University West
Everything You Need To Know About University West in Sweden
Are you in the process of determining your study abroad destination? You can choose University West in Sweden, for its internationally recognised Education System, thriving student life, and rich history. In recent years, Sweden has experienced a boost in interest from prospective students. One main reason is the lack of language barriers; it ranks third in Europe for high English skills. Â
The University West has 14000+ students and 750+ staff members, making up one of Sweden’s highest numbers of applicants in each intake. According to the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ), this university is one of the best in Sweden for student employment rates.Â
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Why Study At University West?Â
- This university fosters knowledge development and life-long learning. Its vision is to make Work-Integrated Learning accessible to international students.
- University West holds the privilege of conducting world-class research in collaboration with Production Technology West, Child and Youth Studies, and New Working Life.Â
- This university offers high-quality teaching and facilities. It is also efficiently working for humanism, democracy, and diversity and arranges many open debates and lectures.Â
- It provides international students the opportunities to gain valuable work experience. The Swedish government authorised UW to develop forms for work-integrated learning in 2002.Â
- This university offers 25 undergraduate and 20 advanced-level programs. Additionally, 86% of University West’s graduates are in the job after 15 months of their graduation.Â
In Sweden, University West is ranked among the top universities. It has attained accreditations from several national and multinational agencies. Some of its rankings and memberships are mentioned below.
- In the AD Scientific Index 2025, the University West ranks 25th in Sweden and 690th in Europe for the total H index.Â
- As per the U-Multirank Ranking of 1,948 higher education institutions from over 97 countries, University West is one of the 25 best universities in the world for co-producing scientific articles together with external partners.
This university has membership and networks with many prestigious international bodies including,
- EUA (European University Association)
- STARS EU Alliance
- IAU (International Association of Universities)Â
- WACE (World Ass. of Cooperative Education)
- SANORD (Southern Africa Nordic Center)
- IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience)
- EAIE (European Association of International Education)
University West, known in Swedish as Högskolan Väst, was officially established in 1990 under the name University College of Trollhättan/Uddevalla (Högskolan Trollhättan/Uddevalla). It began as a regional collaboration between the municipalities of Trollhättan, Uddevalla, and Vänersborg, aimed at expanding higher education access in western Sweden. During its early years, the university operated across multiple campuses in different cities, a structure that posed challenges in identity, logistics, and administration. In 2006, the institution adopted its current name, University West, to reflect its broader ambitions and regional importance. By 2008, it fully relocated to a single, modern campus in Trollhättan, uniting students and faculty under one roof for the first time. This move helped solidify its academic culture and community spirit. Though the university is relatively young by Swedish standards, it has earned national recognition for innovation in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and ranks among Sweden’s top institutions for graduate employability.
University West Sweden is centrally located in the town of Trollhattan, in southwestern Sweden. The main campus is located at Gustava Melins Gata 2, 461 32 Trollhattan, Sweden. Mats Jagstam is the vice-chancellor of this university.Â
This university offers two main admission intakes for international students.Â
- January IntakeÂ
- September Intake
However, there are important dates to remember to apply for these two intakes. For that particular information, contact AIMS Education.Â
University West in Europe focuses on industry-relevant programs and offers a modern curriculum. It is famous for its programs in the fields of engineering, development studies, information technology, management, and social sciences. The list of degree programs at University West is mentioned below.
Bachelor’s Programs
- International Programme in Politics and Economics – IPPE (3 years)Â
- Bachelor in International Mechanical Engineering (3 years)
Master’s Programs
- Master in Leadership in Digitalised Organisations (2 years)
- Master in Sustainable Development (2 years)
- Master in Work Integrated Political Studies (2 years)
- Master in IT and Management (1 year)
- Master in Cybersecurity (1 year)
- Master in Computer Science – Software Engineering (1 year)
- Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management (2 years)
- Master in AI and Automation (2 years)
- Master in AI and Automation (1 year)
- Master in Electric Engineering (1 year)
- Master in Electromechanical Vehicle Engineering (1 year)
- Master in Welding Technology (2 years)
- Master in Manufacturing Engineering (1 year)
- Master in Manufacturing Engineering (2 years)Â
- Master in Robotics and Automation (1 year)
- Master in Robotics and Automation (2 years)
It is important to be aware of your desired university’s tuition fee. However, University West offers a cost-effective fee structure which is mentioned in the table below.Â
Additionally, the best thing about this university is that you can pay undergraduate tuition fees per semester in six instalments and some master’s program fee in two instalments.Â
Study Level | Tuition Fee Overview |
Bachelors | The tuition fee for bachelor’s programs at University West ranges between SEK 105,000 – SEK 115,000 per year. |
Masters | The tuition fee for master programs at this university ranges between SEK 120,000 – SEK 140,000 per year. |
This university helps international students access higher education in Sweden and for that, it offers scholarships to master’s students. However, it does not offer scholarships at the undergraduate level. You can avail of one scholarship from these two scholarship awarding bodies.Â
- University West Scholarships
University West offers scholarships based on academic excellence. The scholarship offered by UW covers 25% of the tuition fee for the whole duration of your degree program but evaluates your first-year performance. International students are also required to submit a letter of motivation for a scholarship with the program application.Â
- Swedish Institute SchalarsholpisÂ
The Swedish Institute (SI) offers scholarships for international students and researchers. It is a government agency, that offers a range of scholarships for international students every year. For comprehensive information on this, contact the expert admission team of AIMS Education.
