Study in Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is one of the warmer cities in Sweden since it is located on the South West coast of Sweden. The city is a popular tourist destination with 2 universities that offer high-quality education. These two universities offer programs from almost all fields of study making them an important destination for international students. The universities here provide most of their programs in English and cover undergraduate, postgraduate, and even doctoral programs in both technical and professional fields of study.

Students who live in this city will have no trouble finding entertainment options since the city offers enough for both introverts and extroverts alike. They will be able to visit the umpteen number of museums, galleries, and parks in the area along with the sauna and beaches. They will also be able to explore nature or go on walking tours across this small city to learn more about their history and culture. Students will also be able to visit the different nightclubs, pubs, and bars if they enjoy having a nightlife better.

Benefits of Studying in Gothenburg

The benefits of living in a city like Gothenburg include the high-quality education that the two universities here provide along with the experience of living in a multicultural city. Students will be able to immerse themselves in the culture and language of the place and develop themselves to excel in their respective fields of study. A few other benefits include-

The University of Gothenburg has a cross-disciplinary approach to education which allows international students to seek knowledge and expertise in their area of interest without being restricted to their department or program. This allows candidates to not only excel in the degree they have chosen but also in their work field which may not strictly include the core courses of the program they complete.
The School of Business, Economics, and Law at the University of Gothenburg offers the best management-related programs in the city and since the programs are all offered in English international students get to understand and earn their degree easily.
The engineering programs in Chalmers are also ranked to be among the best in the country for students who seek technical education.
Most of the educational programs in the city are offered in English which allows students to enroll in programs without having to learn Swedish though students who have basic knowledge in Swedish will be able to take courses in that language as well if they are inclined to do so.

Finding Places to Stay in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has a housing shortage which makes it a task for students to find accommodation in the locality. Most programs at the universities in Gothenburg offer students with accommodation for an affordable price. Sometimes these accommodations that are provided are included in the scholarships that students receive and, in such cases, they will not be required to pay for the same. The general cost of staying in housing options provided by the university range between 2,800kr to 5,000kr per month.

Students who do not receive housing options from their university will have to register at student accommodation services that work on a queue system. If the student has joined the student’s union, they will be able to gain extra queue time. A few of the sites that students can register at or search for accommodation include-

SGS
Boplats
Blocket
Facebook

Cost of Living in Gothenburg

The cost of living in Gothenburg is relatively lesser than in cities like Stockholm but all the same depends on the kind of lifestyle the student chooses to have and the locality in which they have chosen to live in. If the student is staying at a distance from the city center, they will be able to find affordable accommodation and local markets to buy groceries from. But students who are living in the city center or around it will find it hard to get cheap outlets. Depending on the distance between their accommodation and institution, they will also have to keep a budget for transportation expenses.

The estimated cost of living in the city is around 9,000kr without rent and around 18,000kr with rent which is entirely dependent on the place the student chooses to live in.

Accommodation and Utility Expenses

Finding accommodation in any of the popular cities in Sweden is a task in itself due to the low availability of places. Due to this, accommodation rates are quite high even in areas like Gothenburg which is a student city. Students will be able to find shared apartments, studio apartments, and dormitories based on the amount they are willing to spend as long as they apply early and wait for enough for it. The accommodation prices in the city, like most other cities, are higher when closer to the city center and decrease as one moves away from the city center.

The rent for furnished accommodations in the city range between 10,000kr to 15,000kr per month which is often shared by 2 or 3 students. If candidates are looking for studio apartments, they will be able to get living spaces in a budget between 6,000kr to 9,000kr per month. The utility expenses in the area is estimated to be less than 600kr per month.

Grocery Expenses

The basic prices of grocery items are-

Milk -11.44kr per liter
Cheese- 86kr per kg
Apples- 28kr per kg
Tomatoes- 31kr per kg
Potatoes- 12kr per kg
Onions- 12kr per kg
Wine- 99kr per bottle

Transportation Expenses

Students who live in Gothenburg will be able to get a transport ticket or card which can be purchased at Vasttrafik’s sales outlets. These tickets will allow the student to travel in trams, buses, and even boats with a monthly pass being available for a regular price of 795kr. Students will also be able to get a one-way ticket for an amount of 34kr.

