Mälardalen University (MDU) Summary
Mälardalen University is a modern public university in Sweden with campuses in Västerås and Eskilstuna. The university is known for applied education, close cooperation with industry, strong research environments, practical learning and programs connected with business, engineering, health, welfare, education, mathematics, design, computer science, music and opera. It is one of Sweden’s younger universities, but it has a strong regional and international role because of its close links with companies, municipalities, public organizations and innovation-driven industries in the Mälardalen region. The university is especially suitable for students who want a Swedish education that connects directly with working life. Västerås is an important industrial and technology city with strong links to automation, energy, engineering and manufacturing companies, while Eskilstuna has a strong profile in design, production, welfare, public services and sustainable city development. This two-campus structure gives MDU a practical identity where students can study in modern learning spaces while staying close to employers, public organizations and research projects. Mälardalen University offers international programs taught completely in English. At bachelor’s level, English-taught programs include Analytical Finance, International Business Management, The Chamber Music Programme, and Environmental Engineering within Planetary Boundaries. These programs are suitable for students who want undergraduate study in finance, business, music performance or sustainability-focused engineering. At master’s level, MDU offers English-taught programs across business, marketing, global strategy, computer science, embedded systems, software engineering, public health, mathematics, financial engineering, chamber music, chamber opera, innovation and design, production and logistics, sustainable energy systems, environmental engineering, building engineering, and politics and sustainable societies. These programs are especially useful for students who want to study subjects connected with industry, digital systems, finance, sustainability, energy transition, public health, social development, music and applied innovation. At doctoral level, Mälardalen University has strong research activity in embedded systems, innovation, health and welfare, industrial economics, future energy, educational sciences, mathematics, computer science, production development, environmental engineering, work life studies and interdisciplinary applied research. Doctoral education in Sweden is usually connected with advertised doctoral positions, research projects, supervisors and faculty-level approval rather than standard tuition-based taught study. Tuition fees depend on citizenship and program. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens generally study tuition-free under Swedish public higher education rules. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland usually pay the Swedish national application fee and program-specific tuition fees if admitted. Mälardalen University states that non-EU/EEA/Swiss students are required to pay tuition fees for studies in Sweden. The university also offers a scholarship program for selected master’s applicants who choose MDU as their first choice. The scholarship covers 100% of the tuition fee as long as the student follows the normal study plan, but it does not cover living expenses. Overall, Mälardalen University is best for students who want a modern Swedish university with strong industry links, English-taught programs, applied research, practical learning and career pathways in business, engineering, computer science, energy, public health, finance, music, education, welfare, sustainability and doctoral research.
