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Last updated on 19 Dec '25Karolinska InstitutetWhat's new?
For Master’s courses, applicants seeking admission to KI’s Master’s courses taught in English can apply till Jan 16, 2026.
About Karolinska Institutet
Since 1810, Karolinska Institutet has been dedicated to medical education and research located within the Stockholm urban area of Sweden. It is one of the leading medical universities in the world. 33% of all Doctoral students in Sweden enrolled in medicine and health sciences at KI University. This institute has two campuses: Solna and Flemingsberg. There are several hospitals and other healthcare facilities of KI in the Stockholm region.
KI University offers courses at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. Though the courses offered at the UG and PG levels are 40+, there are only a few courses that are offered in English. At the Master’s level for 2026-27, over 8 courses are available. Only 1 course is offered in English language at KI University. Acceptance rate of Karolinska Institutet is 3.9% which means that institute is very competitive.
There are 6,500 students at Karolinska Institutet. Out of this, 2,000+ are Doctoral students. Research accounts for 85% of the institute’s total annual turnover. The research at this institute spans a broad field- from basic experimental research to patient-centered research and Healthcare Science.
Key facts about Karolinska Institutet
Some of the important facts about KI University are given as follows:
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance rate |
3.9% |
|
Annual fees |
Between INR 14.5 L – INR 18 L |
|
Scholarships offered or not |
Yes, at Master’s level |
|
Known for |
Sweden’s largest medical university | Known for its research |
|
No. of students |
6,500 |
|
Type of courses offered |
Biomedicine, Global Health, Toxicology, Nutrition Science |
History
Karolinska Institutet was founded in 1810 by Kung Karl as an “academy for the training of skilled army surgeons”. In 1968, this institute got its name Karolinska Institutet or KI. In 1861, this institute was awarded the right to confer degrees and is granted the status as equal to the university. In 1874, KI was licensed to confer medical degrees. In 1884, Karolina Widerström became the first woman to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine from KI. Then, in 1895, Alfred Nobel's testament bequeaths KI the right to select the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Since 1901, the Nobel Assembly at KI has selected the recipients of Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology. The Nobel Assembly has 50 voting members and comprises professors in Medical subjects at KI, Sweden. Over the years, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to 5 scientists from KI including Hugo Theorell, Ragnar Granit, and Ulf Von Euler.
Yes, Karolinska Institute accepts students from a variety of backgrounds. In total, there are around 6,500 students at the university. Around one-fifth of the students at this university are international. Various master’s programs and one bachelor’s programme are available for international students. Moreover, the tuition fees at this university and will cost around INR 14 L – INR 18 L. Also, there are scholarship opportunities available for international students. One of the scholarships for which international students are eligible is Karolinska Institutet Global Master’s Scholarship.
Karolinska Institutet is one of the largest medical universities in the world. It consistently placed among the highest-ranked universities in the world and has been dedicated to Medical education and research since 1810. Also, KI accounts for the single the largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s the broadest range of education in Medicine and Health Sciences. Furthermore, the Nobel Assembly at KI selects the Nobel laureates in Medicine or Physiology.
Karolinska Institutet is one of the leading medical universities in the world. It has been ranked #49 in Times Higher World University Rankings in 2025. Since 2021, this university has been ranked among the Top 50 Universities globally. Furthermore, it is Sweden's the largest medical university. Also, it is one of the most selective university in Sweden as its acceptance rate is around 4%. Additionally, KI accounts for the single the largest share of all academic and medical research conducted in Sweden. Pioneering research at this institute is conducted in Immunology, Cancer, Neuroscience, Nursing, and Global Health.
Karolinska Institutet Ranking 2025
Karolinska Institutet is a globally renowned university and consistently ranks among the top universities in the world. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Karolinska Institutet ranking is #5 at the national level.
The university is also ranked by THE (Times Higher Education) at #50 in 2024 for the University Ranking category, showing a declined trend this year when compared with the previous year. In 2023, this ranking was recorded as #49.
The university’s courses are also well-recognised by various ranking bodies. Students planning to study at the university, can checkout the top-ranked Karolinska Institutet courses, as per Shiksha Popularity Ranking:
| Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| #1 | MSN |
| #10 | M.A. |
| #1 | Others PG |
| #8 | MS |
#78
#1
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Karolinska Institutet ranking is #49 in Times Higher World University Rankings in 2025. As per THE rankings only, it ranks at #14 in Europe and #6 in the EU. In U.S. News ranking, it ranks at #51 in the world. Additionally, in ARWU rankings, KI University ranks at #43 in the world. Additionally, in the QS rankings, a few of the university's subjects rank well such as Life Sciences and Medicine ranks at #10 and Medicine ranks at #9.
