A month in Gothenburg, in numbers
| Item | Monthly (SEK) | Approx. EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Student housing room | 4,000-6,500 | 355-580 |
| Food | 2,300-3,200 | 205-285 |
| Transport | 450-600 | 40-55 |
| Phone and internet | 200-350 | 18-31 |
| Personal and other | 900-1,600 | 80-145 |
| Total | 8,000-11,500 | 710-1,020 |
Where students actually live
Johanneberg and the area around Chalmers is the engineering campus district. Olofshöjd and Kviberg are large student housing areas. Angered and Bergsjön are the cheapest, reached by tram. Majorna and Linné are popular and more expensive. The tram network is good, so living away from the centre is normal.
The universities
- Chalmers University of Technology — engineering and architecture, with strong industry links
- University of Gothenburg — broad: business, social sciences, sciences, arts
Work and internships
Fewer ordinary jobs than Stockholm, but engineering thesis projects and internships are Gothenburg's real strength — this is Sweden's densest cluster of automotive and mechanical engineering employers. Work-hour rules follow the national position (15 hours a week on newer permits); confirm on Migrationsverket.
The honest bits
- 1Housing still runs on queues — register as early as possible.
- 2It rains a lot. Gothenburg is the wet side of Sweden.
- 3On the other side: cheaper than Stockholm, strong industry links, and a city on a human scale.
Before you fly
- 1Join the student housing queue, ideally before your offer arrives.
- 2Read the universityadmissions.se walkthrough — deadlines are strict.
- 3Read the Sweden residence permit guide.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
Is Gothenburg cheaper than Stockholm?+
Yes, roughly SEK 1,000-1,500 a month less, mostly in rent. Housing is also somewhat easier to find, though it still runs on a queue system.
Is Gothenburg good for engineering?+
Strongly. Chalmers is among Sweden's leading engineering institutions and the city is a dense automotive and mechanical engineering cluster, so access to thesis projects and internships is among the best in the country.
How do I get student housing in Sweden?+
Two routes, both arranged in advance: the university's own housing offer, and a student housing association's queue. Queue points accumulate over time, so register as early as you can — searching after arrival does not work in Sweden.
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