UKÄ criticises KI’s admissions to doctoral education

The Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) has aimed criticism at Karolinska Institutet’s admissions procedure for doctoral students. UKÄ is critical of the procedure in that the eligibility of applicants is not examined at an earlier stage, as well as that applicants may be offered a limited period of 4-6 months employment as R&D trainees.

In the opinion of UKÄ, KI’s admission procedure contravenes the procedure for admission established in the Swedish Higher Education Act and Higher Education Ordinance.

“We welcome this clarification and will immediately begin working to prepare a plan to amend this procedure in accordance with UKÄ’s decision,” says Marianne Schultzberg, dean of doctoral education.

“This is a part our drive to professionalise admissions and further improve the quality of our doctoral education. We must now identify suitable processes to ensure that the admissions process is transparent for applicants and guarantees the quality of our doctoral education and research, while at the same time increasing efficiency,” says Marianne Schultzberg.

UKÄ calls for a report on the measures to be taken as a result of this decision no later than 2 May.