FAQ – Global Bachelor’s Programmes

Before applying

Can I continue with medical studies if I complete the bachelor’s programme in biomedicine?

No, the three-year bachelor’s programme in biomedicine at Karolinska Institutet does not lead to a medical degree. After the completion of the bachelor’s programme in biomedicine you can, for example, apply for any of our Global Master’s programmes.

What are the requirements for the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedicine?

Information on the admissions requirements for the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedicine can be found in the information on Admissions to Global Bachelor's programme.

Am I eligible to the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedicine?

In order to be considered for the selection to the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedicine, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements through the Swedish upper secondary school courses Biology 2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 4, English 6/English B, or the equivalent courses.

Your upper secondary school courses will be assessed by University Admissions once you have submitted a complete application. In the assessment of foreign upper secondary school courses and grades, University Admissions uses among others the following country handbooks developed by the Swedish Council for Higher Education.

Karolinska Institutet is not involved in the eligibility assessments and we cannot guide you regarding the assessments.

Which documents should I enclose?

For information about documentation requirements for bachelor’s applicants please read more on universityadmissions.se.

If you already have university level credentials you should also submit them to University Admissions. When sending your university level credentials to University Admissions, please make sure you follow the requirements for university records. Your university records may have to be translated. University records from most countries can be uploaded, but some have to be sent directly to UniversityAdmissions. Remember to check the country specific requirements.

Am I exempted from the English language tests?

You can be exempted from the English tests either through upper secondary school or university studies. Please read the requirements carefully and if you have doubts on whether you are exempted, please contact University Admissions directly. If you do not meet the exemptions please sign up for any of the recognised English tests as soon as possible.

My language proficiency test was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, can I get an exemption from the test?

Unfortunately not. Your application will be considered late if your test results arrive after the deadline for the supporting documents. We will only consider late applications in case we need to fill the seats for the programme. 

How do I submit the documents

Please check country specific requirements for information on how to submit your documentation. Most documents can be uploaded and you will find detailed instructions on how to upload when you are logged in at your account at universityadmissions.se. You must among others make sure that you scan the original documentation and scan in colour. Scanned copies and certified copies will not be accepted by University Admissions in Sweden.

Please note that some upper secondary school credentials have to be submitted directly from your school to University Admissions in Sweden, please check the country specific instructions. In the country specific instructions you will also find information on whether your documents have to be translated. If you are an IB student in your final year you must request an early result from the IB coordinator at your school.

Can I send my qualifications by email?

No, qualifications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

Can I apply if I'm in my final year of high school?

If you are an EU/EEA citizen in your final year of upper secondary school you can apply in the second admissions round with application deadline 17 April 2023. Admissions to the programme is based on final upper secondary school credentials, and in the second application round you have until the deadline for the receipt of the supporting documentation in June or July to submit your final upper secondary school documentation, for details see the key dates. If you are an IB student in your final year you must request an early result from the IB coordinator at your school.

If you are a citizen from outside the EU/EEA you will not be able to apply in the second admissions round since you will not have enough time to receive a residence permit. If you are a citizen from outside the EU/EEA can apply in the first admissions round with application deadline 16 January 2023, please however note that your final upper secondary school credentials must have been received by University Admissions in Sweden by 1 February 2023. If you will not receive your final upper secondary school credentials before this, you will unfortunately need to wait until the autumn 2024 intake. 

Are there any scholarships?

There are no Karolinska Institutet-specific scholarships available for applicants to the bachelor's programme in Biomedicine.

I applied last year, do I have to submit a new application?

If you applied last year, please read the instructions for reapplicants at universityadmissions.se

After applying

How can I find out about the status of my application?

You can follow the status of your application by logging in at universityadmissions.se

Due to the large volumes of applications it usually takes several weeks before your application has been processed. Please note that there is no guarantee that you will be notified about the missing documentation before the deadline for the supporting documentation.

Do I have to confirm my admission?

In the first application round all admitted and waitlisted applicants will receive information on how to accept or decline their admissions offer. Please note that you will lose your study place if you fail to accept your admissions offer.

In the second application round (April application round), you need to reply to your admissions offer at your account at universityadmissions.se. Please note that you will lose your study place if you fail to accept your admissions offer. Please read more under 'Key dates' at universityadmissions.se.

How can I decline my admissions offer?

You can read more on how to decline your admissions offer at universityadmissions.se.

Will you send me a formal admissions letter?

You can download an official notification of selection results from your account at universityadmissions.se. Please note that you will not be able to get a proof of enrollment before you have registered for the programme.

My application was rejected, can I appeal?

If you have been denied admission because your application was assessed as lacking necessary entry requirements, and you believe that the assessment is incorrect, you may appeal the selection result. Appeals on any other grounds are not possible. You can submit the appeal after you have received the notification of selection results. You can read more on how to appeal at universityadmissions.se.

What are my chances of admission from the waiting list?

Unfortunately it is difficult to estimate if an applicant will become admitted from the reserve list since it depends on how many admitted students decline their offers. Karolinska Institutet admits more students than the number of seats for the programme, and when an admitted student decline their admissions offer, this does not automatically lead to an offer for a waitlisted applicant. Usually there are only a few applicants on the reserve list that receive an offer.

Can I apply for a deferral due to the circumstances related to the Corona pandemic?

A deferral can only be granted if you are currently admitted, have accepted your admission and paid the first installment of the tuition fee (if applicable). You must also demonstrate a valid reason for your deferral request. Valid reasons for granting a deferral may be social circumstances, medical circumstances or other special circumstances such as caring for children, being called up for military service or civilian service, student union commissions, military training according to the ordinance (2015:613), or deferred statutory leave in accordance with the Swedish Education Leave Act (1974:981) [HF chapter 7, § 33 (1993:100) and UHRFS (2016:1)].

You must submit documentation to support your request. The documentation must show that your reason is still valid by the start of the programme.

Unfortunately reasons such as financial shortage concerning payment of tuition fee or living expenses, difficulties to find an apartment, preferring to pursue another study or work opportunity, etc. will not be sufficient for granting a deferral.

You apply for a deferral by filling out the web form.

Where can I find the schedule for the programme?

For more information on the schedule and outline of the programme, please see the website for the bachelor’s programme in biomedicine.

When and how do I register?

For information about course start and registration please visit the programme website for the bachelor’s programme in biomedicine.

Are there tuition fees?

Higher education is free for applicants within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. However application and tuition fees apply for applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Please read more on following links:

Tuition fees
Find out if you need to pay fees

Where can I find practical information about studying at Karolinska Institutet?

Please see the current student section and the planning your arrival page, and don't forget the student blogs.

Where can I find information about residence permit for studies?

Please contact the Swedish Migration Board.

Still haven't found the answer?

You can contact the Karolinska Institutet Admissions Office.