Costs for a semester abroad
This page gives you an overview of the costs of a semester abroad and tips on how to budget effectively.
Going on a semester abroad can vary in cost depending on the destination. Some locations may entail extra expenses, while others do not. To get a better overview of your expenses, create a budget for yourself and explore whether you can apply for scholarships and grants to boost your travel fund.
An estimation of costs
In the SoleMove application database you can find information on costs per university. Sometimes you can also find the host university's own budget calculations.
Here you can see an 'estimate of major costs' at a selection of universities. The final cost per semester should be considered approximate, and may be adjusted up or down depending on the type of accommodation you choose, your own lifestyle and any additional expenses associated with life in the study destination.
Approximate total cost per month: EUR 2,660 ≈ SEK 30,200
Approximate total cost for one trisemester: EUR 8,000 ≈ SEK 91,000
EUR 1 ≈ SEK 11.40
Before you leave
- Travelling to Dublin by plane: EUR 200
- For non-EU citizen: Residence permit EUR 300
- Deposit (rent): EUR 735 (UCD Residences) or one month’s rent (private accommodation)
- Insurance: SEK 0*
*You are covered by the Student OUT insurance during your exchange studies (in the country where your studies take place). If you plan to travel during your exchange (or stay longer in the host country than 2 weeks before/after the exchange period), you need to buy extra insurance coverage
While you are away, costs per month
- Accommodation: ca. EUR 1,500 /month
- New bedding and cooking utensils: EUR 200
- Living costs (food, hygiene, meal plan): EUR 600
- Books and copying: EUR 100
- Internet and mobile: EUR 60
- Transport (daily costs, bus card, bike): EUR 50
- Travels and leisure: EUR 100
Approximate cost per week: See below.
Approximate cost per term: SEK 100,000−120,000
AUD 1 ≈ SEK 7
Costs before you go
- Flight to Melbourne: approximately SEK 20,000−30,000
- Visa: AUD 1,600
- Vaccinations / medical examination may be required
- Language test: A Swedish upper secondary school certificate in English at a certain level replaces the language test. Otherwise, language test TOEFL SEK 2,300, IELTS SEK 3,600
- Deposit (rent): usually one month's rent
- Insurance: SEK 0*
*You are covered by the Student UT insurance during your exchange studies, in the country of study. If you plan to visit other countries in connection with your exchange (or stay longer in the host country than 2 weeks before/after the exchange period), you must take out your own insurance.
Costs while you are away
Establishments costs:
- General furniture: AUD 450−800
- Internet connection and telephone: AUD 150−200
- Books and other study materials: AUD 200−350
Ongoing living costs per week:
- Accommodation: approximately AUD 430−850/week (SEK 3,000-6,000/week). The more expensive option includes meals. Read more on the University of Melbourne website it is possible to find cheaper accommodation with private landlords, usually shared accommodation with other students.
- Living costs (food, groceries, hygiene): AUD 155−255
- Electricity and gas: AUD 55−75
- Mobile phone: AUD 20−25
- Transport (daily expenses, bus pass, bicycle): AUD 45
- Travel and leisure: AUD 85−105
Approximate cost per month: SGD 1,500−3,400 ≈ SEK 12,000−27,000
Approximate cost per term (4 months): SGD 6000−13 500 ≈ SEK 48,000−108,000
SGD 1 ≈ SEK 8
Costs before you go
- Flight to Singapore: from SEK 9,500
- Student Pass (visa): SGD 100
- Vaccinations (recommended if you want to travel in the region): SEK 4,000−5,000
- Student services fee (exchange): SGD 66,44
- Health Service Fee (HSF): SGD 132,50
- Insurance: SEK 0*
*You are covered by the Student UT insurance during your exchange studies, in the country of study. If you plan to visit other countries in connection with your exchange (or stay longer in the host country than 2 weeks before/after the exchange period), you must take out your own insurance.
