Karlstad University
Karlstad, Sweden • World Rank #1668
Overview
Operating from Karlstad, Sweden, Karlstad University delivers higher education as a public institution. It serves as a higher-education provider within Sweden.
Academically, Karlstad University delivers teaching across bachelor's and master's programmes. Its institutional structure includes several faculties and runs a small set of programmes across multiple disciplines.
Approximately 16,000 students study at Karlstad University across its programmes. The institution's daily rhythm unfolds within its campus environment, supported by academic and administrative staff.
Globally, Karlstad University sits at #1668 globally and #19 within Sweden. The institution participates in Sweden's academic ecosystem alongside other higher-education providers.
Location & Contact
Find Karlstad University on the map and reach the right office through the contact channels listed below. Use these for general enquiries; specific departments often run their own contact pages.
Academic Details
The numbers below cover the academic side of Karlstad University. Academic calendar conventions vary — semester, trimester, or quarter systems each carry different teaching rhythms.
Degrees
Karlstad University's qualifications are listed below by level, so you can quickly find the route that matches your study stage. Some levels feed naturally into the next, while others stand alone.
Bachelor's 33 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Cultural Studies
- Dance
- Dentistry
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Human Resources
- Industrial Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Music Education
- Nursing
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Primary Education
- Public Relations
- Real Estate
- Safety Engineering
- Social Work
- Sports Medicine
- Surveying and Mapping
- Teacher Training
- Tourism
Master's 26 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Educational Administration
- Educational Sciences
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Fiscal Law
- Health Education
- Health Sciences
- Information Sciences
- Law
- Management
- Marketing
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media Studies
- Nursing
- Physical Engineering
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Special Education
- Teacher Training
Other 29 programs
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Education
- Energy Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Geography (Human)
- History
- Human Resources
- Information Sciences
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Music
- Nursing
- Pedagogy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Theology
Faculties & Divisions
Karlstad University's departmental layout. Some institutions use 'school' for what others call 'department' — terminology varies but the function (subject area management) is similar.
Arts and Social Science (Faculty) 33 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Acting
- Business Administration
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Literature
- Cultural Studies
- Dance
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- English
- Film
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Geography (Human)
- History
- Human Resources
- Information Sciences
- Law
- Leadership
- Media Studies
- Music
- Pedagogy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Swedish
- Tourism
- Visual Arts
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health, Science and Technology (Faculty) 18 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nursing
- Oral Pathology
- Physics
- Public Health
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Teacher Education (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Teacher Training
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
The programmes you can apply for at Karlstad University are grouped by degree level. Programme-level accreditation (separate from institutional) matters for regulated professions like law, medicine, and engineering.
Bachelor's Degree
44 programmes
Karlstad University runs 44 programmes at bachelor's level — undergraduate programmes that usually span three to four years and serve as the standard entry route into a profession or further study.
Web Developer Kandidatprogram i webbutvecklare 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor's Programme in Political Science Kandidatprogram i statskunskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Global Perspectives on Gender, Human Rights and Social Justice Kandidatprogram i genus, mänskliga rättigheter och social rättvisa 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Engineering: Surveying Technology and Geographical IT Kandidatprogram i lantmäteri- och GIS-teknik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Electrical Engineering Kandidatprogram i elektroteknik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Drug Analysis - Bachelor Programme in Chemistry Kandidatprogram i kemi - drogtestanalys 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Digital Media Analysis Kandidatprogram i digital medieanalys 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Degree Programme in Environmental Science with Specialisation in Risk Management Kandidatprogram i miljövetenskap med inriktning riskhantering 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Culture, Policy and Management Programme Kandidatprogram i kultur, politik och management 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Biomedical Scientist Program Kandidatprogram i biomedicinsk vetenskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Biology Programme Kandidatprogram i biologi 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Behavioural Science Programme Kandidatprogram i beteendevetenskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Visual Communication and Design Kandidatprogram i visuell kommunikation och design 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor's Programme in Information Systems with Business Perspectives Kandidatprogram i informationssystem med företagsperspektiv 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor's Programme in Information Systems Development Kandidatprogram i informationssystemsutveckling 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor Programme in Physics Kandidatprogram i fysik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor Programme in Music Production Kandidatprogram i musikproduktion 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor Programme in Music Kandidatprogram i musik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor Programme in Business Administration: Global Sustainable Business Kandidatprogram i företagsekonomi: Global hållbar näringsverksamhet 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor of Science in Social Work Kandidatprogram i socialt arbete 4 years 210 credits On-campus
Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Energy Engineering Kandidatprogram i miljö- och energiteknik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Bachelor Programme in Computer Science Kandidatprogram i datavetenskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Human Resource Management and Working Life Kandidatprogram i personalvetenskap och arbetsliv 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Tourism and Place Design Kandidatprogram i turism och platsdesign 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in Public Relations Kandidatprogram i public relations 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in Nursing Kandidatprogram i sjuksköterska 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in Mechanical Engineering Kandidatprogram i maskinteknik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in IT, Project Management and ERP Systems Kandidatprogram i IT, projektledning och ERP-system 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in IT-Design Kandidatprogram i IT-design 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in Innovation and Design Engineering Kandidatprogram i innovations- och designteknik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in Engineering - Computer Science Kandidatprogram i teknik - datavetenskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Study Programme in Building and Construction Engineering Kandidatprogram i byggteknik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Sports and Health Coaching Programme Kandidatprogram i idrotts- och hälsovetenskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Spatial and Social Planning Programme Kandidatprogram i samhälle- och rumsplanering 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Real Estate Management Kandidatprogram i fastighetsvetenskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Programme in Surveying and Mapping Kandidatprogram i lantmäterikonst 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Programme in Dental Hygiene Kandidatprogram i tandhygien 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Programme in Business and Economics Kandidatprogram i företagsekonomi och nationalekonomi 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Mathematics Programme Kandidatprogram i matematik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Law Programme Kandidatprogram i juridik 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Health, Environment and Society – Bachelor Program in Public Health Sciences Hälsa, miljö och samhälle - Kandidatprogram i folkhälsovetenskap 3 years 180 credits On-campus
Academic English English Language Studies 8 hp credits On-campus English
Artificial Intelligence - Bachelor Programme in Computer Science Artificiell intelligens - Kandidatprogram i datavetenskap 3 years 180 hp credits On-campus English
Academic Writing in English English Language Studies 8 hp credits On-campus English
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
43 programmes
Explore 43 programmes of postgraduate study at Karlstad University. A master's degree sharpens specialist knowledge and often carries a dissertation or major project.
