Karlstad University is a public university in Karlstad, in the Swedish county of Värmland. In 2025 it reported about 18,700 undergraduate students, 282 research education students and 1,393 staff.[1] It gained full university status in 1999.[2]
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland pay tuition. For 2026/27 the university gives total programme fees of SEK 200,000–580,000 for master’s programmes and SEK 285,000–450,000 for bachelor’s programmes; EU/EEA and Swiss citizens pay no tuition.[3] English-taught programmes require Swedish upper secondary English 6 or equivalent.[4] We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position for Karlstad.
Key facts
| Official name | Karlstads universitet |
| Location | Karlstad, Värmland, Sweden[2] |
| Type | Public (state) university[2] |
| History | Started in 1967 as the Karlstad campus of the University of Gothenburg; independent university college in 1977; full university status in 1999[2] |
| Students (2025) | About 18,700 (listed as undergraduate students); 282 research education students[1] |
| Staff (2025) | 1,393, of whom 69% teaching and research and 31% technical and administrative[1] |
| Programmes and courses | About 90 programmes, about 800 courses and 55 subjects[1] |
| Faculties | Two faculties for education and research; Wikipedia names the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology[5] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (no readable source named a position) |
| Tuition 2026/27, non-EU/EEA/Swiss students | Total programme fee SEK 200,000–580,000 (master’s), SEK 285,000–450,000 (bachelor’s)[3] |
| Application fee | SEK 900 per application, set nationally[3] |
| Tuition exempt | EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, exchange students, PhD students[3] |
| English requirement | Upper secondary English 6 or equivalent (example: Master in Computer Science)[4] |
| Official website | kau.se |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Karlstad University
Karlstad University began in 1967 as the Karlstad campus of the University of Gothenburg, became an independent university college in 1977 and received full university status from the Swedish government in 1999.[2] Its own pages describe two faculties for education and research, each with several departments, and a separate office and governing body for teacher education.[5]
Wikipedia also lists Karlstad Business School (formed in 2009 as a brand for business-related programmes) and the Ingesund School of Music, part of the Department of Artistic Studies.[2] In 2025 the university had 1,393 staff and a total operating income of SEK 1,499.5 million.[1]
How is Karlstad University ranked?
We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position (published 18 June 2026) for Karlstad University. QS blocks automated access to its site, and none of the sources we read named a Karlstad position, so we give none. Karlstad’s own facts page mentions no rankings.[1]
The Studyportals page “Sweden University Rankings 2027 | SP Meta Ranking” places Karlstad 18th among Swedish universities. This is a different ranking from QS and measures a different thing.[6] Treat any single position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Karlstad University?
The university lists about 90 programmes, about 800 courses and 55 subjects.[1] Programmes differ in language and format:
- English-taught master’s: for example the two-year Master in Computer Science (120 ECTS credits, full-time, on campus in Karlstad, taught in English).[4]
- Swedish-language programmes: for example a bridging education programme of 60 ECTS credits, taught in Swedish as distance learning with four mandatory on-campus meetings in Karlstad.[7]
- Music and business: Wikipedia lists the Ingesund School of Music and Karlstad Business School as parts of the university.[2]
Each programme page states its language, entry requirements and fee. For an overview of the country, see our Study in Sweden guide.
How much does Karlstad University cost in 2026/27?
Tuition applies to students with citizenship outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, exchange students and students admitted to a PhD programme are exempt.[3] The amounts below are total programme fees for academic year 2026/27, not yearly amounts.[3]
| Type | Fee (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Master’s programmes | 200,000–580,000 total |
| Bachelor’s programmes | 285,000–450,000 total |
| Music programmes | 290,000–870,000 total |
| Single courses, humanities, law, social sciences | 1,600 per ECTS credit |
| Single courses, natural sciences, technology, health | 2,500 per ECTS credit |
| Single courses, medical and sports sciences | 3,200 per ECTS credit |
| Single courses, music | 5,000 per ECTS credit |
Tuition is paid in advance for each semester, and admission and the right to begin studies depend on payment by the stated deadline. The exact fee is on each programme page.[3] Two examples from programme pages: the Master in Computer Science (120 ECTS) has a total fee of SEK 310,000 with SEK 77,500 per semester[4], and a Swedish-language 60-credit bridging programme has a total of SEK 120,000 at SEK 60,000 per semester.[7] Those pages do not show the intake year of the fee, so confirm it when you apply.
