Högskolan i Gävle

Key Highlights

• Public Swedish higher-education institution under the Ministry of Education and Research
• Established in 1977; the current Swedish name was adopted in 1998
• Approximately 19,000 students and around 60 first- and second-cycle programmes reported in 2026
• Member of the EU GREEN European university alliance

Student Life & Environment

Student life is centered on the Kungsbäck campus and supported by the Gefle Student Union and student associations. New-student activities include an optional union-organized introduction period and university sessions covering study routines, the campus, and available support. Joining the union or an association can provide a route into social activities, but participation in introductory events is voluntary. Campus facilities include a library, group rooms, individual study spaces, computer rooms, places to eat, quiet work areas, a non-denominational room for prayer or reflection, and a rest room. Students can also use academic-writing and information-search support, study-planning assistance, student health services, targeted educational support for disabilities, and study and career counselling. The student card provides building and computer-room access and enables campus printing and copying. Housing is not automatically assigned by the university. Students must search and apply themselves, and the university advises beginning early and joining housing queues. Several housing providers offer student accommodation in Gävle, including residences near campus, but availability and contract terms are controlled by the housing providers. This makes early housing planning especially important for students arriving from abroad. The university’s published academic calendar uses two 20-week semesters, with exact programme schedules and examination periods communicated separately.

Location & Surroundings

The university’s main campus is in the Kungsbäck area of Gävle, beside the Gavleån river and close to Boulognerskogen, a large city park. The university states that the campus is within walking distance of the city centre and railway station; its campus information estimates the walk from the station at about 25 minutes. Cycling is also a practical option, both for reaching campus and moving around the city. Gävle has approximately 100,000 residents and offers a more compact setting than Sweden’s largest university cities. City amenities described by the university include shops, restaurants, sports, nightlife, museums, a cinema, a city library, and music and cultural venues. The nearby river, parks, and coastal and forest environments add outdoor options. Rail connections make Gävle relevant for students who value access to other Swedish cities, although commuting feasibility depends on the programme timetable. The combination of an urban campus, nearby green space, and short local travel distances may suit students seeking a manageable city rather than a large metropolitan environment. Applicants should still compare housing locations and transport links before signing a lease.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Swedish and other EU/EEA or Swiss citizens are generally exempt from application and tuition fees under the rules summarized by the university. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland commonly pay both. In the 2026 information, the national application fee is SEK 900, while tuition is charged by the university per semester and varies by programme and credit load. Published 2026 total tuition for listed English-taught programmes ranges from SEK 112,000 for certain 60-credit master’s programmes to SEK 268,000 for several 120-credit master’s programmes. The 180-credit international social-work bachelor’s programme is listed at SEK 306,000. These are programme-specific 2026 figures rather than a universal price, and applicants should confirm the amount on their invoice and current programme page. Tuition covers the admitted course or programme and related academic administration and support, but not accommodation or ordinary living expenses. For autumn 2026, the university’s general international scholarship offered selected fee-paying students a 75% tuition reduction; that application closed on 16 February 2026. A separately funded scholarship covered full tuition for the international social-work bachelor’s programme. Scholarship scope and deadlines should be rechecked for later intakes. The university does not publish a dependable institution-wide salary or employment rate on the reviewed pages. Career preparation instead includes study and career counselling, discussion of educational choices and career paths, and guidance concerning study-abroad or traineeship options. Outcomes will differ substantially by programme, Swedish-language ability, professional licensing requirements, and the student’s work experience.