There is also an option of biking if students live close to their institutions though this requires an initial investment due to the cold weather and icy roads. The bicycle lanes are well separated from the main roads and since there are plenty of cyclists, cars and other vehicles always stop for them.

Programs to Study in Gothenburg

A few of the best programs to study in Gothenburg include-

Healthcare
Environmental Studies
Swedish
European Studies
Architecture
Design

Top Universities in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has 2 universities that are known for the quality education they provide. These are-

Gothenburg University

This university was established in the year 1891 and is the third-oldest university in the country. They have a student population of around 37,000 along with over 3,000 academic staff. There are eight faculties in all which deal with fields like fine arts, applied arts, performing arts, education, arts, science, business, law, economics, etc. These eight faculties have over 38 departments from which students will be able to choose the degree they are interested in. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs to both domestic and international candidates.

Chalmers University of Technology

This is a private university that was established in the year 1829 and it has a student population of around 11,000. They also have around 2,500 administrative staff. The university has 13 departments that are mainly focused on the fields of technology, mathematics, architecture, and management. The fields of study include architecture & civil engineering, biological engineering, chemical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mathematical sciences, physics, technology management & economics, maritime sciences, etc. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. The doctoral programs are offered in the fields of environmental science, mathematical modeling, and even vehicle safety.

Entertainment Options in Gothenburg

Students who live in Gothenburg will be able to find entertainment options that range from exploring the city to attending free concerts and visiting the different museums, galleries, and parks. Students will also be able to involve themselves in different sports like ice hockey, soccer, and also go on walking tours that take them around the city. They will also be able to enjoy the seaside charm of the city and explore the nightlife that Gothenburg provides.

Places to Visit in Gothenburg

The places that one can visit while in Gothenburg include the different churches, art galleries, museums, and other historical and cultural sites in the city. Students will be able to also go to the beach and relax in their leisure time. A few of the places that students must visit during their stay in Gothenburg are-

Gothenburg Museum of Art- This museum started functioning in the year 1923 and contains paintings and other works of art from the 19th century. The paintings are from artists across Europe and mostly include renaissance and baroque art.
Haga- This neighborhood was redeveloped in the 1970s and includes cobblestone streets, brick warehouses, and houses with wooden facades that have been preserved ever since. Students who visit this place will be able to experience the hippy lifestyle of the city along with different kinds of eateries. They will be able to explore the affordable restaurants and cafes in the area as well.
Slottsskogen- This is the main park in the city of Gothenburg with one side of the park adorned with lawns, paths, and old trees and the other side left for wild growth. The park also contains a free zoo that students will be able to visit which contains Nordic animals. The place also contains water enclosures that students can visit.

Things to Do in Gothenburg

Gothenburg is a city that offers students plenty of fun activities they can do throughout the year including the different festivals that are held throughout the year. Students will be able to explore nature by visiting parks and gardens in their locality and also take long walks, seek outdoor adventures, etc. in the place. A few of the things that students must do in the city are-

Visit the Fish Church- This is a fish market where only freshly caught fish is sold. The name Fish church came from the resemblance the building has to a Neo-Gothic church along with the obsession the local people have for seafood. Students who enjoy seafood must visit this location to either buy fish locally at great offers or to visit the restaurants that serve creative seafood dishes.
Explore the Maritime Floating Museum- Since this city is built around water and the love for fishing, students who love fishing and sailing will be able to learn more about life in the sea by visiting the museum. They will be able to explore and learn about 19 water vessels if they visit the museum.
Visit the Gothenburg Archipelago- The Gothenburg Archipelago is comprised of over 20 islands that stretch across the Swedish coast. Students who wish to explore the city will be able to take an archipelago ship that will go past boathouses, beaches, and red buildings in the area.