For students attending the Master's Programme in Biomedicine Application

Application Part 1: to KI - How do I get started?

Start by thinking about what you would like your study abroad period to be like. Read up on the options and search for more information on Studies and traineeships abroad, in exchange reports, on the partners universities’ web sites, etc. In the online application form, you will be able to rank up to six options.

How do I apply?

The application form for exchange studies in semester 4 is available online in our online exchange studies dabase Mobility-Online.

Follow the instructions carefully. An incomplete application results in not being considered for exchange studies by the international committee. Late applications will not be considered in the first round of applications.

The electronic application is constituted by two parts. The first part is the online registration where you state your contact details, information about your present studies, which semester you are studying and which programme you are registered in at Karolinska Institutet. You can state up to 6 preferences in the order that you choose to prioritize. You will only be able to choose universities with which your programme has a bilateral agreement.

After you have submitted your application online you will receive an automatic generated email with a link that you will have to follow in order to complete your application with all the extra documents necessary to finalize the application process. This last step can be done online directly in Mobility-Online.

For students interested in going abroad in semester 3 to do the 15 ECTS research project or in semester 4 outside our bilateral agreements there is no need to apply by our January deadline since you will be going abroad as freemover. However, you will need to finalize all paperwork at latest 4-6 weeks before your departure (this includes even receiving your visa when applicable).

Preparations

Before the application opens you can prepare yourself by collecting the necessary documents (see below: What to include in the application). You can also read exchange reports from previous exchange students and benefit from their experience.

Deadline for applications 2025/2026

Deadline for exchange studies in the academic year 2025-2026: January 31, 2025 at 11:00 am. (Application is now closed)

Link to Online Application 

Second round of application

If any exchange study places are available after the January deadline they will be accounced here later on in the Spring and students will be able to apply by the deadline of May 30, 2025. 

What to include in the application:

1. The Application Form

   Follow the directions in the application form carefully. After you have submitted your application online you will receive an automatic generated email with a link that you will have to follow in order to complete your application with all the extra documents necessary to finalize the application process. This last step can be done online directly in Mobility-Online.

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English

   Your CV should be well-written in reverse chronological order and easy to understand. If you do not already have a CV, a web site that can help you to get started is Europass.

   State your language skills according to the EU CEFR scale. You do not need to send any supporting documentation, but should be prepared to produce it on request.
    

3. Transcript of Records 

   A Transcript of Records in English from the Ladok register should be included in your application as proof of your study merits. It can be obtained by yourself directly from "Ladok on Web". No stamp or signature is required on this document.  

   If you are lacking 7,5 hp or more for your application, you should attach an appendix explaining why.
    

4. Motivation Letter in English

   A personal statement of motivation should be written in English and be a maximum of one A4 page in length, using the Times New Roman, 12 point font.

   Your motivation letter is an important part of your application and should therefore be well-written. Present yourself briefly in the introduction and bear in mind that the letter should deal with why you wish to take part in an exchange. Experience and special interests referred to in the letter should be relevant to your application.
    

5. Documented research experience 

   In case you claim research experience in your application for exchange studies in semester 4 (such as a summer internship at a lab, etc.) outside of your regular Bachelor's and Master's programme, include a certificate, diploma, or letter from the supervisor. The certificate must be signed and stamped. Research experience which is not supported by a signed document will not be considered in the application and no extra points will be awarded if the research experience is not formally documented.

Personal reference

A letter of reference is no longer a requirement from BIONK.
 

Selection and Nomination

Eligibility for exchange studies

In order to be eligible for exchange in semester 3, you must have passed all your courses from semester 1, as well as the courses in Laboratory animal science in theory and practice (4.5 credits), Applied communication in biomedicine 2 (5 credits) and Bioinformatics (5.5 credits) in semester 2, at the latest on April 15. 

In order to be eligible for exchange in semester 4, you must have passed all the courses from semester 1 and 2, and be registered at all courses at semester 3, on September 15.

Selection criteria

BIONK has decided on a number of selection criteria for exchange studies within the Master’s Programme in Biomedicine. You must comply with a number of basic requirements. If you fulfil the basic requirements your application will then be considered for nomination according to the following criteria:

• Study results (0-5 points): Based on passed courses within your current programme, when they were passed and grades received.
• Previous research experience in relevant fields (0-5 points): (excluding those included in study programmes, e.g. graudate theses, junior projects etc). If you claim research credentials, you must attach a letter of reference from your research supervisor with the application.
• Promotion work for KI (0-2 points): Extra-curricular work in order to promote education at KI, e.g. as digital ambassador, student ambassador, work as MF student representative on the programme committee or other bodies within KI. Note that assessment of these commitments is specific to the biomedical programmes and BUS has a template for the certificates. Only certified activities will be considered.
• Overall assessment of the application (0-5 points): The overall assessment includes A) Letter of Motivation, including why you would be a good candidate to be nominated for exchange studies, max one A4 page, B) Other commitments, e.g. extra work or involvement in other associations and C) Special interest in particular courses and/or institutions. demonstration of your competence to continue your studies at KI at the time of your departure.
• Language skills: your mastery of the language of instruction at the foreign university or how you plan to acquire the necessary language skills.
• Good ambassador: you have to be a good ambassador for Karolinska Institutet. As an exchange student from KI, you will be representing KI at the host university. You will be a small part of the image that the host university has of KI, and furthermore a guarantee of continued student exchange.
• Erasmus rules: as an Erasmus student you must also comply with the requirements posed by the EU Commission in Brussels – you must have studied at a college/university for at least one year and remain away for at least 2 and not more than 12 months.

Half points can be used.

Master’s students, maximum 17 points.

Selection

Once the application deadline has expired, the nomination committee of BIONK, will make its choice in accordance with the above criteria and place the applicants in order of preference. The university exchange places will then be allocated in order of priority. Unfortunately it may happen that all exchange places at a particular university are taken, in which case applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

Nomination

As soon as a decision has been taken by BIONK you will be informed as to whether you have been nominated for exchange studies and will then receive further information and directions from the international student coordinator. However, it is you yourself who will apply to the university abroad after a formal nomination has been sent by KI to the partner university.

It is important to understand that you have NOT been accepted for exchange studies at the university abroad until you have received definitive confirmation from the partner university. Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received a Letter of Acceptance from our partner university.

Application part 2: to the partner university

When you have received the nomination for exchange studies from BIONK you need to start planning your studies and application to the partner university abroad. 
 

Apply to the partner university

The International Coordinator contacts the partner university and nominates you for exchange which means that you will have to fill out a formal application to the partner university. Most universities have their application forms and procedures on their websites. The application procedures differ between universities and it is important that you find out the application process for the university you are applying for, which documents you need and when the deadline is. It is your own responsibility to complete the application on time but the International Coordinator will be happy to help you and answer questions.
 

Planning your studies - coursework or project

When you apply for exchange studies you need to specify which courses you are going to take or which project you are going to do. This can take time so start early! Most universities abroad have project databases or will assist or give advise in looking for a suitable project. The Exchange reports from previous exchange students are a good source of information. When you have found a supervisor abroad, contact Jonas Sundbäck and confirm that the project is OK. You will also need a supervisor at KI. A Learning Agreement will be signed before you go abroad.
 

Note that you are not accepted for exchange studies until you have received an official letter of acceptance from the partner university.