Courses for incoming exchange students in Medicine 2025-2026
To be accepted as an exchange student at Karolinska Institutet (KI), you must be enrolled at a higher education institution that has a written exchange agreement with KI for the specific study programme of interest. Exchange students should be selected and nominated by their home institution, however, the final decision on admission is made by Karolinska Institutet.
Information on study options (curricular and elective courses, clinical rotations and research-oriented projects will be published in late March.
The medical and healthcare services in Stockholm and at the teaching hospitals are undergoing exciting structural and organizational changes, which significantly affect the clinical education of medical students at Karolinska Institutet.
Furthermore, the introduction of our new 6-year medical programme, with its updated curriculum, has led to further changes. As a result, the previous integrated course in Clinical Medicine, with an emphasis on Reproduction and Development (22.5 ECTS credits), covering pediatrics and gynecology/obstetrics, will now be offered as two separate courses in English during the spring semester of 2026: Clinical Medicine 6: Gynecology and Obstetrics, 9 ECTS credits (13 February – 23 March) and Clinical Medicine 5: Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 15 ECTS credits (24 March – 31 May).
Consequently, the number of study places for incoming exchange students at KI is currently limited for the 2025-2026 academic year.
More information about the programme
Medical students are expected to take significant responsibility for their own learning. Teaching methods include group work, seminars, lectures and individual projects, and there is a clear integration of practical and theoretical skills, often based on descriptions of patient case descriptions.
The courses are offered on two levels: semester 1-6 form the basic level and semester 7-11 (12 in the six-year programme) form the advanced level. Both levels include in-depth studies to ensure progression within and between levels. The final seven (eight) terms take place in teaching hospitals and primary care., where students participate in day-to-day patient care under the supervision of specialists.
The new six-year medical programme prepares students for diverse roles in healthcare and beyond, emphasizing clinical, scientific, and professional competencies. Team-based learning (TBL) is the primary teaching method, promoting active participation and problem-solving. The programme also includes Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) to ensure students gradually increase their independence and readiness for medical licensure. Additionally, a mentorship programme supports students' professional development and self-reflection.
After graduation
After five and a half years of study, students in the current 5.5-year medical programme receive their medical degree, followed by an internship (allmäntjänstgöring, AT) for 18-24 months, depending on the location. After this, the Swedish licence to practice medicine is granted by the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). To receive a specialist qualification, another five years of specialist training (ST) or residency is required. There are currently 63 medical specialties in Sweden.
The six-year medical programme, which started in autumn 2021, is as licensure-based medical education. Students receive their Swedish licence to practice medicine upon graduation. Instead of the internship (AT), there will be a basic training (bastjänstgöring, BT) that can be completed either as a standalone 12-month service or as an integrated part of specialist training (ST).
Medical doctors can work in various sectors, including in-patient and out-patient hospital care, occupational healthcare and primary care, private surgeries, research laboratories and industry. They may work abroad or for aid organisations. Career paths are often determined by chosen medical specialties, such as general practice, surgery, infection diseases or psychiatry. Besides patient care, doctors also often engage in teaching, quality development, management and administration. Many also work in research to improve and develop future healthcare provision.