The number of programme applicants has increased by 13 per cent for the autumn semester of 2025. There is also a 12 per cent increase in first choice applicants.
The increase is largely explained by three of the new study programmes: the Biomedical Scientist Programme, the Master Programme in Political Science – Psychological Defense and Disinformation, and Artificial Intelligence – Bachelor Programme in Computer Science.
– The application numbers show that people understand the importance of AI and machine learning and want to be part of shaping our future, says Matthias Beckerle, programme coordinator for the AI programme.
– It's great to see that our AI program meets the demand for AI education in Sweden, the EU, and internationally. AI and machine learning are transformative technologies that will be a fundamental part of our society. I’m pleased that we can help broaden the knowledge about this technology, support research and industry, and strengthen the ethical and democratic development of AI in Sweden.
The bachelor’s programme in artificial intelligence received a total of 1,823 applications, of which 577 are first choice applicants. The programme is offered in English and in a hybrid format, where the majority of the teaching takes place online with on-campus examination sessions once per semester.
The Biomedical Scientist Programme, which will restart in the autumn semester of 2025, received 235 applications, of which 55 are first choice applicants. The new master’s programme in political science with a focus on psychological defense and disinformation received 304 applications, of which 119 are first choice applicants.
– It’s encouraging to see that our programmes are attractive, and especially that the market responds well to the new programmes created in connection with the latest review of our degree programmes. This indicates that our courses and study programmes are relevant and that we are successful in reaching out with our offerings, says Vice-Chancellor Jerker Moodysson and continues:
– We see quite a large variation in the number of applicants between different programmes, and we continue to analyse this moving forward. In some cases, where high application numbers coincide with explicit needs from society, we would like to expand. Adjustments can be made within the university, but larger expansions require an extended mandate from the government.
Karlstad University received a total of 31,622 programme applications before the application closed at midnight on 15 April. This is a 13 per cent increase. The number of first choice applicants increased by 12 per cent.
This should be compared with the application numbers at the same time last year when the total number of applicants increased by eight per cent and first choice applicants by nine per cent.
You can find more information about the application numbers from a national perspective here. Please note that the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) also includes students who apply for courses included in ongoing programmes and applications for freestanding courses in their statistics. Therefore, the numbers and percentages look a bit different (information in Swedish):
The ten most popular study programmes at Karlstad University for the autumn semester of 2025:
(Total number of applicants within parenthesis)
Artificial Intelligence – Bachelor Programme in Computer Science 577 (1,823)
Law Programme 447 (3,987)
Business and Economics Programme 286 (1,697)
Nursing Programme 266 (1,107)
Secondary Education: all specialisations 236 (1,469)
Study Programme in IT, Project Management and ERP Systems 221 (1,214)
Programme in Dental Hygiene: all specialisations 219 (1,155)
Bachelor of Science in Social Work 208 (1,298)
Primary Education: all specialisations 199 (777)
Psychology Programme 190 (1,742)
