Selection process master's

Students who apply for a course or programme - and meet the general and specific entry requirements - compete with one another for available places.

When there are more applicants than places available in a course or programme, a selection must take place. To do this, two things must happen:

  • applicants must be given a rating so that they can compete for places with other applicants
  • selection groups for applicants must be created to compare those with similar merits

The universities decide what selection groups will be used for each course/programme, as well as how merit ratings will be decided.

Merit rating

All applicants are given a merit rating. For master's admission, examples of what may be considered are:

  • number of previous university credits
  • previous grades
  • other requested documentation, such as essays, motivation letters, etc.

The better the merit rating, the better chance you have of being awarded a place. 

For more specific information about merit ratings for the courses/programmes you've applied for, see the course/programme description page on the university's website. You can find a link from your account here at Universityadmissions.se - go to 'Application'.

University Admissions can't answer questions about how merit ratings are calculated for specific university programmes. Contact the university directly for help with your questions.

Selection groups

Depending on the type of documentation you've submitted and how each university selects its applicants, your application will be placed in a suitable selection group. Applicants with the same type of qualifications will compete for a place with the other applicants in this group.

You can find out more about the selection groups for the courses/programmes you've applied for at the course/programme information page at the university's website. You can find a link from your account here at Universityadmissions.se - go to 'Application'.

Separate selection groups for fee-paying students

Some universities have exercised the option of creating selection groups specifically for fee-paying students. If you have questions about these selection groups, please check the homepage of the university you’ve applied to for further information.

Where can I find my merit rating and selection groups?

You can find out what your merit rating is - and what selection groups you're competing in - in the 'Application' section of your account. This information will be provided after your complete, on-time application has been reviewed.

What merit rating do I need to be accepted?

There are often more eligible applicants than places available. As the number of applicants for each course and programme - and the merit rating of these applicants - changes from semester to semester, it's impossible to say what merit rating is required for a place in specific courses and programmes in a specific semester.

Last updated: 19 October 2022