Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)

Overview

Stockholm University of the Arts (Stockholms konstnarliga hogskola, or SKH) is Sweden's university of the arts, formed in 2014 through the merger of several Swedish performing arts institutions, including the University College of Film, Radio, Television and Theatre (Dramatiska Institutet). The film program within SKH continues the tradition established by the Dramatiska Institutet, which had been training Swedish filmmakers since 1970. SKH is authorised to award third-cycle (doctoral) artistic degrees in performative and media practices.

The film and media department is located in a specially designed building at Valhallavagen 189 in the Gardet area of Stockholm. Facilities include full-scale TV and film studios, a professional radio studio, two cinemas, and specialised rooms for everything from animation to colour grading. The building houses SKH's film and media programmes alongside the university's other disciplines: theatre, dance, opera, and circus arts.

SKH teaches primarily in Swedish, and most programmes require Swedish language proficiency. Some master's programmes and independent courses are offered in English; prospective international students should verify current availability on the SKH film and media page. The university's multidisciplinary structure brings filmmakers together with actors, theatre directors, dancers, and other performing artists, creating collaborative opportunities across art forms.

Programs Offered

Bachelor's Programme in Film and Media (3 years, 180 credits)

A three-year programme with different specialisations for students who want to acquire a solid foundation for work in film and media. Students gain knowledge and tools to develop individual approaches to their future professional role and artistic work. The programme offers opportunities to influence their own education and develop competences across more than one expression.

Master's Programme in Film and Media (2 years, 120 credits)

A two-year programme with advanced specialisation courses for those who already work in film and media or have completed a bachelor's programme in the field. The programme strengthens the link between research preparation and artistry and qualifies students for third-cycle (doctoral) studies.

Known master's specialisations include:

• Film Editing - specialised study of film editing craft (study period September 2025 to June 2027).
• Producer for Film, Television and New Media - specialised study of production for film, television, and new media (study period September 2025 to June 2027).

Independent Courses

Shorter programmes in specific film and media disciplines. The range of courses varies: some recur multiple times while others are offered only once, based on industry needs.

Third-Cycle Studies (Doctoral)

SKH is authorised to award third-cycle artistic degrees in the subject of performative and media practices, offering doctoral-level research opportunities in film and media.

Tuition and Fees

As a public Swedish university, SKH charges no tuition for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Non-EU/EEA citizens must pay an application fee of SEK 900 (~$85) and tuition fees if admitted. SKH offers tuition fee scholarships that cover the tuition fee only; no scholarships are available for living costs. Scholarship assessment is based on how the applicant can contribute to the educational environment through personal, artistic, or academic experiences. Scholarship decisions are announced in mid-May for programmes starting in autumn.

Sweden's cost of living is high, particularly in Stockholm. Students should budget for accommodation, food, transportation, and materials independently of tuition. The Swedish Film Institute and Swedish broadcasters maintain relationships with SKH, creating pathways for emerging filmmakers into the Swedish production industry.

Application Periods

Applications are submitted through universityadmissions.se. Application periods may vary slightly from year to year; applicants should verify dates on the specific programme page.

Notable Alumni

The film program's predecessor institution, the Dramatiska Institutet, has produced many prominent figures in Swedish cinema. Alumni include:

• Hugo Lilja and Pella Kagerman - Co-directors of Aniara (2019), which won the Guldbagge for Best Director and three additional Guldbagge awards in 2020. Their second feature Egghead Republic premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and won the audience award at the Stockholm Film Festival.
• Lisa Langseth - Director and playwright. Her feature debut Till det som ar vackert (2010) won the Guldbagge for Best Screenplay and launched Alicia Vikander's film career (Vikander won the Guldbagge for Best Actress). Also directed Euphoria (2018) with Eva Green and Charlotte Rampling, and the Netflix series Katla (2020-2022).
• Maria Eriksson-Hecht - Director whose feature debut Kevlarsjal won the 2026 Guldbagge for Best Director. Her short film Skolstartssorg won awards at Aspen Shortfest and the Children's Choice Award at Nordisk Panorama 2017.
• Agneta Elers-Jarleman - Director whose documentary Smartgransen (1983) won a Guldbagge and Prix Italia. Also directed the Astrid Lindgren adaptation Peter och Petra (1989).
• Kirsi Nevanti - Documentary filmmaker and producer, whose work includes Among the Elves (1999) and Light My Fire (2001).

What Students Should Know

SKH's film and media teaching is based on three guiding principles: co-operation, self-confidence, and reflection. Students work together to utilise the collective power from the encounter between strong, independent individuals. The programme gives students space and freedom to build the self-confidence needed to find their own meaningfulness and dare to think and do new things. Reflection on creativity and the surrounding world is built into the process.

The teaching methods are based on an artistic approach to concept development and craft learning. Students complete exercises where theory and analysis are translated into artistic practice with increasing levels of difficulty. In team exercises, personal expression and co-operation skills are strengthened. SKH's many disciplines (theatre, dance, opera, circus, film) enable cross-border projects that develop new methods and expressions.

Sweden's film industry, while small, produces work that consistently appears at Cannes, Berlin, and other major festivals. The country's tradition of state support for cinema through the Swedish Film Institute ensures a steady flow of production activity. SKH graduates regularly find work in Swedish television, film, and commercial production, and the school's connection to Sweden's cultural institutions creates pathways for emerging filmmakers.

Most programmes are taught in Swedish. International students who do not speak Swedish should focus on the English-language master's programmes or independent courses, and should verify language requirements on the specific programme page before applying. Non-EU students should apply for tuition fee scholarships simultaneously with their programme application, submitting a maximum 500-word motivation describing how they can contribute to the educational environment.

See Also

For understanding Scandinavian film traditions and funding structures, see International Film Markets. To explore cinematography tools, use the Depth of Field Calculator. For planning production budgets for student films, use the Production Budget Calculator.