KTH Royal Institute of Technology, founded in 1827, is Sweden’s largest technical university, with its main campus in central Stockholm. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was 82nd in the world and the second-highest-ranked university in Sweden. It’s known for engineering, computer science, architecture and technology research with close links to Swedish industry.
KTH teaches most of its bachelor’s degrees in Swedish, but it has one English-taught bachelor’s programme and more than 60 master’s programmes in English. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on KTH’s own guidance and official Swedish government information.
1. Know your options in English
KTH’s only bachelor’s programme taught in English is the three-year BSc in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which covers electronics, software, computer science and communications, with electives in areas such as AI and machine learning. Its other bachelor’s and five-year engineering programmes are taught in Swedish. Most international students come to KTH for one of its two-year master’s programmes, which are taught in English. KTH BSc in Information and Communication Technology.
2. Apply through University Admissions in Sweden
You apply to KTH, and to other Swedish universities, through the national website Universityadmissions.se, where you can rank several programmes in one application. For autumn 2027, the international round opens on 16 October 2026 and closes on 15 January 2027, and you must upload your documents and pay the SEK 900 application fee by 1 February 2027. Results are announced in April. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland should apply in this first round, because the second round doesn’t leave enough time for a residence permit. University Admissions: application fee.
3. Apply only once you have your final school grades
KTH says that students in their final year of upper secondary school won’t be able to submit a complete application in the first round, which is the round non-EU students need for a residence permit. In practice, that means you’ll usually apply for the ICT programme after you’ve finished school, so plan your gap year or other studies around it.
4. Meet the entry requirements
For bachelor’s studies you need to meet the general entry requirements, including English and mathematics, plus the specific requirements for your programme, which for technical programmes usually include advanced mathematics and physics. Check the requirements on the programme page and University Admissions’ country guidance before you apply.
5. Prove your English
For most bachelor’s and master’s programmes taught in English, you need the equivalent of the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. You can meet it through your school studies in many countries, or with a test such as IELTS Academic with an overall score of 6.5 and no section below 5.5 (IELTS General Training isn’t accepted). Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests. University Admissions: English requirements.
6. Understand the fees
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don’t pay tuition fees. For other students, the full tuition fee for the ICT bachelor’s programme is SEK 453,000, paid in advance each semester by bank transfer. For most two-year master’s programmes at KTH the full fee is SEK 385,000, but it varies between programmes. KTH bachelor’s fees.
7. Look for scholarships if you’re applying for a master’s
KTH doesn’t offer scholarships for bachelor’s studies. For master’s studies, the KTH Scholarship covers the full tuition fee (but not living costs) for applicants who put a KTH master’s programme as their first priority and pay the application fee, and it’s highly competitive: in 2026, 65 of 718 admitted scholarship applicants were nominated. The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals also cover tuition and a living allowance for applicants from selected countries. KTH Scholarship.
8. Budget for life in Stockholm
Stockholm is Sweden’s most expensive city, and student housing is in short supply. Start looking for accommodation as soon as you’re offered a place, and budget for rent, food and transport on top of your tuition.
9. Pay your first instalment, then apply for a residence permit
EU/EEA citizens don’t need a permit to study in Sweden, and Swiss citizens apply for a residence permit for Swiss citizens. If you’re from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, your offer from KTH is only final once you’ve paid your first tuition instalment, and the Swedish Migration Agency won’t approve your residence permit for studies until KTH confirms the payment. You must also show that you can support yourself, with at least SEK 10,656 a month if you apply in 2026, and have comprehensive health insurance if your studies last less than a year. Apply as soon as you’ve paid, because processing can take time. Swedish Migration Agency: studies at higher education.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
The rules on working changed in 2026. If your residence permit for bachelor’s or master’s studies was granted on or after 11 June 2026, you can work a maximum of 15 hours a week, and working more can lead to your permit being withdrawn. There are exceptions for work that’s part of your education, such as an internship, and once you’ve completed the equivalent of two semesters you can work more for the rest of your permit. After you graduate, you can apply for a residence permit for up to one year to look for work or start a business, but you must apply before your student permit expires. Swedish Migration Agency: look for work after your studies.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at KTH?
KTH’s master’s programmes use the same application round through University Admissions, and admission is based mainly on your bachelor’s degree, grades and subject background, with some programmes asking for extra documents. If you hold a KTH Scholarship, you must earn at least 45 credits in your first year to keep it for the second. PhD positions at KTH are paid jobs, advertised by each school. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
KTH’s programmes are competitive, so apply to other options too. Read our guides to Lund University, Uppsala University, Stockholm University and Chalmers. Our guide to studying in Sweden explains how the Swedish system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from KTH’s official programme, fee and scholarship pages, University Admissions in Sweden, the Swedish Migration Agency and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on KTH’s study website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with KTH.