Karolinska Institute

About Karolinska Instutute

Karolinska Institute is one of the world’s foremost medical universities. Our vision is to make a significant contribution to the improvement of human health; our mission is to conduct research and education and to interact with the community.

As a university, KI is Sweden’s single largest centre of medical academic research and offers the country’s widest range of medical courses and programmes.

Since 1901 the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute has selected the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.

• Department of Biosciences and Nutrition

  The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in areas of medical science including molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, cellular virology, and nutrition. The department offers an international study and working environment, including about 300 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel.

  Our Vision is that the Department of Biosciences and Nutrition shall conduct biomedical research at the international research front that attracts world-class individuals coupled to a quality-assured academic education and constituting an attractive partner for the health care system, the industrial sector and leading research centers.

• Department of Cell and Molecular Biology

  The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at Karolinska Institutet is a nationally leading academic research center of high international standard where science comes first and foremost. CMB researchers publish regularly in the best international science journals, a result of a long-term in-house culture that promotes real impact and key breakthroughs.

  The goal of CMB is to carry out excellent biomedical science through which new approaches to fight human disease can be developed. CMB is a nationally leading academic research center of high international standard where science comes first and foremost. CMB researchers publish regularly in the best international science journals, a result of a long-term in-house culture that promotes real impact and key breakthroughs. CMB has a dynamic and cosmopolitan milieu of researchers originating from all over the world and that pursue active collaborations with researcher at fellow departments at Karolinska Institutet and at the Karolinska University Hospital, as well as with researchers at most leading research centers around the globe. Also, CMB strives to provide advanced scientific training to students with a focus on intense knowledge.

  CMB is situated on the preclinical campus of Karolinska Institutet, near the main entrance to the KI-campus from Solnavägen, adjacent to the Nobel Forum and the Central Administration Building.

• Department of Clinical Neuroscience (CNS)

  At the Department of Clinical Neuroscience (CNS), we conduct research and teaching regarding the function of the brain - from a molecular level to the effect on society.

  The Department of clinical neuroscience is one of the departments of KI with the heaviest impact on education with about 450 full year admissions within the education programs.

  The head and the brain is a mutual focus for our research and consequently our education is mainly focused on these areas.

  Within the department we have four of the education programs of KI, Optician program, Psychology program, Psychotherapy program and the Master program in Insurance medicine. Besides that we are also part of the education of most of the programs of KI.

  We are also conducting several separate courses at a undergraduate as well as at an advanced level together with commissioned educations.

• Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset

  The Department of Clinical Science and Education (KI SÖS) is located at Södersjukhuset, Stockholm. The department has approximately 50 employees, whereof 7 professors, 80 PhD student and 140 researchers affiliated with the department. 

  The research at the department is focused on widespread diseases such as diabetes, stroke, allergy, tuberculosis and HIV. Our research also covers the area of emergency care, including trauma.

• Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology

  Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology is the the interface to academic health care. A close partnership between academia and healthcare enables fostering the next generation of professionals in health care and research. The department of clinical science intervention and technology is focused on undergraduate-, and graduate education as well as research. There are 13 units and one section at the department. Each head of division is responsible for undergraduate- and graduate education as well as research. Undergraduate education includes training of audiologists, physicians, speech pathologists and radiographers.

  Karolinska Institutet (KI) mission is to improve human health through research and education. Fundamental values ​​as well as an ethical and humanistic approach are core components.

  Our values ​​are based on outstanding academic activity where the common goal for both research, training and development is improved health. All activities must be based on the fundamental principles of democracy, social responsibility, ethics, transparency and human equality. All activities should have a patient perspective and meet the requirements of social, ethical and economic sustainability in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

• Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital

  The Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital conducts an extensive clinical research in several areas. The department also has extensive commissioned research. Every year, about 400 first level students conduct their medical education at the department.

  The department conducts an extensive clinical research in several areas. The department has about 70 registered doctoral students and approximately 5-10 of them graduate every year.

