Increase in first-choice applicants to KI’s Undergraduate Programmes
The application period for this autumn’s national programmes and courses expired on 15 April. The number of applications to KI’s study programmes increased by 10 per cent compared to last year, with the Speech and Language Pathology Programme seeing the sharpest rise.
While the number of applicants for this autumn’s programmes increased by 10 per cent at KI, the number of first-choice applicants – i.e. those who prioritised a specific programme – also rose by five per cent. The trend was especially positive for one particular programme.
“It’s really good to see that so many people are applying to the speech and language pathology programme!” says Sofia Strömbergsson, director of the programme, which has seen a 38 per cent increase in applications compared to 2024. “Even back at the time of the previous application period we could see an increase that appeared to reverse the downward trend we’ve had in recent years. So this year we were especially eager to see the numbers.”
The nursing programme, both campus-based and remote, also had more applicants this year: 23 and 43 per cent respectively.
According to the Swedish Council for Higher Education, a possible reason for the burgeoning interest in higher education is the prevailing labour market situation and large cohorts of students of university age.
More applications to the master’s programme in biomedical laboratory science
Many of KI’s master’s programmes have also seen more first-choice applicants, including Biomedical Laboratory Science – Advanced Clinical Physiology, which is 56 per cent up on last year.
“It’s fantastic and inspiring to run a programme at an advanced level with such a high number of applications,” exclaims Mikaela Engström, assistant director of the master’s programme in biomedical laboratory science, together with Annica Lindkvist. “It shows that biomedical scientists both want and need to get further training.”
Record interest in summer courses
Interest in summer courses is also on the rise, and applications for this summer have reached unprecedented levels. For KI, applicant numbers were 82 per cent up on 2024, according to a press release from the Swedish Council for Higher Education. Distance courses are especially popular.