College Admissions: Opportunities Remain Despite Increased Competition

Barely 317,000 people have now received the message that they have been admitted to a college education in the fall. Just over 90,000 received a negative message. But that does not mean that the race is run for everyone in that group.

» Published: July 10 2025 at 09:27

College Admissions: Opportunities Remain Despite Increased Competition
Photo: Magnus Lejhall/TT

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Interest in studying at college is high this year. The number of eligible applicants is over 409,000, which is 7,000 more than last year.

At the same time, the number of admitted students in the first selection has decreased by the same amount, from 324,000 last year to 317,000 this year, according to figures from the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR). The competition thus appears to have intensified, at least for the most sought-after programs.

More applicants

We see that there are more applicants than last year for the most popular programs. It also appears that there are more applicants who are only reserve-placed and thus have not been accepted anywhere, says Robin Johansson, unit manager at UHR.

But the selection for study places takes place in two stages, and experience suggests that some will decline their place in the second selection.

One can definitely say that a lot is happening, says Robin Johansson.

Respond on time

But to stay on, you must actively accept no later than July 18. This applies to both admitted and reserve-placed students.

You must not miss accepting if you want to keep a place. It's a very fast deadline and you should be out in good time.

Robin Johansson mentions that many are on the alert. A quarter of an hour after the notifications were released on Friday morning, 8,200 people had accepted.

Those who have not received a place do not need to give up before the upcoming autumn semester. There are several thousand programs that accept late applications.

And if you are a reserve for a program, it's just a matter of accepting and keeping your fingers crossed. If many drop out, you can get in even if you have a relatively high reserve number, says Robin Johansson.

On July 24, applicants with a reserve place will receive notification of whether they have been accepted in the second selection.

Anna Lena Wallström/TT

Facts: Programs with the highest merit value

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The ten programs that required the highest merit value (best high school grades, selection group BI). The figures indicate the merit value for the last admitted student in the first selection. You can get a maximum of 22.5 points.

KTH, Master of Science in Engineering, Technical Physics: 22.4

KTH, Master of Science in Engineering, Technical Mathematics: 22.4

Lund University, medical program: 22.29

Karolinska Institute, medical program: 22.27

Karolinska Institute, Bachelor's program in biomedicine: 22.2

Lund University, Master of Science in Engineering, Technical Physics: 22.19

Uppsala University, medical program: 22.19

Stockholm School of Economics, Bachelor of Science Program in Business and Economics: 22.08

Lund University, Master of Science in Engineering, Industrial Economics: 22.08

Lund University, psychology program: 22.08

(KTH stands for Royal Institute of Technology)

Source: UHR

Among the universities, Uppsala University received the most eligible applicants (nearly 82,000), followed by Umeå University (nearly 78,000).

Most sought-after programs, counted in eligible applicants. Last year's figure in parentheses.

Law program, Uppsala University: 6,754 (5,949)

Law program, Stockholm University: 6,660 (6,414)

Law program, Lund University: 6,133 (5,720)

Law program, University of Gothenburg: 5,939 (5,880)

Economics Bachelor's program, Lund University: 5,158 (4,759)

Economics Bachelor's program, Uppsala University: 5,089 (4,489)

Medical program, Karolinska Institute: 4,704 (4,507)

Medical program, Uppsala University: 4,534 (4,311)

Law program, Örebro University: 4,430 (3,876)

Economics Bachelor's program, University of Gothenburg: 4,319 (3,940)

Source: UHR

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