Applications to Chalmers’ master’s programmes have risen by more than ten per cent. International interest is also becoming more widespread, with a marked increase in applicants from Europe.
Interest in Chalmers’ master’s programmes continues to grow. For autumn 2026, the number of applications submitted on time to the 39 regular master’s programmes open to external applicants rose by 10.6 per cent to 16,600. The number of first-choice applicants increased by 7.1 per cent to 5,414.
But more applicants and admitted students do not automatically mean that more students begin their studies. In the comparable data, the proportion of admitted students who started their studies fell from 40.2 to 32.8 per cent.
‘We want more of those who show an interest, apply and are admitted to actually choose Chalmers. We need to continue developing how we describe our programmes and why Chalmers is a good choice,’ says Cecilia Hillman, Head of Unit at Student and Alumni Relations.
Broader international interest – increase from Europe
Interest in Chalmers comes from many parts of the world. We are seeing more applicants from several countries, including Indonesia, the United States and Kenya. India and China remain the two largest markets for fee-paying students, but the trends differ. The number of fee-paying students from India rose from 72 to 89, while the number from China fell from 126 to 67. At the same time, the numbers from several other countries are rising: from 8 to 18 for Bangladesh, from 7 to 14 for Pakistan and from 0 to 11 for Nigeria.
‘It is positive to see broader international interest. We have long worked to reach students in different parts of the world, and we want even more of them to choose Chalmers,’ says Cecilia Hillman, Head of Unit at Student and Alumni Relations.
The number of applicants with a registered country of education or prior education in Europe has also increased. Between 2024 and 2026, it rose from 919 to 1,182 – an increase of just under 29 per cent over two years. Sweden is not included in these figures.
At the same time, competition for international students is changing. The range of English-taught programmes in Europe has grown, giving students more options, sometimes with lower tuition fees than in the traditionally major English-speaking study destinations. Visa rules also affect their choices. Many students apply to several universities in different countries and wait longer before deciding where to study.
Marked increases for several programmes
This year’s application figures show marked increases for several master’s programmes. The increase for Entrepreneurship and Business Design is particularly large. Applications to Biomedical Engineering and Materials Chemistry have also risen.
The increase for Entrepreneurship and Business Design is in line with a trend that the student recruitment team has observed for several years: growing international interest in specialised master’s programmes in entrepreneurship, management and related fields. Entrepreneurship is also a strength that Chalmers has long highlighted internationally, both as part of its educational environment and through opportunities to develop ideas, work with innovation and create something of your own. This may be one factor behind the increased number of applications to the programme.
New model for master’s programmes
Chalmers is currently undertaking a major overhaul of its master’s programmes. The new programmes will welcome their first students in autumn 2027, apart from a few that will be introduced in autumn 2028.
The new model for master’s programmes is intended to make it easier for Chalmers to develop their content in step with technological advances and the needs of society. Broader master’s programmes will be combined with optional specialisations that can change over time. It should also become easier for students to make informed choices based on their interests and future careers.
‘A degree from Chalmers is a mark of quality and must give students the knowledge and perspectives they need to meet technological advances and the needs of society. By renewing our master’s programmes, we are strengthening both our range of programmes and Chalmers’ international competitiveness,’ says Jörgen Blennow, Vice President, Education.