By the February deadline, just under 14,000 applications had been submitted to the University of Gothenburg’s master’s programs. Of these, 32 per cent were first-choice applications, representing an increase of 664 first-choice applications and approximately 1,500 more applications in total compared with the previous year.
“First-choice applications are an important indicator, as they reflect where students most want to study. The increase we see is a sign that our programs are perceived as both attractive and relevant,” says John Molander, Project Manager for Internationalisation at the University of Gothenburg.
Strong competition for several master’s programs
Several of the University’s master’s programs continue to attract a high number of applicants. The Master’s Program in Public Health is the most applied-to program at the University of Gothenburg for 2026, with more than 1,100 applicants. It is also the second most applied-to master’s program in Sweden. This is followed by International Administration and Global Governance, IT and Learning, Digital Leadership, and Computer Science, each attracting 500–600 applicants.
Competition is strong for many programs, with significantly more applicants than available places. Several programs have also seen a substantial increase in applications compared with 2025, in some cases by more than 50 per cent.
Applicants from 128 countries
International applicants come from across the globe, with the highest number of applications from Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Germany, India, and the United States.
The number of fee-paying applicants to the University’s master’s programs has increased compared with 2025, as has the number of applicants who have paid the application fee. This is a clear indication of strong and serious interest in studying at the University of Gothenburg.
Growth also at bachelor’s level
The University’s international bachelor’s programs have also seen a clear increase in applications. Compared with last year, International Relations received 27 per cent more applications, while Business and Economics saw an increase of 21 per cent.
“It is very encouraging to see growing interest in both our bachelor’s and master’s programs. This shows that the University of Gothenburg is an attractive choice for students at different stages of their academic journey,” says John Molander.
By: Martina Sjövind
