University of Gothenburg (GU) Summary
The University of Gothenburg is one of the largest and most diverse universities in Sweden – public research university. The university is located in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, and offers education and research in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, health sciences, business, economics, law, education, information technology, fine arts, music, design, culture, sustainability and interdisciplinary fields. It is a comprehensive university, which means students can study a wide range of subjects, not just one technical, medical or artistic specialization.
The university is especially attractive to students who want a city-based Swedish university with a broad academic base and the opportunity to study abroad. Gothenburg is a major port city, business hub, sustainability hub, cultural city and innovation environment. Students have the opportunity to work closely with companies, hospitals, public agencies, cultural institutions, design studios, research centers, NGOs, maritime organizations, technology employers and international networks. This makes the University of Gothenburg useful for students who want a mix of academic depth and strong professional exposure.
Many full bachelor’s programs at undergraduate level are taught in Swedish, but the university also offers international bachelor’s routes and English-taught opportunities in selected fields. Depending on the current availability, students have the possibility to study subjects such as software engineering and management, social sciences, business-related study, global studies, environmental fields, fine arts, music, design-related education and exchange courses. The availability of English-taught bachelor’s programs may change, so international students should always verify the exact program language, requirements and tuition status before applying.
The University of Gothenburg is very strong for international students on master level. The university has about 80 international master programs in English. These programs include business, economics, finance, management, marketing, innovation, logistics, democracy and human rights, political science, global studies, international administration, public health, global health, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, marine sciences, environmental science, software engineering, data science, applied IT, communication, education, humanities, language, literature, music, fine arts, design, conservation and social sciences. This makes GU one of Sweden’s largest postgraduate destinations with English-taught programs.
The University of Gothenburg has a broad research environment at the PhD level. The PhD study can be pursued in faculties and departments of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, health sciences, education, business, economics, law, fine arts, information technology and interdisciplinary research. Doctoral candidates usually apply for advertised doctoral positions linked to research groups, supervisors and departments. In general, doctoral education in Sweden is funded through employment or research project structures as opposed to standard tuition-based taught programs.
Tuition fees vary by citizenship and program. EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens and exchange students usually have their tuition fees waived. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants pay the Swedish application fee of SEK 900 via UniversityAdmissions.se and, if admitted, the program-specific tuition fees. The university says that tuition fees must be paid in full before the start of each study semester and cannot usually be paid in smaller installments. Fee-paying students can apply for scholarships, such as the Axel Adler Scholarship, a waiver of tuition fees for selected students in international bachelor or master programs at the university.
Overall, University of Gothenburg is best for students who want a big Swedish research university, strong English-taught master’s options, a vibrant city environment, broad academic choice and career pathways in business, law, social sciences, health, sustainability, IT, arts, culture, education, science and doctoral research.
The university is especially attractive to students who want a city-based Swedish university with a broad academic base and the opportunity to study abroad. Gothenburg is a major port city, business hub, sustainability hub, cultural city and innovation environment. Students have the opportunity to work closely with companies, hospitals, public agencies, cultural institutions, design studios, research centers, NGOs, maritime organizations, technology employers and international networks. This makes the University of Gothenburg useful for students who want a mix of academic depth and strong professional exposure.
Many full bachelor’s programs at undergraduate level are taught in Swedish, but the university also offers international bachelor’s routes and English-taught opportunities in selected fields. Depending on the current availability, students have the possibility to study subjects such as software engineering and management, social sciences, business-related study, global studies, environmental fields, fine arts, music, design-related education and exchange courses. The availability of English-taught bachelor’s programs may change, so international students should always verify the exact program language, requirements and tuition status before applying.
The University of Gothenburg is very strong for international students on master level. The university has about 80 international master programs in English. These programs include business, economics, finance, management, marketing, innovation, logistics, democracy and human rights, political science, global studies, international administration, public health, global health, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, marine sciences, environmental science, software engineering, data science, applied IT, communication, education, humanities, language, literature, music, fine arts, design, conservation and social sciences. This makes GU one of Sweden’s largest postgraduate destinations with English-taught programs.
The University of Gothenburg has a broad research environment at the PhD level. The PhD study can be pursued in faculties and departments of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, health sciences, education, business, economics, law, fine arts, information technology and interdisciplinary research. Doctoral candidates usually apply for advertised doctoral positions linked to research groups, supervisors and departments. In general, doctoral education in Sweden is funded through employment or research project structures as opposed to standard tuition-based taught programs.
Tuition fees vary by citizenship and program. EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens and exchange students usually have their tuition fees waived. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants pay the Swedish application fee of SEK 900 via UniversityAdmissions.se and, if admitted, the program-specific tuition fees. The university says that tuition fees must be paid in full before the start of each study semester and cannot usually be paid in smaller installments. Fee-paying students can apply for scholarships, such as the Axel Adler Scholarship, a waiver of tuition fees for selected students in international bachelor or master programs at the university.
Overall, University of Gothenburg is best for students who want a big Swedish research university, strong English-taught master’s options, a vibrant city environment, broad academic choice and career pathways in business, law, social sciences, health, sustainability, IT, arts, culture, education, science and doctoral research.

