The Swedish Armed Forces are launching a collaboration with three Swedish technical universities, including Chalmers University of Technology, to establish a new engineering officer training programme. The programme will begin in the autumn semester of 2026.
A new educational pathway for soldiers and sailors with technical competence and leadership potential is now being introduced by the Swedish Armed Forces – the Special Technical Officer Training (Särskild teknisk officersutbildning, STOFU). For the first time, a civilian Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree is being combined with military officer training in collaboration with civilian technical universities. The universities involved in the collaboration are Chalmers, Blekinge Institute of Technology and Luleå University of Technology.
Integrated education provides dual competencies
“With the rapid technological development in society – not least within defence related technology – an integrated education is an effective solution, one that is used in other countries and that has also previously existed in Sweden. The need for engineering expertise, which can also be further developed through a master’s programme, is well met by the technical universities. We need to take our share of responsibility for our security,” says Jörgen Blennow, Vice President for Education at Chalmers University of Technology.
Through this collaboration, engineering students gain the opportunity to train as officers in parallel and apply their dual competencies within the Swedish Armed Forces. Participants will complete six semesters in a regular Bachelor of Science in Engineering programme, combined with military training during the summers and a concluding officer training programme at the Swedish Defence University. After receiving both degrees, they will be employed as technical officers in the Swedish Armed Forces.
Access to the latest technical expertise
“This is a unique new collaboration that we in the Swedish Armed Forces are very proud of. This model brings double benefits. As our officer training programmes are almost at full capacity, we are creating additional study places while ensuring that future colleagues gain access to the latest technical expertise at the civilian technical universities,” says Jonas Hård af Segerstad, Deputy Head of the Swedish Armed Forces Training and Development Unit, in a press release.
About the admission process
The first intake will be in the autumn semester of 2026. Applicants are responsible for applying to both parts of the programme, that is, to the Special Technical Officer Training programme and to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering programme. Admission to Chalmers follows the regular selection process and takes place in competition with other applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering programme. There is therefore no separate selection group or guaranteed place. Upon completion of the programme requirements, Chalmers awards a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, which forms part of the new Special Technical Officer Training programme.
Applications to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering programmes are submitted in the usual way via antagning.se. The Swedish Armed Forces are responsible for the procedures related to the application for the military training. The application period runs from 16 March to 15 April 2026.
Read more on the Swedish Armed Forces’ website:
Contact
- Advisor, University Executive Office, Chalmers Operations Support