British citizens will still be subject to the rules applicable to third-country nationals (citizens of nations outside the EU/EEA) if they want to study in the nordic country – meaning tuition fee levels – if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement in place.

“It is important Sweden can retain qualified students who add value”

However, the announcement means British citizens already accepted to programs prior to the UK’s expected exit from EU will be exempt from application and tuition fees in Sweden.

“Sweden as a leading knowledge nation benefits from foreign students studying at universities and colleges,” the country’s minister for higher education and research Matilda Ernkrans noted.

“It is important that Sweden can retain qualified students who add value to Swedish colleges and universities, this not least in the light of the work on internationalisation of higher education in Sweden,” Ernkrans said.

Students will be given the opportunity to finish their course or program by the end of 2022, a spokesperson told The PIE News.

Douglas Washburn, marketing manager at the Swedish Institute, noted the importance of finding a short-term solution, giving bachelor’s students enough time to complete their three year course by 2022.

“SI offered our support to the changes that were proposed by the government so we’re encouraged that there is a short-term solution in place for the students who have already applied to Sweden and who are waiting on their admission,” he said

The government also noted that if the withdrawal date changes, the provisions will be applied after the withdrawal.

As of 2017, Study in Sweden estimated the average cost of a masters to be 129,000 krona per year for non-EU/EEA/Nordic/Swiss students, as well as being subject to a university application fee.