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Program Overview

The Swedish Program offers a high-quality semester or year-long study abroad experience in Stockholm that combines rigorous academics, cultural immersion, and strong student support. We are sponsored by a consortium of American colleges and universities, but students from any accredited college or university are welcome to apply.

Location 
Stockholm, Sweden

Institutional affiliation 
Stockholm School of Economics (SSE)

Terms
Academic year, fall semester, spring semester

Eligible students
Sophomores–seniors

Cohort size 
Capped at 50 students per semester

Course load 
4 courses
(4 U.S. semester credits per course)

Main disciplines
Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Swedish Language & Culture. Additional coursework in History, Literature, International Relations, Mathematics, and Art History. See our full course list.

Language of instruction 
English

Program features
▸ Academic and cultural integration with SSE
▸ Academic study visits
▸ Internships
▸ Contact family and host family options
▸ Membership in the Student Association at SSE and access to SSE student life
▸ Cultural excursions showcasing Sweden’s history, society, and landscapes

Resources

Academic Calendar
The Swedish Program follows a semester-based calendar aligned with the U.S. academic year. Each semester includes:
  • Mandatory arrival day
  • Orientation week with an overnight retreat in the Stockholm Archipelago
  • Optional weekend excursion in Sweden
  • Two-week academic break
  • Finals week
  • Mandatory departure date

View the Academic Calendar
Application Deadlines

Academic year / Fall: March 15
Spring: October 1

Application Process

Application includes an online application, personal statement, official transcript, one letter of recommendation, and Home School Approval Form. We have rolling admissions and decisions are issued within one week of a complete application. Cohorts may fill before deadlines; early application encouraged.

Recommended GPA: 3.0. Please note that some SSE direct-enrollment courses require a GPA of 3.5 in prior Economics coursework.

Enrollment Process

Upon acceptance, students receive a registration deadline and submit their $500 non-refundable deposit (if paid by the student). Students select their courses at registration and indicate their interest in an internship, contact or host family, and the optional excursion.

All students (except EU/EEA and Nordic citizens) must apply for a Swedish visitor residence permit.

Key Points
  • Fee: 1,500 SEK (paid online)
  • Online application submitted through Sweden’s Migration Agency
    • Due April 1 for academic year and fall students
    • Due October 15 for spring students
  • Passport holders from a country on this list must complete biometrics at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, DC (does not apply to US passport holders)
    • Travel reimbursement available (up to $400 transportation, $45 meals, $275 lodging)

Students must also meet Sweden’s financial support requirement (currently 11,840 SEK per semester). Detailed instructions are provided in a comprehensive guide sent to students upon enrollment.

The academic environment at The Swedish Program is rigorous, highly interactive, and resembles a liberal arts experience on a U.S. campus.

  • Small class sizes
  • Courses offered Monday-Friday, meeting once weekly (3 hours) or twice weekly (1.5 hours)
  • Attendance required
  • U.S. A–F grading scale
  • Syllabi available online
  • All faculty hold doctoral degrees

Many Swedish Program courses are open to SSE students, allowing Swedish Program participants to study alongside Swedish and international peers.

Direct Enrollment at SSE

Students may enroll in one SSE course as part of their four-course load. These courses:
  • Follow the Swedish academic calendar, which compresses the full workload into eight weeks, resulting in a heavier schedule during the first half of the semester
  • Are typically exam-based 
  • Use the Swedish A–F scale (A = 75–100)
  • Syllabi available online
  • Electronic Statement of Grades issued within six weeks of semester end
  • Optional transcript from Colby College, our School of Record, available for an additional fee

Student well-being is a core priority of the Program. Support includes:

  • Airport pickup and Orientation Week
  • One-on-one advising and regular check-ins
  • CISI health insurance and fast, easy access to medical, psychiatric, and psychological services with direct billing to the insurance provider
  • Premium gym membership including free group classes
  • Ongoing group activities to build peer community (e.g., group fikas, cultural events, and curated local recommendations)
Students are guaranteed furnished studio apartments in a student housing complex in Spånga, a residential neighborhood of Stockholm. Housing includes:
  • Unlimited transportation pass
  • Meal stipend

Motivated students seeking deeper cultural immersion may request placement with a host family (not guaranteed). Students not matched with a host family are guaranteed apartment housing.

Program-sponsored activities introduce students to Swedish culture beyond typical tourist experiences, including performances, city exploration, and sporting events. Orientation includes an overnight retreat in the Stockholm Archipelago.

Students can also engage with Swedish culture through:

  • Internships
  • Contact families
  • Student Association at SSE (SASSE)
  • Course study visits

Each semester includes an optional excursion in Sweden for an additional fee:

  • Fall: The Island of Gotland
  • Spring: The Arctic Circle

 

Fees may be waived for students receiving financial aid.

Learn more about excursions

Program fees include tuition, housing, meal stipend, transportation pass, orientation, on-site support, academic advising, activities, course materials, gym membership, health and personal insurance, and an electronic Statement of Grades.

Additional Costs
  • $300 refundable housing deposit
  • Optional excursion fee
  • Optional School of Record transcript
  • Flights to and from Stockholm
  • 1,500 SEK residence permit fee

Accepted students receive a detailed cost estimate to support financial planning.

Students may attend virtual info sessions, individual advising appointments, or connect with staff directly. Advisors may request campus visits, information sessions, or pre-departure orientations.

Advisor Contact

Courtney Kenny, Associate Director for Admissions
courtney.kenny@swedishprogram.org