  Researchers at the department publish approximately 100 publications in international scientific journals every year. The department also has extensive commissioned research.

  Every year, about 400 first level students conduct their medical education at the department.

• Department of Dental Medicine (Dentmed)

  The Department of Dental Medicine (Dentmed) conducts research and offers education at first and third level in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental technology. In addition, the department offers a student clinic open to the public where students practice supervised by experienced instructors.

  The Department of Dental Medicine conducts broad ranging research in the field of oral health with the objective of contributing to the improvement of human oral health and preventing and treating oral disease.

  The KI Huddinge Campus offers excellent opportunities for conducting odontological research of high international class. The laboratories are well designed and contain high quality equipment. Its proximity to Novum, the Centre for Biosciences, Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge, and Södertörn University College helps to create a unique, creative and dynamic environment.

  The Department of Dental Medicine conducts education at first (Bachelor's) and third (Doctoral) level. We currently have some 500 first-level students and 40 doctoral students.

• Department of Laboratory Medicine

  The research conducted at the Department of Laboratory Medicine is of immediate significance to human health. An important part of the department's work is to contribute the specialised skills needed for the training of future healthcare personnel. 

  Our core activities are research and education. The subject area of Laboratory Medicine brings together basic scientific research, clinical research and healthcare. As a result, the Department holds a strategic position with good conditions for translational research, thanks to its strong basic scientific capability and span, high technical content and access to clinical problems and clinical materials. The role of the Department is to transfer medical knowledge and improve it within healthcare, in collaboration with academia, healthcare services and industry actors.

• Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics

  LIME works within several of the strategic areas important to fulfilling the motto of Karolinska Institutet: To improve human health.

  We focus on research, development and education in Medical Education, Medical Ethics, Medical Informatics, Medical Management, Medical Statistics and suicide prevention.

  Please visit our Centres and Units for more information.

• Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics

  The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics consists of 11 research divisions which are involved in teaching and research within the fields of protein chemistry, redox biochemistry, metabolism, lipid research, inflammation research, structural biochemistry, molecular biochemistry, tissue biology, and developmental biology.

  The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB) conducts research in basic science, particularly focusing on discovering the mechanisms that cause diseases. Many of the diseases studied are common diseases and some are also linked to poverty.

  Presently, MBB consists of 11 research divisions which are involved in teaching and research within the fields of protein chemistry, redox biochemistry, metabolism, lipid research, inflammation research, structural biochemistry, molecular biochemistry, tissue biology, and developmental biology.

• Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics

  At the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics we focus on research and teaching within the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics. The department is also host to KI Biobank and the Swedish Twin Registry. Our research aims to increase knowledge about the causes of disease and spread towards clinical and genetic research as well as biostatistical methodology.

  At our department researchers and doctoral students work together with statisticians, programmers, data collectors, database administrators and administrative staff to publish about 300 scientific papers and ten theses annually. We give courses at both under- and postgraduate levels and are responsible for education within the biomedicine, psychology and medical program.

• Department of Medicine, Huddinge

  The department of Medicine, Huddinge conducts graduate and post-graduate education, as well as research, within a wide range of the medical field, covering all internal medicine specialties, infectious diseases and dermatology.

  The department consists of seven units with a total of nearly 70 research groups, including three research centres. Our ambition is to be the leading department for medical research and education.We also give several courses within the Study Programme in Medicine and have a strong tradition of pedagogical development.

   

• Department of Medicine, Solna

  The Department of medicine, Solna is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet. The core activities of the Department of Medicine are clinical and undergraduate education for medical as well as biomedical students, post-graduate education including at present 170 registered PhD students, and research in different areas of biomedicine.

  The Department of Medicine consists of 44 research groups belonging to 14 different research units, as listed to the left on this page, representing a broad variety of medical entities. The research groups are established at the Karolinska University Hospital campus in Solna, in association with their respective clinics, as well as localized within the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM).