Scholarships
A scholarship that covers tuition reduces the fee by its amount.[3] The scholarship page updated on 15 October 2026 lists, for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland: the Karlstad University Global Scholarship (50% tuition reduction, master’s), the EH International Programme Scholarship (50%, eligible STEM programmes), and fixed reductions of SEK 100,000 (Erna Gruppen, Löfbergs, Uddeholms, Saab Dynamics) or SEK 50,000 (Infrakraft). It also lists the Swedish Institute’s SI Scholarship for Global Professionals and the SI Scholarship for Pioneering Women in STEM, both fully funded.[8] An earlier page of the Scholarship Committee (updated 26 June 2026) describes the EH scholarship differently, as covering tuition fees without a percentage, so check the current rules.[9]
How do you apply to Karlstad University?
Applications to Karlstad’s programmes are made through the national portal universityadmissions.se.[4] The portal’s first round is recommended for all international students because it covers the full English-taught catalogue and leaves time for tuition payment, a residence permit and housing; the second round is recommended only for EU/EEA students who need no residence permit.[10]
- Check the entry requirements and fee on the programme page, then apply through the portal with the programme’s application code.[4]
- Students who must pay tuition also pay an application fee of SEK 900 per application.[3]
- Admission and the right to begin studies are conditional on paying the first tuition instalment by the stated deadline.[3]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year. The programme page shows the current application window.
Which language level do you need?
The Master in Computer Science lists upper secondary English 6 (also called English level 2) or equivalent as an entry requirement.[4] The national admissions service accepts these tests for English 6: IELTS Academic with an overall 6.5 and no section below 5.5; TOEFL iBT with a total of 4.5 on the 1–6 scale and no section below 4 (for results dated 21 January 2026 or later); Pearson PTE Academic 62 with writing 61; or Cambridge C1 Advanced with at least 180. A higher level, English 7, has its own score table on that page.[11]
A letter from your school or university is not enough on its own, and there are exemptions, for example 60 ECTS credits taught in English in certain countries.[11] Swedish-language programmes, such as the bridging programme above, are taught in Swedish.[7]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Karlstad University cost for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 the total programme fee is SEK 200,000–580,000 for master’s programmes and SEK 285,000–450,000 for bachelor’s programmes. The exact fee is on each programme page.[3]
Is Karlstad University free for EU students?
Yes for tuition: EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, exchange students and PhD students do not pay tuition fees.[3]
Does Karlstad University offer scholarships?
Yes, for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The listed options include a 50% Global Scholarship for master’s students and fixed reductions of SEK 50,000 or 100,000, plus Swedish Institute scholarships.[8]
What English level is required?
How is Karlstad University ranked?
We could not confirm a QS 2027 position. Studyportals’ Meta Ranking places it 18th among Swedish universities.[6]
More about studying in Sweden
- Sweden: best universities
- Study in Sweden: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Sweden
- Blekinge Institute of Technology
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Halmstad University
- Jönköping University
- Karolinska Institutet
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Linköping University
- Linnaeus University
- Luleå University of Technology
- Lund University
- Mälardalen University
- Malmö University
- Örebro University
- Stockholm School of Economics (SSE)
- Stockholm University
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
- Umeå University
- University of Gothenburg
- Uppsala University
Sources
[1] Karlstad University: Karlstad University in numbers (page updated 20 Feb 2026; figures from the 2025 annual report)
[2] Wikipedia: Karlstad University (history, status and faculties; secondary source)
[3] Karlstad University: Tuition fees (page updated 27 Mar 2026)
[4] Karlstad University: Master in Computer Science (page without a date; autumn 2027 intake shown)
[5] Karlstad University: About the university (page without a date)
[6] Mastersportal (Studyportals): Sweden University Rankings 2027, SP Meta Ranking (page without a date; not a QS ranking)
[7] Karlstad University: Bridging Education, Business Administration Upper Secondary School (page without a date; next intake autumn 2027)
[8] Karlstad University: Scholarships (page updated 15 Oct 2026)
[9] Karlstad University: Scholarships through Karlstad University’s Scholarship Committee (page updated 26 Jun 2026)
[10] University Admissions in Sweden: Start page (page without a date)
[11] University Admissions in Sweden: English language requirements (page updated 13 Oct 2025)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.