Tuition fees: an introduction
Learn about how tuition fees in Sweden and at Umeå University work by reading the section below.
Legal background
Ordinance on application fees and tuition fees at higher education institutions (2010:543) regulates fees in Sweden and stipulates that all non-EU/EEA citizens are required to pay tuition for studies for higher education, with a few exceptions.
During the admission process, an assessment is made about the student's requirement to pay tuition fees in accordance with the ordinance and if the student is assessed as fee-paying, an invoice is issued. Unless the student can provide documentation that they are exempt from paying the fees, the invoice must be paid for the process to continue.
Umeå University has its own regulatory document, Rules for tuition fees, where rules and regulations regarding fee-paying students at Umeå University can be found. We recommend that all students read this document before paying their fees.
Umeå University's Rules for tuition fees
Tuition-fee levels
Tuition-fee levels vary depending on the course and programme.
Information on tuition fees for specific courses and programmes can be found on each course and programme page, and on the University Admissions website.
The tuition rates for degree programmes and full-time studies range from SEK 96,600 per year to SEK 395,700 per year, depending on the field of study.
Tuition fee exemptions
In general, individuals who are citizens of countries outside of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees. There are, however, some exceptions to this general rule.
On the University Admissions website, you can find more information about who is required to pay for their studies.
If you believe that you are exempt from paying tuition fees, please upload supporting documents to your account on University Admissions. Once you have done so, contact tuitionfees@umu.se.
Invoices
Current students studying on a programme will be invoiced for the full tuition fee for the upcoming semester. This is usually sent in mid-May for payments for the autumn semester, and mid-October for the spring semester. The deadlines to pay are 10 August for the autumn semester, and 10 January for the spring semester.
We recommend watching our instruction video on how to pay your invoice, as well as reading the information on this webpage, before making your payment.
Rules for tuition fees
Before making your payment, please thoroughly read Umeå University's Rules for tuition fees. These will give you more information regarding the rules and regulations for fee-paying students at Umeå University.
Instalments
Please note that at Umeå University, tuition fees are paid in instalments. These instalments are divided into equal payments based upon the total cost of the fees for your programme. The instalments are for 30 credits. You will need to pay the full amount, even if you plan on studying fewer than 30 credits.
Find instalment amounts on the programme page
Paying your invoice
The tuition fee should be paid in full via an international bank transfer (wire transfer). Payment information can be found on the invoice, as well as on Umeå University's website.
When making your payment, it is vital that you include your reference number. This can be found on the invoice. The reference number is the most important information to include, as it means that we can track and can correctly link the payment to you.
It is possible for someone else to make the payment on your behalf, but please note that in case of a refund, the money is refunded to the original bank that the payment was made from. It is your responsibility as a student to pay your invoice through a trusted source.
Deadline for payment
The deadline to pay your invoice in full can be found on Ladok as well as on the invoice itself. The deadline for making the payment is 10 August for the autumn semester and 10 January for the spring semester.
The deadline marks the date the full payment must have reached Umeå University’s bank account. We therefore recommend that you make your payment well in advance of the deadline, to account for time needed for the transaction to reach the University's account.
If a student fails to pay their fees in full by the deadline, a suspension process will begin.
Currencies
Your fees are invoiced in SEK (Swedish kronor). You may make your payment in other currencies, such as USD or EUR, but we do not set up invoices in those currencies.
It is the student’s own responsibility to make sure that the total amount that Umeå University receives corresponds with the amount in SEK. Umeå University holds no responsibility for conversion fees, nor for any fees that intermediary banks may take.
If you have any questions regarding currency conversions, please contact your bank directly.
Freestanding courses/single subject courses
Current students that have applied for freestanding/single subject courses will be invoiced after the Notification of Selection Results are published. The invoice needs to be paid within ten days of invoicing. The deadline will be stated on the invoice.
These courses are invoiced separately from the semester fee. In case of non-payment of invoices for freestanding/single subject courses, the student will lose their place on the course that they have been invoiced for.
After paying your invoice
There is no need to contact us to let us know that you have paid your invoice.
Please allow ten working days for your payment to update on your Ladok account. This is to account for time required for bank transfers, and for the administrative work that needs to be done in order to process the payment.
We will update your payment status on Ladok as soon as we can. Once we have done so, you will receive an automated email from Ladok stating that your tuition case has been processed. Please log into your student page on Ladok to see whether the payment was made in full, or if you have a remaining sum left to pay. Once the payment has been made in full, you may proceed with applying for your residence permit.
If you do not receive an email within ten working days, please contact us at tuitionfees@umu.se. Include your swift copy in this email, so that we can track the payment.
FAQ – tuition fees and refunds
We have collected some frequently asked questions and answers about tuition fees and refunds to help you along the way.