In the 2025 rankings by QS, a few of the subjects Karolinska Institutet rank exceptionally well. The rankings of these courses are given below:
- Dentistry: #7
- Medicine: #9
- Life Sciences and Medicine: #10
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology: #14
- Nursing: #23
- Biological Sciences: #26
Karolinska Institutet Courses
Karolinska Institutet offers widest the range of Medical education in Sweden. It offers 13 Undergraduate, 32 Postgraduate (second cycle) and 98 freestanding courses. Most of the courses lead to General and Professional degrees. There are some of the Master’s courses that are taught in English and only one course is offered in English at the Bachelor’s level (Biomedicine). The study areas of these courses are Biomedicine, Public Health Sciences, Global Health, Nutrition Science, etc. One of the most popular KI courses among international students is Master's in Public Health Sciences.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Yes, KI offers courses in English. One course at the Bachelor's level (Biomedicine) is offered in English, whereas, around 8 courses at the Master's level will be taught in English for 2026/27. Study areas for these Master's courses are:
- Biomedicine
- Public Health Sciences
- Global Health
- Nutrition Science
- Toxicology
- Health, Economics, Policy and Management
- Bio-entrepreneurship
The duration of the KI Master in Public Health Sciences course is 2 years. The language of instruction of this course is English. This course helps students to develop a scientific approach and gain a solid theoretical understanding of Public Health Sciences, with a focus on your chosen specialization. To take admission to this course, the applicants require a Bachelor's degree in Public Health Science, Healthcare, or other relevant Social Sciences subject area. An English language proficiency is also required equivalent to English B / English 6.
Karolinska Institutet offers courses at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. A number of courses are offered at the Bachelor's and Master's levels. However, there are a few courses that are taught in English. Overall, KI offers 13 Undergraduate, 32 Postgraduate (second cycle) and 98 freestanding courses. The courses taught in English are Bachelors' course in Biomedicine, and Master's courses in the study areas Biomedicine, Global Health, Public Health Sciences, Toxicology, etc.
Karolinska Institutet Admission 2026
For Karolinska Institutet admission, Indian students have to apply online through the official website. The general admission requirements include meeting the entry requirements and English language proficiency requirements. The Karolinska Institutet accepts English Language exam scores such as IELTS, TOEFL and PTE as a proof. Also at the end of application process, there is an application fee.
Documents| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
If the admission has been granted to KI, students are not required to accept or reply to confirm the place. In case if the students are conditionally reserved, they are either or required to pay the tuition fees and / or document the degree. Students could also be placed on the reserve list. In this case, refer to the official institute's website.
The applicants can submit Karolinska Institutet application via Sweden’s Central application portal, universityadmissions.se. To apply to KI, here are some of the general application steps:
- First of all, choose the programme in which admission has to be taken
- Then, check the entry requirements
- Then, apply on the designated portal
- Next, fill out the CV that is required to be used in the selection process
- Lastly, do the follow up on the application after submitting it
Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska Institutet Scholarships
KI University does not offer scholarships for Bachelor’s courses. It does offer scholarships at the Master’s level. KI offers a Global Master’s Scholarship. Around 10 scholarships are offered to excellent students per year who have been admitted to the institute’s Global Master’s courses. The competition is high, with approximately 1,500 international students applying for the scholarship annually.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Yes, Karolinska Institute offers scholarships to international students. International students are eligible for two scholarships that this institute offers namely Karolinska Institutet Global Master’s Scholarship and KI-DIS Scholarship. Though there is no additional requirement for the Global Master’s scholarship and an international student who has applied to one of the institute’s Global Master’s programs can avail this scholarship, there is one additional condition for KI-DIS Scholarship apart from just applying to one of the Global Master’s program. This condition is that besides being an international student, the students are required to have studied with DIS in either Stockholm and Copenhagen.
Yes, KI University offers scholarships to international students pursuing courses at the Master’s level. The institute does not offer scholarships for studies at the Bachelor’s level. Around 10 scholarships are offered to excellent students per year who are admitted to the KI’s Global Master’s courses. To avail this scholarship, students are required to apply as per the specified deadline. Karolinska Institutet Global Master's scholarships eligibility is given below:
- Students must have applied to one of Karolinska Institutet’s Global Master’s programs starting in 2025
- Have paid the application fee as per the specified deadline
- Be a first-year student
- Be a tuition-fee paying student
- Meet the entry requirements for the course students have applied for
This scholarship covers the tuition fee only. The living expenses, travel expenses, and other costs must be met with other funding.
