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Studies at KTH

KTH is a university with a rich history of pioneering ideas and innovation that dates back to 1827. For nearly 200 years, KTH has educated students who have gone on to influence our present and make the technological advances that define modern society. Still today, KTH shapes the talents that will find the solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

KTH's virtual campus tour

Vijay from India gives you an introduction into studies at KTH. In the virtual tour he and some other students will guide you around the campuses and show you their favourite spots.

Engaged learning

At KTH, learning to work together is an integral part of education. Through course work and in individual studies, students explore their ideas and apply them in collaboration with others from around the world. Group dynamics and the ability to work across teams can play a significant role in the outcome of ideas, projects and innovation. KTH emphasises an interdisciplinary approach to education, and students are encouraged to pursue work that incorporates subjects and ideas from other fields of study.

The openness to new ideas is a central part of life at KTH. Students call professors by their first names, researchers welcome new thoughts from students, and the curriculum focuses on personal development as well as knowledge.

A semester at KTH

A semester at KTH consists of several courses, usually three or four. Each course involves lectures, seminars, laboratory work, group projects and individual studies. As hands-on experience is regarded as an essential element of learning, laboratory sessions constitute an integral part of studies at KTH. Your overall course grade is determined by written or oral examinations twice a semester. Exercises and laboratory work may also form part of the examination. If you fail, there will be a second chance at the end of each semester.

Academic calendar

The academic year at KTH is divided into two semester. The autumn semester starts in late August/early September and runs until the middle of January. Spring semester begins in the middle of January and runs until the beginning of June. Each semester consists of two study periods, each comprising three or four parallel courses during seven weeks of scheduled lectures, laboratory work, group work and smaller tutorial sessions. These are followed by one week of own work, free from scheduled education before the exams take place in October, January, March and June. Re-examination takes place in January, April and June.

Graduation ceremony in Stockholm City Hall
Photo: Kalle Börjeson, borjesons.se

International at the core

KTH is a truly international university where different perspectives from around the world meet to create a brighter tomorrow. Sweden, in general, and KTH in particular, has a long-standing tradition of welcoming students from all corners of the world. A large number of the 12,000 full-time students have come to KTH from outside of Sweden for degree or exchange studies. At KTH, you will have the opportunity to meet a diversity of people with different experiences, who will widen your horizons and challenge you to excel.

Industry connections

KTH emphasises the practical industrial applications of knowledge and courses have close ties to the latest research and industry. Industry collaboration extends the campus beyond its buildings, and thus brings in different perspectives and fosters new ideas. 

Programme studies at KTH are completed with a one-semester long degree project. The project is carried out in the area defined by the courses taken during the first year of the programme. It is undertaken in an industry setting, at a KTH department, or another technical university or research institute anywhere in the world. It is not unlikely that the place where you do your degree project will be the place where you will work after you have finished your KTH degree. Over 50 per cent of all KTH students receive their first job offer before they complete their degree.