GeoAI for Sustainable Futures Masterprogram i GeoAI för hållbar framtid 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Information Systems Masterprogram i informatik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in History Masterprogram i historia 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Geomedia Studies: Media, Mobility and Spatial Planning Masterprogram i geomediestudier: media, mobilitet och rumslig planering 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in English Masterprogram i engelska 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Educational Work – Early Childhood Education and Care Masterprogram i pedagogiskt arbete - förskole- och skolbarnomsorg 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Educational Leadership and School Development Masterprogram i pedagogiskt ledarskap och skolförveckling 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Critical Social Analysis Masterprogram i kritisk samhällsanalys 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Biology: Ecology and Conservation Biology Masterprogram i biologi: ekologi och naturvård 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Applied Economics and Advanced Analytical Methods Masterprogram i tillämpad nationalekonomi och avancerade analysmetoder 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Accounting and Control Masterprogram i redovisning och styrning 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Innovation and Service Development Masterprogram i innovation och tjänsteutveckling 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Engineering, Degree Programme in Environmental and Energy Engineering Masterprogram i miljö- och energiteknik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master in Mechanical Engineering - Specialization Data-driven Mechanical Engineering Masterprogram i maskinteknik - inriktning datadriven maskinteknik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Psychology Programme Masterprogram i psykologi 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Masterprogram i maskinteknik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management Masterprogram i industriell ekonomi och management 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Engineering Physics Masterprogram i teknisk fysik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Energy and Environmental Engineering Masterprogram i miljö- och energiteknik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Computer Engineering Masterprogram i datateknik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Masterprogram i kemiteknik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master in Computer Science Masterprogram i datavetenskap 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master's Programme in Intelligent Communication Systems Masterprogram i intelligenta kommunikationssystem 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Risk Management in Society Masterprogram i riskhantering i samhället 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Special Education Masterprogram i specialpedagogik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme: Spatial and Social Transformations Masterprogram: rumsligheter och samhällsförvandlingar 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Subject-Specific Education Masterprogram i ämnesdidaktik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
One Year Master in Working Life Science Masterprogram i arbetsvetenskap 1 year 60 credits On-campus
Master's Degree Programme (one year) in Tax Law Masterprogram i skatterätt 1 year 60 credits On-campus
Master Programme (one year) in Project Management Masterprogram i projektledning 1 year 60 credits Online
Master's Programme in Physics - Theoretical Physics Masterprogram i fysik - teoretisk fysik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master's Programme in Physics - Nanomaterials Masterprogram i fysik - nanomaterial 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master's Programme in Intelligent Software Systems Masterprogram i intelligenta programvarusystem 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master's Programme in Cybersecurity Masterprogram i cybersäkerhet 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Political Science Masterprogram i statskunskap 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Sport Science Masterprogram i idrottsvetenskap 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Social Work Masterprogram i socialt arbete 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Public Health Science: Children's Life and Health Masterprogram i folkhälsovetenskap: barns liv och hälsa 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Psychology with a Focus on the Future and Global Survival Masterprogram i psykologi med fokus på framtid och globalt överlevnad 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Political Science - Psychological Defense and Disinformation Masterprogram i statskunskap - psykologiskt försvar och desinformation 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Music Masterprogram i musik 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Marketing Masterprogram i marknadsföring 2 years 120 credits On-campus
Master Programme in Management: Sustainable Value Creation Masterprogram i management: hållbar värdesskapande 2 years 120 credits On-campus
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Karlstad University
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Karlstad University, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Use the programme finder to browse Karlstad University's 87 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Programme-level requirements at Karlstad University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Karlstad University processes applications through www.kau.se. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at 054-700 10 00. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Karlstad University
Frequently asked questions about Karlstad University, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.
What city is Karlstad University in?
Karlstad University operates from Karlstad, Sweden.
Is Karlstad University public or private?
Karlstad University is a public institution.
How big is Karlstad University's student body?
Karlstad University serves approximately 16,000 students.
Where does Karlstad University stand in university rankings?
Karlstad University holds rank #1668 globally and #19 in Sweden.
What qualification levels does Karlstad University offer?
Karlstad University offers bachelor's and master's programmes.
Who recognises Karlstad University?
The institution holds recognition from Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ).
How do I find Karlstad University online?
You can find Karlstad University online at www.kau.se.
Top-Ranked Universities in Sweden
Below: Sweden's top-ranked universities, providing benchmarks for Karlstad University's academic standing. National rankings reflect a mix of research output, teaching quality, and graduate outcomes.
Where Else to Study English Language Studies
Foreign-language teaching requirements for English Language Studies programmes vary across Sweden. Some run entirely in the national language; others offer English-medium delivery for international students.
Universities Often Compared with Karlstad University
Comparable peer metrics — selectivity, yield, faculty awards — give a fuller picture than headline rankings alone. The universities below cluster around Karlstad University on most of these signals.