Costs per month while you are away
Living costs for on-campus accommodation per month:
- Accommodation: SGD 500−900
- Food (3 meals a day): SGD 250−500
- Transport (daily expenses, bus pass): SGD 100−150
- Personal expenses: SGD 300−500
Estimated total cost of living on campus per month: SGD 1,500−2,050
Cost of living for off-campus accommodation per month:
- Accommodation: SGD 650−1,800
- Food (3 meals a day): SGD 400−800
- Transport (daily expenses, bus pass): SGD 200−300
- Personal expenses: SGD 300−500
Estimated total cost for off-campus accommodation per month: SGD 1,550−3,400
Approximate total cost per month: USD 1,042–1,645 ≈ SEK 10,375–16,384
Approximate total cost for one semester: USD 4,168–6,582 ≈ SEK 41,501– 65,538 SEK
USD 1 ≈ SEK 9.96
Costs before you go
- Travelling to the US, Raleigh−Durham: from SEK 7,500
- SEVIS fee (administrative fee): USD 220
- Visa: USD 245
- Mandatory health insurance (option to waive; decision case to case basis): USD 1,400
- Insurance: SEK 0*
*You are covered by the Student UT insurance during your exchange studies, in the country of study. If you plan to visit other countries in connection with your exchange (or stay longer in the host country than 2 weeks before/after the exchange period), you must take out your own insurance.
Costs per month while you are away
- Accommodation in NCSU campus:
− in a shared room: USD 881
− in a student flat: USD 1,015 - Compulsory 'meal plan': from USD 200
- Books and study material: USD 100
- Internet connection: USD 35
- Personal expenses: USD 125−200
Approximate total cost per month: EUR 1,000 ≈ SEK 10,600
Approximate total cost for one semester: EUR 5,000 ≈ SEK 53,000
EUR 1 ≈ SEK 11.40
Before you leave
- Travelling to Vilnius by plane: ca. EUR 90
- For non-EU citizen: Residence permit EUR 160
- Deposit (rent): EUR 600 (Vilnius Tech Dormitory) or one month’s rent (private accommodation)
- Insurance: SEK 0*
*You are covered by the Student OUT insurance during your exchange studies (in the country where your studies take place). If you plan to travel during your exchange (or stay longer in the host country than 2 weeks before/after the exchange period), you need to buy extra insurance coverage
While you are away, costs per month
- Accommodation: ca. EUR 400−700 /month
- Living costs (food, hygiene, meal plan): EUR 200
- Books and copying: EUR 15
- Internet and mobile: EUR 30
- Transport (daily costs, bus card, bike): EUR 6
- Travels and leisure: EUR 50
Create a budget for yourself
Add up any savings and other resources and get an idea of what expenses you will likely have. Living costs are usually the biggest expense.
Find out if visas, vaccinations, extra insurance or language tests are required for the universities you are interested in. This information can be found under 'Additional information' for each university in SoleMove.
Find “Additional information” for each university in the SoleMove database
Resources and savings
- CSN student financing per semester (grants and loans)
- CSN top-up loan for studies abroad (20 weeks)
- Savings at the time of departure
- Extra scholarships and grants that you apply for yourself (read more about scholarships and grants below)
- Erasmus+ mobility grant for studies in Europe
Before you go
- Travel (plane, train)
- Vaccinations/medical examination if applicable
- Own insurance for travelling outside the country of study
- Language test (TOEFL, Duolingo) SEK 2,300 or 500 respectively
- Medicines
- Possible double rent for the month of departure (accommodation at home and accommodation abroad)
- Possible large deposit (a couple months of rent) to secure your new home abroad
Insurance Student OUT for the duration of your studies (in the country of study) SEK 0
While you are away
- Accommodation (on campus/off campus)
- Living costs (food, hygiene, 'meal plan')
- Course literature
- Internet and telephone
- Transport (daily expenses, bus pass, bicycle)
- Travel and leisure
Read about former students' experiences
In the travel reports of former students, you can often find how they have financed their studies.
Apply for scholarships and grants
Applying for a scholarship or grant can boost your travel budget and is time well spent. Once you have written your statement of purpose, you can often reuse the text for several other applications.
Make it a habit to apply for scholarships and grants every semester you are registered as a student!
- Grants and scholarships for studies and traineeships abroad
- Scholarships for current students at Lund University
There may also be subject-specific scholarships and grants at your faculty: