How to get into KTH Royal Institute of Technology: Steps & Tips

The KTH Royal Institute of Technology is located in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It attracts students from all over the world and is one of the largest and most respected technical universities in Europe - consistently ranking among the top 100 in the world.

Thanks to its great ecosystem for learning and innovation, KTH is a prestigious school whose graduates are highly sought-after on the job market. A degree from KTH is a springboard to a successful career and over 50% of graduates land their first job even before receiving their degree.

Study at KTH: Find Bachelors & Masters

🤔 Is it hard to get into KTH?

Places at KTH are highly sought after but just because it might be difficult it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! You just need to be prepared and make sure you submit a thorough application.

The average acceptance rate for Masters programmes is around 35%, with some years and courses being more competitive than others.

To increase your chances of being accepted, it is a good idea to apply for more than one programme. Applicants can have up to four choices, ranked in order of preference. Different programmes have different entry requirements where - apart from grades – additional information like a letter of motivation, a well-written CV, recommendation letters and in some cases portfolios will add value to the application.

Swedish universities have a national joint application system, so make sure to apply in the first round in mid-January! If you are going to apply for Masters at other Swedish universities too, make sure you put KTH as your first preference.

🏆 What rank is KTH in Europe?

KTH Royal Institute of Technology ranks as #1 in Scandinavia and Sweden according to QS rankings.

Rank in Scandinavia	Rank in Europe	University	Country
1	22	KTH Royal Institute of Technology	Sweden
2	29	Lund University	Sweden
3	37	Uppsala University	Sweden
4	39	University of Copenhagen	Denmark
5	41	Aalto University	Finland

👀 What kinds of students does KTH look for?

Students who are dedicated, curious and motivated are KTH material. Studying at this university involves a lot of teamwork and group projects, therefore having good collaborative skills is also key to being a successful candidate.

To apply for a Master’s programme you must have a Bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognised university (in a relevant topic, of course). Students may apply for a Master’s programme while in their final year of their undergraduate studies and, if successful, may receive a conditional offer. 

Find your Bachelors & Masters fully taught in English

📚 KTH’s entry requirements:

Entry requirements vary from course to course and may change from the previous year, so it is essential to always check the latest requirements for each degree you are interested in.

The general requirements for KTH are:

1. Certificates from your completed degree(s),
2. Transcripts of completed courses and grades included in your degree,
3. Proof of English language proficiency:
   • IELTS: With an overall score of 6.5, no section lower than 5.5,
   • TOEFL iBT: With a score of at least 20 (scale 0-30) in the written test and a total score of at least 90.
   • Other language qualifications accepted include Cambridge MLA, Cambridge ESOL, and Pearson.
4. Passport or other approved ID card,
5. Additional documents will vary for different courses. For example, for programmes such as Production Engineering and Management, students might need to present certificates showing relevant work experience, a CV, letters of recommendation, a summary sheet, etc.

📝 Steps to Apply to KTH:

1. Choose a programme of study. Remember you can apply for up to four different programmes.
2. Check that you meet the degree entry requirements.
3. Deadlines:
1. Submit your application by January 15th.
2. Submit all remaining required documents by February 1st.
4. Submit your application through the University Admissions website, the Swedish national application system. 
5. Pay the application fee by February 1st. For non-EU/EEA citizens, there is an application fee of SEK 900; while EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not have to pay.
6. Results are usually published by March 21st but some degrees that accept late applications will publish the final lists later.
7. Apply for scholarships: You will usually need to have an offer (or a conditional offer) before you can start applying for funding.

📈 How to increase your chances of getting into KTH:

Securing a spot at KTH is a goal for many aspiring students worldwide. In order to stand out, make sure to take into account these tips:

• Research the requirements - Check the website for each course’s requirements. Then reach out to alumni, read blogs, connect with other students, get all the information you can about the requirements for entry. Make sure you have everything ready when it’s time to apply.
• Focus on your grades and extra-curricular activities - Good grades are essential but make sure you stand out with extra-curricular activities and interest. Any volunteering experiences, club memberships, hobbies and side projects – all these things count towards your application.

Study.eu Advice: Focus on having a high level of English. If it doesn’t get you into KTH, it’s still going to be good for your future.

💸 Tuition fees at KTH:

For EU/EEA students, studying at KTH is free (but note that some joint programmes may charge fees from EU/EEA/Swiss citizens). For non-EU/EEA, fees are SEK 342,000 per programme - ca. 30,208 EUR - but it varies between the programmes.

As mentioned before, remember there is an application fee of ca. SEK 900 for non-EU students submitting their application through University Admissions.

There are a number of scholarship programmes available for studying at KTH. Some are available directly from KTH and some are external funding sources. 

The cost of living in Stockholm might be a little more expensive than in other European cities but the quality of life is excellent. Monthly cost can range between SEK 9,450-12,350. Here is a rough breakdown for you to consider (prices are estimates and for illustrative purposes only):

• Accommodation: SEK 4,600-7,500 
• Food: SEK 2,700
• Public transport: SEK 650
• Phone and internet: SEK 300
• Clothing, hobbies and leisure: SEK 1,500

🎓 Most notable KTH alumni:

• Almida de Val – Olympian
• Dolph Lundgren – Hollywood action movie icon
• Greta Woxén (née Westberg) – Sweden’s first female civil engineer, graduated 1928.
• Immanuel Nobel – inventor, industrialist, engineer, architect.
• Maja Reichard – Paralympian
• Niklas Zennström – co-founder of Skype
• Salomon August Andrée – Arctic explorer
• Tinga Seisay – Diplomat

🏛️ Popular subjects at KTH:

There are a wide range of technical degrees available at KTH, from Natural Sciences and Mathematics, to Computer Sciences:

• Architecture
• Computer Science
• Data Science & Big Data
• General Engineering & Technology
• Industrial Management
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Sustainable Development
• Technology Management

 

848 Programmes in Sweden