Why students consider Europe
- English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes in many fields.
- Central application portals in Sweden (University Admissions) and Finland (Studyinfo).
- Each country's migration agency publishes clear guidance on residence permits for studies.
- Smaller student communities and a focus on independent, project-based learning.
Common study pathways
Sweden
Bachelor's and master's programmes, mostly applied for through universityadmissions.se. Non-EU/EEA students generally pay tuition fees.
Finland
Bachelor's and master's programmes, applied for through studyinfo.fi or directly. Tuition fees generally apply to non-EU/EEA students on English-taught degrees.
Lithuania
Bachelor's and master's programmes applied for directly with universities or through national systems. Check each university for fees and procedures.
Types of institutions
Public universities and universities of applied sciences. Application rounds and deadlines differ by country and are often early in the year for autumn intakes.
General admissions considerations
Requirements are set by each institution and course. Most applications ask for:
- Certified transcripts and certificates in the formats each portal requires.
- Proof of English proficiency.
- Motivation letter, CV and references for many master's programmes.
- Payment of an application fee and, after admission, the first tuition instalment where required.
English language requirements
Each university and application portal lists accepted English tests and alternatives. Requirements differ by country and programme.
Tuition and living costs
Tuition fees and the funds you must show for a residence permit are set nationally and by universities, and change over time. Use the official university and migration agency pages for current amounts.
Scholarships
Universities offer tuition-fee scholarships for some non-EU students, and some governments run limited scholarship schemes. They are competitive and often require early applications. See our scholarship guidance service.
Student visa process — overview
- Non-EU students generally need a residence permit for studies (Sweden, Finland) or the relevant national permit (Lithuania) before travelling for a long course.
- You normally apply after receiving your admission letter and paying any required tuition fee.
- Each migration agency sets its own requirements for funds, insurance and documents.
- Processing times vary by season — apply as early as the rules allow.
Who decides: universities make admission decisions, scholarship providers award scholarships, and governments decide student visas. We help you prepare; we never guarantee an outcome.
How Consult Cell helps
- Shortlisting courses and institutions that match your grades, goals and budget
- Explaining each university's requirements and deadlines
- Reviewing your personal statement and application documents
- Guiding you through the student visa steps and document checklist
- Interview preparation and pre-departure guidance
Frequently asked questions
Is study free in Sweden and Finland?
Generally not for non-EU/EEA students on degree programmes — tuition fees usually apply, though universities offer some fee scholarships.
When should I apply?
Application rounds for autumn intakes often open in the preceding autumn and close early in the year. Check each portal's current dates.
Do I apply for a visa or a residence permit?
For long courses, non-EU students generally apply for a residence permit for studies (or the relevant national permit). Check the migration agency of your chosen country.
Official sources
Rules change. Always confirm requirements on the official pages below before you pay any fee or submit an application.
- Swedish Migration Agency — Studies in higher education
- University Admissions in Sweden
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) — Studies
- Studyinfo.fi
- Migration Department of Lithuania
Information on this page was last checked against these sources on by the Consult Cell team.