Each program at the University West in Sweden has a specific criterion for entry. However, the general criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate programs are mentioned in the table below.
Study Level | Entry Requirements Overview |
Undergraduate Programs | 12 years of relevant education equivalent to a Swedish upper secondary/high school diploma. |
Masters Programs | A bachelor’s degree equivalent to 180 credits in relevant or any subject. Some master’s programs do not require a previous bachelor’s degree in the relevant fields. However, some degrees like computer science or engineering require a relevant study background. |
A candidate must show that he meets the English requirements for his desired course to be eligible for University West. This university accepts several tests, with minimum score requirements. Â
Language Test | Requirements |
IELTS | University West accepts IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS UKVI (Academic), and IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic), not older than 2 years. It does not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicators. However, an overall score of 6.5 and no section below 5.5 is required for UW. |
TOEFL iBT | This university accepts TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition, not older than 2 years. It does not accept TOEFL ITP, TOEFL iBT MyBest, Institutional TOEFL, TOEFL Essentials. However, you will need to have a minimum score of 20 (scale of 0-30) on the written test with an overall score of 90. |
Pearson PTE Academic | An overall score of 62 with 61 in writing is required for University West. |
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) | C1 Advanced (CAE), minimum overall score 180 (points awarded since 2015), or Cambridge English certificate level C1, minimum score 180, or Cambridge English: Advanced |
Now we have reached one of the important sections of our blog, which is the document requirements for UW. To secure your place at University West, you will be requiring the following documents:Â
- A complete online application form Â
- Identification documents (passport with your data and photograph)
- Academic transcripts
- Certificate of English language qualification Â
- Work experience certificates (if required)Â
- Letter of motivation for scholarship
When you start studying at University West, there are many benefits for you. The student support centre remains open 24/7. You receive amazing student support and have access to the following facilities.Â
- Study counselling service
- Student health serviceÂ
- Language resource support
- Disability support
- IT services and support
- Course literature and encyclopedias support
There are several convenient transportation options to travel in Sweden domestically. However, you can travel from Stockholm and Gothenburg airports to University West Campus in many ways. International students can travel by bus, by air, or by train. However, there are bus terminals near University West, making it easy for students to travel to the city centre.Â
As an alumnus of University West, you become a part of its larger alumni community. You will be eligible for a range of benefits.
- Opportunity to attend your relevant course’s exciting breakfast lectures
- Access a professional alumni network, boosting your confidence
- Able to be a mentor to a student
- Be a guest lecturer at the University of West
University West is centrally located in Trollhattan and offers good commuting connections. You will be able to work in part-time roles during your studies, thus gaining valuable working experience through internships.Â
The Swedish Government allows international students to work while they Study in Sweden. University West itself is one of the biggest employers in Sweden. You will also be given working opportunities on campus.Â
International students at University West are offered accommodation in collaboration with the municipal landlord Eidar Housing AB and the private landlord Hammar Nordic AB. There are shared and single accommodations available for students.Â
However, there is a limited number of rooms available, so accommodation is not guaranteed. Moreover, pets and smoking are strictly not allowed.Â
The attractive fact about Sweden Study is its easy and smooth university application processes. There are three easy steps to apply for University West.Â
- Apply online (keep in mind the important dates for each intake)
- Submit your documents
- Pay the application fee (If you are a Non-EU international student, you will be required to pay SEK 900 application fee)
- Receive your offer letter from the university
- Apply for your Swedish Student Visa
The cost of living in Sweden is similar to other European countries. Additionally, the cost of living varies depending on a student’s lifestyle, university, city, or program’s duration. However, the estimated cost of living for a student is around 8,000 SEK per month.
Moreover, if you become a member of the Student Union at University West, you will be eligible for numerous student discounts at shops, stores, cafes, etc. Â
Final Words
University West in Sweden offers a unique blend of academic quality, career-focused education, and a welcoming international environment. From its strong student support to its innovative Work-Integrated Learning model, it stands out as a smart choice for students planning to study abroad.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your academic journey, let AIMS Educations expert team handle the rest. We can help you apply, keep up with deadlines, handle documentation, and guide you through the admission process with ease.
FAQ’s
This university accepts IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS UKVI (Academic), and IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic), not older than 2 years. However, an overall score of 6.5 and no section below 5.5 is required for UW.Â
If you are a non-EU international student, you will be required to pay SEK 900 application fee. This is mandatory for all non-EU international students.Â
University West is a public research university, offering excellent research scholarship opportunities to international students.
University West does not require international students to appear for the GRE or GMAT exam. However, you will need to have an English proficiency certificate to be eligible for this university.Â
The cost of living for a student in Sweden depends upon his lifestyle, university, city, or program’s duration. However, the estimated cost of living for a student is around 8,000 SEK per month.
To secure your place at University West, you will require the following documents:Â
- A complete online application form Â
- Identification documents (passport with your data and photograph)
- Academic transcripts
- Certificate of English language qualification Â
- Work experience certificates (if required)Â
- Letter of motivation for scholarship
No, this university does not offer scholarships to undergraduate students. However, you can apply for the Swedish government scholarships. Yet, there are numerous scholarships available for master’s students at UW.
