Meet 27 000 young Swedes
Saco Student Fairs are Sweden's largest venue for the choice of post-secondary education. Almost 30 000 graduating high school students visit our fairs to find facts and inspiration in our physical and virtual events as well as our digital platform.
Saco Student Fair is the place to be if you wish to reach out those who are about to to make their choice of ecucation, in Sweden and abroad.
Dates and venues for 2024
Digital student fair
February 7 2024, 09.00 - 16.00
Digital Study abroad and Choice of Study Event
April 10 2024, 14.00 - 19.00
Saco Student Fair in Stockholm
27-28/11, 9.00 - 16.30
Saco Student Fair in Malmö
December 4, 9.00 - 16.30
Exhibitors
Exhibitors are both Swedish and international universities and colleges, polytechnic educations, employers and organizations, agents as well as the organizer Saco with its professional associations who provide information about academic careers.
Recruiting in Sweden
Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! Swedish students are very keen to take on the adventure of studying in a foreign country. And the number of Swedes studyinig abroad has begun to increase again after the pandemic.
As many as 50% of Swedish high school graduates take one or a few years off before commencing their university studies. During that time, studies and travels abroad are popular activities.
21 000 Swedes studied abroad with CSN financing in 2021/22, a number which has still not quite reached the level before covid. There were 14 700 free-movers and 5 000 exchange students. 1 400 were enrolled in language studies.
Great Britain is still the largest recepient, closely follow by the US. France has almost doubled since bore the pandemic.
Where do they go?
The 10 most popular recipients in 2021/22 (receiving CSN)
Region | Students 2017 | |
1 | UK | 3 088 |
2 | USA | 3 53 |
3 | Spain | 1 258 |
4 | France | 1 205 New on the list! |
5 | Poland | 1 079 |
6 | Netherlands | 1 077 |
7 | Denmark | 1 059 |
8 | Germany | 823 |
9 | Italy | 803 |
10 | Latvia | 729 |
What do they study abroad?
Source: Swedish student mobility, SCB (Swedish National Agency of Statistics)
Financial aid
Swedish students have the right to apply for financial aid for studies in another country. A condition is that the overseas education has been recognised by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (UHR).
Find out about the requirements for recognition here
The amount of the financial aid/loan is the same for studying abroad as in Sweden. The repayment terms are also the same as for studying in Sweden. However additional finance is available for tuition fees, insurance and travel expenses, etc.
One condition for financial aid from the Swedish Board for Study Support (CSN) for studies outside the EEA and Switzerland is that the course lasts for a minimum of 3 months, full time. Within the EEA and Switzerland the minimum length is 15 weeks.
Language studies
To be qualified for study the courses have to be on a post secondary level if the person is below 20.
Swedes have excellent knowledge of foreign languages
Another reason for the large number of Swedes choosing to study abroad is their knowledge of foreign languages. Having a mother tongue that is not spoken anywhere else in the world, Swedes are encouraged to learn foreign languages early. Language studies give the applicants for university studies extra credits for all educational fields. It is also worth mentioning that the results from studies carried out with focusing on younger people's attitudes show that a very high percentage of young people in Sweden today plan to or want to spend a period of time abroad. Many want to study at university level and there is also an interest for shorter vocational courses and for work experience.
Find out more about the Swedish study system at The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education's website, www.uhr.se
Useful links
- Swedish Council for Higher Education, www.uhr.se
- CSN, www.csn.se
- Visit Sweden: www.visitsweden.com
The Saco fair is a starting point for the choice of education
For many young people the process of choosing a higher education begins at Saco Student Fair. They discover the wide range of possibilities available and are inspired by both education providers, educational organizations and future employers. Our lectures, exhibitors and study guidance counsellors provide everything they need to make a smart and conscious choice of education. The impressions from the fairs are very important for their choices.
How do we reach the visitors
We invite all high schools through their study guidance counsellors, who manage the reservations and coordinate the visit. This year, since we are going digital, we will invite schools all over the country.
Popular lectures
Our lecture program, irl and online, is an important part of the fairs. We organize more than hundred short lectures every day on all sorts of subjects. Some are organized by Saco itself, others are held by exhibitors. Giving a lecture is an excellent way to reinforce your statement. Read more here
Updated: 2024-02-06