The application for Karolinska Institutet's Global Master's scholarship is a separate process from the course application. An application link is activated on the institute's scholarship page when the scholarship period opens. The selection for the scholarship is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant's CV form and supporting documents submitted via university admissions. The assessment is conducted by the academic staff of each Global Master's course. The evaluation is done after considering:
- Previous education
- Work experience
- Research experience
- Statement of intent
2 yearsKarolinska Institutet Placements
The career service at KI works to advise students for future careers. Additionally, KI alumni organize career-related events, workshops, and seminars. Students can also check out GoinGlobal, which is an international platform with jobs, internships, and career guides. Students can also get help with their CVs, improve their LinkedIn accounts, etc. Also, for some study programs at KI, an internship is a part of the program and if it is not, then students can participate in external internship programs. Also, international students can work part-time while studying at KI.
ROI after Education from KI
According to Glassdoor.com, KI graduate salaries in Stockholm are SEK 4 lakh per year, equivalent to INR 35 lakh. This institute's graduates pay an annual tuition fee between INR 14 L and INR 18 L, which means studying at this institute would lead to a higher ROI.
Alumni statistics: Top Sectors
The graduates of KI University are working in industries like Healthcare Services, Operations, Business Development, Consulting, Sales, etc.
Top Employers
The graduates of KI Master’s in Toxicology course have been hired by the top companies like:
- AstraZeneca
- Pfizer
- Goodpoint AB
- Swedish Food Agency
- TrossaAB
The alumni of this university work at Stockholm Health Care Services, Capio Sverige, Aleris, Region Stockholm, etc.
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Yes, international students can do part-time work while studying at Karolinska Institutet. Common student jobs in Sweden are tutoring a language, babysitting, teaching any other skills that a student have, or working in a café or a restaurant. Many students also take an extra job in one of the labs at KI or a student assistant.
As per the details available on the web, some of the places where alumni of KI work are Capio Sverige, Region Stockholm, AstraZeneca, Aleris, etc. The industries where the alumni work are Healthcare Services, Education, Business Development, Operations, Human Resources, Consulting, Sales, Information Technology, Media and Communication, etc.
Karolinska Institutet graduate salaries in Stockholm is SEK 4 Lacs per year according to Glassdoor.com. This is equivalent to INR 35 lakh. A few of the top employers of this university's graduates are Stockholm Health Care Services, Capio Sverige, Aleris, Region Stockholm, etc. The graduates of the Master's in Toxicology course were hired by:
- AstraZeneca
- Goodpoint AB
- Pfizer
- Swedish Food Agency
- TrossaAB
Karolinska Institutet Fees
The annual KI fees to study at the Postgraduate level (tuition fee) is around INR 14.5 L – INR 18 L. Besides the tuition fee, students are required to pay the living expenses. The cost of living in Sweden is high. Cost of Living in Sweden
The following table mentions the living cost for a student living in Sweden:
|
Particulars |
Fees in SEK (Monthly) |
|---|---|
|
Food |
SEK 2,810 |
|
Accommodation |
SEK 3,500 – 7,000 |
|
Student Union fee, books |
SEK 200 |
|
Local travel |
SEK 850 |
|
Other (insurance, clothing, phone, leisure, etc.) |
SEK 1,970 |
|
Total |
SEK 10,520 – 14,020 |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(7 courses) | INR 15 L - 19 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, PTE: 62 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above |
M.Sc.(2 courses) | INR 17 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 62 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above |
MBA/PGDM(2 courses) | INR 17 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 62 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above |
MPH(3 courses) | INR 17 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 62 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above |
B.Sc.(1 course) | INR 17 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, PTE |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Karolinska Institute has specified that international applicants must have the level of English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6. To meet this requirement, the applicants can submit any one of the following:
- An internationally recognised English test
- Certain upper secondary school studies
- Certain university studies
As per the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6, the ELP tests that are accepted are IELTS / PTE / TOEFL.
Tests | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 6.5 and no section below 5.5 |
TOEFL iBT | Overall 90 score, with 20 score in written test |
PTE Academic | Overall score of 62 (Writing 61) |
The annual KI University tuition fee to study at the Postgraduate level is around INR 14.5 L – INR 18 L. Students are required to pay the living expenses. The average monthly expenses for a student living in Sweden can be around SEK 10,520 – 14,020 (Around INR 94k – 1.2 L). The course-wise fees is given as follows:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
MS (4 courses) | INR 15 L - 18 L |
MBA/PGDM (1 course) | INR 16 L |
MSc (1 course) | INR 16 L |
MPH (1 course) | INR 16 L |
The general Karolinska Institutet admission requirements for bachelor’s and master’s courses are given below:
- Bachelor’s: An upper secondary school / high school education must be attained by the applicants
- Master’s: The applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognised university
Besides, the applicants should have an English language proficiency score or equivalent criteria. The accepted English language proficiency tests are IELTS / TOEFL / PTE. For admission to KI, English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6 is required.
