The total number of eligible applicants this year was just over 414,000 - an increase of 1.3 percent compared with last year, according to a compilation by the Swedish Council for Universities (UHR) reviewed by TT.
But there are not as many places this year. This means that around 10,000 fewer people were accepted in the first selection compared with 2025 - a decrease of 3 percent.
The result is that approximately one in four eligible applicants is still without a place, and competition has intensified for a wide range of programmes.
Overall, more people have applied and more are on reserve. So you can really say that the competition is higher, especially for the attractive programmes, says Robin Johansson, head of unit at UHR.
The fact that so many people have applied for this fall's courses can be explained by large youth cohorts and a tough job market. The fact that some - but not all - higher education institutions have simultaneously cut their admissions may have several reasons.
The economy is a factor - universities have savings requirements, says Robin Johansson.
Everyone who receives a decision today - positive or negative - and still wants to study in the fall must secure their place or reserve place.
Everyone must remember to say yes by July 20. No place is final in the first selection. This applies regardless of whether you are on the reserve list or accepted, says Robin Johansson.
