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Tag archives for Master’s degree

Graduation time again

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Yesterday, I took the train to Örebro University in order to give a short speech at their master’s degree graduation ceremony for international students. I was there a year ago for the same event, so this time I knew what to expect. A potpourri of speeches, Swedish folk music, hor d’oeuvres and proud students and professors. Like the last time, I was invited as a representative of the Swedish Institute to say some encouraging words about keeping in contact with Sweden in the future. Read more » >>

Karl Peterson — Study

June 8, 2012

Increasing number of applications for master’s programs in Sweden

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According to Universityadmissions.se the number of international applicants for master’s degree programs at Swedish universities have increased with 24 % compared to 2011.

The number of students that have paid the application fee has increased with 22 % so the increase is not mainly related to an increase in applicants that are exempt from fees. (Due to EU legislation, students from the EU/EEA, like Swedish students, do not need to pay tuition fees.)

Increasing number of international applications

Increasing number of international applications for Swedish mastern's degree programs. Photo: Ulf Lundin

Here’s a list of the top ten countries (with the number of applicants from each country in parenthesis)*:

  1. Sweden (1330)
  2. Germany (918)
  3. China (883)
  4. Great Britain (807)
  5. India (755)
  6. U.S.A. (639)
  7. Greece (562)
  8. Iran (531)
  9. Bangladesh (475)
  10. Pakistan (425)

And here’s a breakdown over the top ten most popular universities (with the number of applicants in parenthesis):

  1. Lund University (11449)
  2. Stockholm University (6724)
  3. KTH Royal Institute of Technology (5534)
  4. Chalmers University of Technology (5032)
  5. Uppsala University (4611)
  6. Linköping University (3905)
  7. University of Gothenburg (3592)
  8. Stockholm School of Economics (2169)
  9. Malmö University (2084)
  10. Blekinge Institute of Technology (1931)

If you are interested in more detailed statistics, including number of applicants for individual study programs, here is an excel file of the complete list of statistics from The Swedish Agency for Higher Education Services (VHS). We’re all about transparency. :)

* The list refers to the number of students that have either paid the application fee or are exempt from application fees. The total number of applicants per country can be found in the excel file above.

Karl Peterson — Study

February 28, 2012

Studera.nu is no more — Long live Universityadmissions.se

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When you apply for university level studies in Sweden you are bound to come in contact with Sweden’s national (online) application portal. The Swedish Agency for Higher Education Services (VHS), which is responsible for the application and admission process, has recently unveiled Universityadmissions.se.

Universityadmissions.se
Universityadmissions.se is directed exclusively to international students applying for higher education in Sweden. So if you are from Sweden or want to apply for programs held in Swedish — you should instead go to Antagning.se. I hope and believe that Universityadmissions.se will be a step forward compared to the now defunct application portal Studera.nu, which received substantial criticism (sometimes well deserved) for its lack of usability.

So what’s new, what does it do, and how do I use it?

In short, Universityadmissions.se provides a searchable database of all degree programs and courses that are available for international applicants. When the application period for Autumn 2012 has started (December 1, 2011), it is through Universityadmissions.se that you send in your online application, pay the application fee (if applicable), follow your application in progress (including sending in the required documentation) — and when you have received your notification of selection results, reply to any offers of admission.

However, before you get carried away and start with your online application I would recommend that you have a look at the general guidelines about how to apply to higher education in Sweden at Studyinsweden.se.

Karl Peterson — Study

September 29, 2011

Sweden and beyond

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When on the topic of diploma ceremonies, Örebro University recently held a diploma ceremony for their international master’s students. I was invited, as a representative of the Swedish Institute, to say a few things about Sweden and some encouraging words about keeping in contact with Sweden in the future.

Except for being treated to Swedish folk music, a speech from the Vice-Chancellor of Örebro University and h’or d’euvres, the most fulfilling part of the ceremony was to see the well-deserved sense of pride and accomplishment in the faces of all the graduating students. Some which are heading straight home to their home countries, some that are pursuing a PhD at Örebro university or elsewhere, and some which are looking for work in Sweden.

What they all share however, is leaving the international community of fellow students and professors that they have been a part of the past years in Örebro and Sweden. What I hope that they will do, is stay in touch with Sweden and each other. The world needs cooperation and understanding, and who are better fit for the task than the international community of graduating students and researchers?

My notes for my speech. (Click on it to view an enlarged picture if you're curious.)

Karl Peterson — Study

June 21, 2011

Promoting Swedish higher education in Hong Kong

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Study in Sweden reached Hong Kong! Together with six Swedish universities – Lund University, Linneaus Universty, Malmö University, Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linköping University and Halmstad University, we attended the annual EHEF European higher education fair. The fair took place last weekend at the Central Library in Hong Kong. Many students from the area met up with us and showed a great interest in Sweden. Bachelor and Master degree programs in business or environmental studies were much asked about.

Except from the fair we also arranged an alumni meeting together with the Consulate General of Sweden in Hong Kong, as well a lunch seminar where our Swedish universities met up with universities from Hong Kong. I will tell you more about the alumni meeting and the alumni association in Hong Kong in my next blog post.

Here are som pics from the fair to give you a glimpse of how things work when we are travelling the world to promote Sweden as a study destination.

In action during the fair.

Sweden alumni helpt us out during the fair. Happy after a busy day.

Sweden alumni helpt us out during the fair. Happy after a busy day.

Lisa Larsson — Study

March 21, 2011