Let’s start with the basics 

As a collective, Swedes aren’t too crazy about hierarchy. We don’t generally call our professors “sir” and we don’t say “miss” to our boss. We’re on first-name terms with almost anyone we address, except when it comes to actual royalty. 

Certain aspects set Swedish work places apart from the rest of the world. There are, for example, few companies or organizations (if any) where you could be fired for criticizing your boss. In general, there are quite strong labor laws in place to protect employees. There seems to be a certain consensus that something could be gained from considering different points of view. According to most leadership studies, Swedes prefer their boss to be a more democratic kind of person. Many younger employees expect – even demand – transparency and require management teams to be good at communicating. Why do we know this? Because we know management.

And even though the digital era is transforming the labor market and its circumstances, the Swedish model, with its democratic approach, has paved way for its strong innovative vein. Alongside its more traditional mining and forestry industries, Sweden is known for its innovative and creative sectors. Ever heard about Spotify, IKEA, H&M…? And we’re not even going to get into the tech and IT areas. Read more about the different opportunities and directions you can aim for at the SSE.

At the SSE, we have very close ties to the business community, providing students opportunities to interact with companies and business leaders. We believe in combining theory with practice. Curious about how we do it? Check out the SSE Business Lab.

While some of our students decide to study abroad for one or two semesters, some others decide to pick additional courses at the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES). SSES may be understood as a global network of silo-busters, system-thinkers and changemakers that work to question the taken for granted and strive towards a better future. From the cutting-edge of knowledge SSES provides free of charge courses, experiences and incubation for students and alumni of Stockholm’s top six universities: Karolinska Institutet (KI), the Royal College of Music, the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design (Konstfack), the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), and Stockholm University (SU).

Welcome to Stockholm

To study in Stockholm is to broaden your horizons in a metropolitan jewel – encrusted with beautiful archipelago islands, sweeping green parks and nature reserves, Stockholm is regarded by many to be one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals with its many bridges connecting the islands that make up the city center.

Want to know more about studying in Stockholm?

Clubs generally close earlier than in central Europe, often around 3 a.m. with just a few places that are open until 5 a.m. On the other hand, partying at the student corps is a completely different story. And, of course, there is more to student life than studying for exams and celebrating passing them. It is all about what you are passionate about. We should know. There has been quite a long line of passionate people who have passed through the SSE’s doors; Spotify board member Per-Jörgen Pärson, Magdalena Andersson, Swedish Minister of Finance, and Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder of Klarna, are just a few of them. We have a wide global network of alumni who don’t mind dropping by to share their experiences with us.

By always entrusting us with the task of supplying a new generation of leaders and specialists, the business community has demonstrated unfailing support. Our business school is a school for the community.

The Swedish brand is often associated with the country’s beautiful outdoors. Perhaps you have seen Zlatan’s’ Volvo commercial that was shot in the snowy white wilderness? Sweden’s meandering land border stretches over 1,572 kilometers from north to south. This offers a diverse climate and, in the spring and summer, you can transition between snow in the northern mountain ranges to sun and sandy beaches in the south in just a matter of hours by rail or air.

There is a good deal of truth to the rumor that Swedes love nature. Maybe that’s because there is so much of it. We even put all of Sweden on Airbnb. This love is also represented in the Swedish corporate fauna. The nature theme can be found in all branches of business, not only when it comes to attracting tourists. We know how to think outside the box. Want to learn how to build a brand like Zlatan?

What about the Swedes – are they as frosty as the climate?

Well no. As we all know all stereotypes are just that - stereotypes. We might not be the chattiest of people, but we’re friendly and helpful – and we are very keen to practice our English. Almost all films are subtitled, so other languages play a central role in our consumption of pop culture. In general Swedes –particularly those in the major cities – have extremely well-developed feelers when it comes to detecting “what’s new”. That applies to most things: from clothes and design to food and drink. We are keen travelers and we aren’t afraid to be inspired by the rest of the world, picking out the best bits and incorporating them into our own lifestyle.

Because we are very open-minded, Sweden is a great nation in terms of innovation, particularly considering our relatively small population. Start-up rates are high and the strong industrial history provides a great labor market for business-oriented engineers. Most larger IT and technology employers are situated in or close to Stockholm. We cooperate with top schools all over the world and are a member of the prestigious CEMS networks. And, above all, we have a close relationship with your future employers and believe in getting your business feet wet early on. At SSE, you can expect a close encounter with business reality with everything from guest lecturers, trainee programs and research networks. Of the top 30 Swedish companies on the OMX Stockholm, more than 90% have at least one SSE alum in their Board of Directors and Executive Management team. Our alumni have indeed a strong impact the world and our mission is to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

The “Handels” power house

The BSc and MSc employment reports, which are prepared every year, prove that studying at the SSE pays off. Of those who graduated from SSE's BSc and MSc programs in 2023, more than 90 percent had jobs within three months of graduation.

Want to know more about the different programs at SSE? Read more here!