Apply for Master's programme
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Master's programme at the University of Gothenburg. There are a lot of important steps on the list so read the information carefully. All applications to the University of Gothenburg go through the Swedish National Admissions Portal, universityadmissions.se.
1. Find your programme
The first step to applying is finding the right programme for you. Do proper research beforehand by reading all available information about the programme. It is important that you find a programme that matches your interest and what you want to do after your studies. You can apply to up to four programmes in the first admissions round and up to twelve programmes/courses in the second admissions round.
2. Check the entry requirements
Each one of our programmes has general and programme-specific entry requirements. Make sure that you fulfil all the requirements in order to be eligible for admission.
Please note! The Admissions Office does not make assessments beforehand of your academic merits. Your merits will be assessed when you have made an application. If you have questions regarding the programme-specific requirements, please contact a study counsellor. The study counsellor is presented on the programme page.
To meet the general entry requirements for Master's level studies, you must have been awarded a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognised university.
For most of our Master's programmes, the English requirement is proficiency equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. You can demonstrate that you meet the language requirement through:
- certain upper secondary (high school) studies,
- certain university studies,
- or an internationally recognised English test.
The programme-specific entry requirements are always listed on the programme page, under Requirements. It is usually specified that you need to have a certain number of credits within a subject or field.
Our programmes within the fine, applied and performing arts always require extra documentation, such as work samples, drawings or videos. The programmes in music usually hold auditions as part of the admission process.
3. Submit an application
You apply through universityadmissions.se, the Swedish National Admissions Portal.
- Create an account and rank your selection of programmes.
- Make sure to submit the right application documents.
- You must also pay the application fee or, alternately, document your citizenship status in an EU/EEA country.
If you are a citizen outside of the EU, EEA or Switzerland you need to pay an application fee of SEK 900 in order for your application to be processed. This is a non-refundable administrative fee.
All international students are encouraged to apply in the first admission round. This round takes place many months before the start of the semester and gives students the time they need to pay their tuition fees, apply for and receive a residence permit (if required), find housing, etc.
- Application period: 16 October – 15 January
- The deadline for submitting all documentation is 1 February
The admissions results for the second admissions round are published in July, which means that students who require a residence permit for studies in Sweden (non-EU/EEA citizens) will not have enough time to have their residence permit application processed and approved, before the start of the semester. We do not recommend that you apply in the Second round unless you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
You can find more information about the second admissions round at the link below.
Apply for a programme or course in the second application round
4. Follow your application process
Once you have applied via universityadmissions.se, you will receive an e-mail to confirm that your application has been received. Check that all information is correct, and go to My pages regularly to check for any changes or updates.
5. Notification of selection results
After the last application day, your application will undergo a selection procedure. The selection is based only on the selection criteria stated on the programme page. Selection procedures can vary depending on the course or programme. Examples of what may be considered are:
- The number of previous university credits
- Previous grades
- Other requested documentation such as essays, motivation letters, et cetera.
For information about what the criteria are for the programme that you have applied for, see the course description page on the programme website. You can find a link from your application on My pages on universityadmissions.se.
Your chances of being admitted depend on how well you compete with the other applicants and on the number of places available in the programme.
For information on available places, please contact a study counsellor. The study counsellor is presented on the programme page.
If you have applied in January, you will receive a response in the beginning of April for the autumn semester. If you have applied in April or October, you will receive a response in mid-July for the autumn semester or in mid-December for the spring semester. The notification will be sent via e-mail and published on My pages at universityadmissions.se.
If you were placed on a waiting list (reserve list), or if you submitted a late application, you may be awarded a place if someone who has been accepted declines their study place. Your department will contact you if you are on the waiting list and can be offered a place. Make sure that your contact details on universityadmissions.se are correct.
Students who are required to pay tuition fees will be listed as 'Conditionally admitted' on their Notification of selection results. Your status will still be listed as 'Conditionally admitted' even after you've paid the tuition fee.
Please note: There are other reasons why an applicant may have been conditionally admitted, for example if you are in your final year of Bachelor’s studies and did not yet receive your final transcript and/or diploma.
If you have applied in the first admission round: please follow the instructions provided with the Notification of selection results or through a notification. Keep yourself updated by regularly checking your account, e-mail and the information at universityadmissions.se.
If you applied to the first round for the autumn or spring semester, you don't need to reply yes or no to your offer. However, if you decide not to attend the course/programme you've been offered a place in, please be sure to decline it on your pages on universityadmissions.se
If you have applied in the second admission round: You must confirm the admission offer that you receive with the Notification of selection results in order for it to be valid. Admission offers are only valid for the semester you applied for.
If you do not reply to the admission offer, you will automatically be deleted from the courses you applied for. The response deadline will be specified in the Notification of selection results.
No. On My pages on universityadmissions.se, you can download a PDF-file or print a hard copy of the notification of selection results as proof of your admission.
It is not always possible to defer your entry. Please check the instructions on how to apply for deferrals at the University of Gothenburg.
6. Tuition payment
If you need to pay tuition in Sweden, you need to pay the first instalment, before you can start applying for a residence permit. Information will be sent out to the e-mail adress you register at universityadmissions.se.
7. Register for studies
When the semester start you must register for studies in accordance with the instructions you receive from your department. If you do not register, you will lose your place.
Before the semester starts, you will receive information from your department regarding the start of the semester. All questions regarding schedule, introduction, literature etc. can be answered by your department.
I have questions – who to contact?
For questions regarding documentation of your prior studies, please contact universityadmissions.se.
If you have questions regarding the specific requirements or selection methods for a programme/course, please contact the department of studies.
For other questions regarding your application, contact the Admissions Office.
