunday Mothers day Sweden’s National Day Midsummer’s eve Midsummer’s day All Saint’s Day Fathers day Lucia Christmas Eve Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Eve
2006 1 January 6 January 14 Februari 13 April 14 April 15 April 16 April 17 April 30 April 1 May 25 May 27 May 28 May 28 May 6 June 23 June 24 June 4 November 12 November 13 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 December
2007 1 January 6 January 14 Februari 5 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 30 April 1 May 17 May 26 May 27 May 27 May 6 June 22 June 23 June 3 November 11 November 13 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 December
Living Costs An average monthly budget is set out below to give you some idea of the cost of living in Sweden. Food: SEK 2,400 - £ 178 Student accommodation: SEK 2,100 - £ 155 Local travel: SEK 500 - £ 35 Telephone: SEK 300 -£ 20 Insurance, medical care and hygiene: SEK 250 - £ 18 Clothing, hobby/leisure: SEK 600 - £ 45 Student union fee: SEK 60-70 – £ 4 or 5 Total: SEK 6,676, or about £ 456.
Below, you'll find the approx. prices of some items in (2006, 1 Pound = approx. SEK 13.4): Milk: SEK 8/litre - £ 0.59 Bread: SEK 10-20/loaf - £0.7-1.4 Cornflakes (box): SEK 30 - £ 2.2 Margarine/Butter: SEK 20 /500g tub - £ 1.4 Cheese: SEK 50/kg - £ 3.7 Lamb: SEK 60-90/kg - £ 4.4- 6.6 Beef: SEK 70-140/kg - £ 5.2- 10.4 Pork: SEK 50-100/kg - £ 3.7- 7.4 Chicken: SEK 30-50/kg - £ 2.2- 3.7 Eggs: SEK 2 each - £ 0.14 Rice: SEK 30-35/kg - £ 2.2- 2.6 Pasta: SEK 12/kg - £ 0.9 Soda: SEK 5/33 cl - £ 0.37 Cigarettes: SEK 35.50/packet – £ 2.7 Beer: SEK 6-10/33 cl (at food shop) - £ 0.44- 0.7 Wine: SEK 55- /75 cl bottle (at Systembolaget - the Swedish alcohol retailing monopoly) - £ 4.1 Newspaper: SEK 12 - £ 0.9 Cinema: SEK 85 - £ 6.3 Theatre: SEK 50-200 - £ 3.7- 14.8
Working in Sweden Who can work in Sweden? If you are enrolled at a Swedish university or university college you can work in Sweden without a work permit. You do, however, need a residence permit. Nordic, EU and EEA students need to get a residence permit if they are staying in Sweden for longer than three months. All other nationalities need to get a residence permit before they arrive in Sweden. Visa’s only apply to non-EU citizens who plan to visit Sweden. For information on obtaining a residence permit, contact your nearest embassy or consulate or the Swedish Migration Board directly. Employment Trends Employment trends in Sweden are quite good. The economy and labour market has experienced positive growth in the past few years and the unemployment rate is very low – 5.8% (2005). There are many job opportunities in the private service sector for you as a student. Business sector prospects are relatively good. Large multinational companies based in Sweden (which are Swedish) are: IKEA, Ericsson, Electrolux, Hennes & Mauritz, Saab, Scandinavian Airline Sysyems (SAS), Securitas, Tetra Pak, Volvo, Swedbank, Systembolaget. Many international companies have regional offices in Sweden as well, like Sony, DaimlerChrysler, and Nokia. There are also many vacancies in the tourism sector in tourist centred cities like Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg.
Where to search for jobs in Sweden • • • •
Internet based self-service systems – Vacancy Bank (Platsbanken) General information can be found at the “Arbetsförmedlingen” (Swedish Public Employment Service) European Employment Services (EURES) Placement Office at NTU
Internet addresses to the above are included in the useful links section at the end of this document. Most British students will not find anything unusual about the application process for jobs in Sweden as they are practiced in the UK as well. You can apply to jobs through written applications or through internet based applications; which will usually require a covering letter and CV. Other means are job interviews where usually you are expected to dress smartly; but depends on what kind of job you are applying for. And lastly getting in touch with the employer directly can also be a good way of initiating the application process unless the company specifies otherwise.
Very helpful links on Sweden! The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education http://english.hsv.se/2.7cb94a2910b5ac8d550800012246.html Swedish Ministry of Education, Research and Culture http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2063 Sweden’s official website for tourism and travel information http://www.visitsweden.com/Default____34593.aspx Colorful and informative brochures on Sweden (Download Page) http://uk.swedeninfo.se/ Study in Sweden http://www.studyinsweden.se/ Gateway to Sweden http://www.sweden.se/ Swedish Embassy in London http://www.swedenabroad.com/pages/start____20308.asp Statistical Centre of Sweden (useful statistics) http://www.scb.se/default____2154.asp Stockholm Arlanda Airport http://www.lfv.se/templates/LFV_AirportStartPage_Arlanda____36729.aspx Express Trains to Stockholm Arlanda Airport
http://www.arlandaexpress.com/
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