Study associations in Sweden’s cities and larger towns offer language courses in Swedish. A wide range of courses is available, of varying content, length and intensity. Some institutions provide board and lodging and organize social activities, while others only offer language instruction. Course providers issue their own certificates.

The courses are financed by fees. These range from about SEK 1,000 to SEK 8,500 per month. Courses that include board and lodging are more expensive. The larger institutions offer courses all year round and you can usually register fairly close to the starting date if there are places left. Others focus on summer courses.

You will not be granted a residence permit to attend Swedish language courses in Sweden that are not part of an accredited degree program at a university or university college, and there are no scholarships available from the Swedish Institute for basic language studies.

Here is contact information for some of the better-known study associations in Sweden:

Folkuniversitetet

Studiefrämjandet

Medborgarskolan (information only in Swedish)

The following associations and institutions offer summer courses:

Riksföreningen Sverigekontakt (Royal Society for Swedish Culture Abroad)

Glossa (Uppsala)

Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket (Sigtuna)

Grennaskolan (Gränna)

Uppsala International Summer Session (Uppsala)

The Swedish Institute organizes international summer courses. These courses, held in co-operation with independent adult education colleges known as Folk High Schools, are mainly intended for students already studying Swedish at university level in a country other than Sweden.

Occasionally, other students are admitted, depending on the number of places available. However, applicants must have studied Swedish for 100 hours or more. Many Folk High Schools are located in the countryside, giving students an opportunity to immerse themselves in the language in a peaceful and genuinely Swedish environment.

Photo: Josefin Olevik