Karolinska Institutet Notable Alumni
Some of the popular names associated with KI are Johan Harmenberg, Carl-Gustav Groth, Axel Key, Gustaf Retzius, etc. The list of KI notable alumni along with their professions is given below:
|
Names |
Designation / Achievements |
Pictures |
|---|---|---|
|
Johan Harmenberg |
Olympic Champion Epée Fencer |
 |
|
Carl-Gustav Groth |
Pioneer of Organ Transplantation |
 |
|
Pehr Edman |
Chemist |
 |
|
Lars Leksell |
Physician |
 |
|
Ivar Wickman |
Pediatrician |
 |
A few of the Nobel Laureates whose alma mater was Karolinska Institutet are Hugo Theorell, Ulf Von Euler, and Tomas Robert Lindahl.
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Some of the Nobel Laureates who studied at KI are listed below:
Names | Nobel Laureates |
|---|---|
Hugo Theorell | Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine |
Tomas Robert Lindahl | Nobel Laureate in Chemistry |
Ulf Von Euler | Physiologist, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine |
Karolinska Institutet Vs Uppsala University Vs Stockholm University
Karolinska Institutet acceptance rate is around 4% and out of the listed universities, KI is more selective. A comparison between these three universities is given below:
|
Particulars |
KI |
Uppsala University |
Stockholm University |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Acceptance rate |
3.9% |
Around 70% |
Between 24%-52% |
|
Type of university |
Public |
Public |
Public |
|
No. of courses offered |
10+ (English-taught) |
120+ |
Around 10 |
|
Annual tuition fees |
Between INR 14 L – INR 18 L |
INR 1 L – INR 34 L |
INR 5 L – INR 24 L |
Compare Karolinska Institutet with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 15.33 L - 18.58 L | #53 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 3.12 L - 3.99 L | #1001 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 17.02 L - 25.68 L | -/- | |
| INR 2.05 L | #1501 THE, 2026 |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
Considering the acceptance rate, it can be said KI is very competitive and more selective than Uppsala University. The acceptance rate of KI is around 4%, whereas that of Uppsala University is around 70%. A comparison of these universities is given below:
Particulars | KI | Uppsala University |
|---|---|---|
Acceptance rate | 3.9% | Around 70% |
Type of university | Public | Public |
No. of courses offered | 10+ (English-taught) | 120+ |
THE Ranking | #49 | #130 |
Annual tuition fees | Between INR 14 L – INR 18 L | INR 1 L – INR 34 L |
Karolinska InstitutetStudying in Sweden
Key Facts About Sweden
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Karolinska Institutet Campus
Commonly asked questions On Others
Karolinska Institutet Medical Student Union is the largest and overarching student union. It is open for all students (except Dental students). There are many leadership positions and opportunities for students from every programme to positively impact the quality of education, plan social gatherings, or address any systematic issues.
Karolinska Institutet FAQs
KI accounts for the largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden. It offers the country's the broadest range of education in Health Sciences and Medicine. It is one of the leading medical universities in the world. Additionally, the Nobel Assembly at KI selects the Nobel Laureates in Medicine and Physiology. Around 6,500 students are studying at KI. According to THE Rankings 2025, Karolinska Institutet ranks among the Top 50 Universities worldwide.
Karolinska Institutet
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 hours ago
Karolinska is considered the better place for Nursing studies in Sweden. It ranks #1 in the country for the program, whereas Lund Uni ranks #2, as part of the latest Shiksha Rankings.
Both Lund University and Karolinska Instituet Sweden are considered great choices for a Nursing program. Lund Univers
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
According to unofficial sources, Karolinska Institutet acceptance rate is around 58%. The acceptance rate justifies that the university is moderately selective at the time of admission. The applicants who meet the admission and application requirements have a higher chance of getting admission. Gene
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
Yes, Karolinska Institutet teaches in English. Master’s as well as one bachelor’s programme are taught in English. A total of 11 master’s programs and Bachelor’s programme in Biomedicine is are taught in English. Some of the study programs at the master’s level that are taught in English are listed
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
The duration of the KI MSc in Health Informatics programme is 2 years. KI admission requirements for MSc in Health Informatics are given below:
- A bachelor’s degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish bachelor’s degree of at least 180 credits in Healthcare, Medical Technology, Biomedicine
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
Students can study master’s as well as bachelor’s programs at Karolinska Institutet. At the master’s level, 11 degree programs are available in the Health and Life Sciences fields. The master’s programs are taught in English. In the case of bachelor’s program, only one programme is available in the
Contributor-Level 10
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Karolinska InstitutetLocation
| University City | Stockholm, Other - Sweden, Sweden |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 9,52,058 |
Karolinska InstitutetCampuses
"Solnavägen 1, Solna Alfred Nobels Allé 8, Huddinge"
Karolinska InstitutetContact Information
"Karolinska Institutet
SE-171 77 Stockholm"
Stockholm ( Other - Sweden)
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