  One strength of the Department is the closeness to patients, with the possibility to obtain clinical samples and to relate these to clinical features of the patients, thus allowing studies in an integrated basic and clinical scientific environment.

  There are approximately 440 employees and 330 associated at the Department of Medicine. In 2015, the Department's turnover was around 450 million Swedish kronor, where 25% constituted governmental funding. The organization is centered around the research groups, where the group research leaders assume financial responsibility for their own groups and hence have a large degree of independence.

  As an integrated part of the Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, the Department of Medicine is influenced by the ongoing re-organization of the Hospital. It is the overall aim of the Head of the Department to by large maintain the present form of the Department, but also to keep a flexible profile and meet new demands from the Karolinska Institutet and from the new Karolinska University Hospital.

• Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology

  Research at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) focuses on immunology, infection biology and cell and tumor biology.

  The fight against infections and cancer worldwide are the major goals of the research at MTC. The merge of infection biology, immunology and tumor biology provides an unique platform where fruitful interactions and collaborations are developed. Several core facilities including the Karolinska Institutet Visualization Faciity (KIVIF) and the FACS Facility provide an excellent infrastructure. MTC has an exceptional diversity of researchers from all over the globe enriching each others scientific and social life. MTC's famous daily seminars and numerous international and national collaborations, including clinical partners, makes it a perfect place for transfering knowledge and creativity.

• Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery

  The Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (MMK) carries out both preclinical and clinical research within numerous fields. Linked to the department are approximately 450 researchers, postgraduate students, teachers and technical & administrative staff. 

  We conduct both pre-clinical and clinical research at the Department. The research is carried out at 25 research groups and the majority of the research groups operates at the Karolinska University Hospital.

• Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society

  NVS conducts experimental, clinical, health care science and epidemiological research with particular focus on aging and diseases in the elderly. Our research within the area of ​​dementia is at the international forefront. Successful research is also conducted in various other areas including stroke, cancer and rheumatology. The research is translational, ranging from genes to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and care. The greater part of our research is thus carried out in close collaboration with the health care sector and we strive to quickly implement it into clinical practice. 

  The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet (KI), consists of eleven divisions with shared departmental management. Some divisions have a strong focus on experimental laboratory research and doctoral education, while others have a more clinical focus with a significant proportion of educational activities. In 2013, more than 450 people were employed at NVS and we had a turnover of SEK 370 million. About 45 % of our funding comes directly from the state and more than 30 % comes from other external funding for research and education. Other revenues are generated within KI by sources including freestanding courses and fees for executive and professional education.

• Department of Neuroscience

  The Department of Neuroscience offers an international environment that brings together faculty with different expertise to study the development and function of the nervous system in health and disease.

  Our aims include the understanding of the complexity of neural circuits, how they are shaped and reshaped during development through adulthood to process sensory information, drive behavior and give rise to the functions of the mind. Our research has a direct bearing on neurological and psychiatric diseases including neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

  The research activity at the Department falls mostly within four major research areas: Cognitive neuroscience, Genetic and molecular basis of nervous system disorders, Development, biology and pathology of neural cells and Neural networks and behavior. In addition, we have active research within Medical nanoscience that opens up new applications in the field of neuroscience.

  Our strategic objectives are:

  • to provide appropriate structures and infrastructures for outstanding neuroscience research;
  • to promote young neuroscientists;
  • to create collaborative synergies.

• Department of Oncology-Pathology

  At the Department of Oncology-Pathology, basic, translational and clinical research and educational activities related to cancer is carried out.

  Approximately 300 people from over 40 nations are currently working at the department. We have 37 research groups working mainly within research related to cancer and we have around 120 PhD students. The department annually receives around 110 million SEK in governmental and non-governmental funding.

  The Department of Oncology-Pathology is responsible for undergraduate courses in Pathology, Oncology and Forensic Medicine for medical students, as well as Tumor biology courses for biomedicine students and Pathology courses for opticians.

• Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

  At the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology we are committed to teaching and conducting internationally acclaimed, high-quality research in physiology, pharmacology, anesthesiology and intensive care. We have around 400 employees, 30 research groups, and 90 doctoral students. 

  When you choose to become a researcher or take a doctorate at the department, you will be met by a long-standing academic tradition combined with the technology and development opportunities of tomorrow. Here you will find:

  • An effective integration of clinical and pre-clinical research.
  • Several highly internationally successful research teams.
  • Efficient administrative support for researchers, teachers and students.

• Department of Public Health Sciences

  At the Department of Public Health Sciences we conduct research and provide education in public health science. The department's ten research groups conduct research in global health, public health epidemiology and social medicine.

• Department of Women's and Children's Health

  The research at the Department of Women's and Children's Health deals with both basic and clinical science in women's and children's health. The research takes place in 9 units with separate scientific profiles. The units vary in size and have several research groups. We are also engaged in education on both undergraduate (MD programme), specialist (paediatric nurses, midwives, physicians), and postgraduate levels.

• Institute of Environmental Medicine

  The Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), a department at Karolinska Institutet, is an interdisciplinary research organisation with internationally competitive research in the fields of epidemiology, toxicology, physiology and environmental medicine.

  The Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) is a research department at Karolinska Institutet, with activities within the broad field of environmental medicine - how risk factors in the environment can affect health. Focus is on chemical, physical and life style factors.

  Research at IMM is carried out in four major areas:

  • epidemiology
  • toxicology
  • physiology
  • environmental and occupational medicine.

  IMM also provides authorities in Sweden and EC as well as international organizations like The World Health Organization (WHO) with expertise, support and advice regarding environmental health risk assessments.

  IMM has about 350 employees.

History

Karolinska Institute was founded by King Karl XIII in 1810 as an "academy for the training of skilled army surgeons". Today, Karolinska Institute is a modern medical university and one of the foremost in the world.

With our close relationship to the clinical milieu, a well established infrastructure and a stable financial situation, Karolinska Institute has excellent prerequisites for sustaining high quality research and education.

19th century

1810 - Karolinska Institute is founded by Kung Karl XIII on 13 December 1810 as an "academy for the training of skilled army surgeons" after one in three soldiers wounded in the Finnish War against Russia dies in the field hospitals. The medical skills of the army barber-surgeons are manifestly inadequate, so Sweden needs to train surgeons in order to better prepare the country for future wars.

1811 - Karolinska Institute is licensed to train not only surgeons but medical practitioners in general.

1895 - Alfred Nobel's testament bequeaths Karolinska Institute the right to select the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Since then, this assignment has given Karolinska Institute a broad contact network in the field of medical science. Over the years, five researchers from Karolinska Institute have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

20th century

1997 - Karolinska Institute is granted official status as a university, with a mission to "contribute to the improvement of human health through research, education and information".

21st century

2010 - Karolinska Institute celebrates its 200th anniversary!

Accreditation or Recognition

• Utbildningsdepartementet, Sverige
• Swedish National Agency of Higher Education (SNAHE)

Rankings

The QS World University Rankings for life sciences and medicine ranked Karolinska Institute as follows:

Living and studying in Sweden

Students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland have to pay tuition fees. However, exchange students from partner universities do not have to pay any tuition fees.

There are no funds within Karolinska Institute to support international students. You will have to finance your stay in Sweden by means of funding from your home country or private funds. Exchange students are supposed to cover their costs in Sweden by for example grants from exchange programmes such as Nordplus, Erasmus or Linnaeus-Palme. A feasible monthly budget for a student in Stockholm is 8,000 SEK at minimum.

Education at doctoral level has no tuition fee, regardless of the country of the student. As a doctoral student you will be financially supported through your doctoral education.

Other studying possibilities

Freestanding courses in English

Freestanding courses are courses offered in English open for international students. Freestanding courses are courses that can be taken without being enrolled in a program. They may be a part of a program, but you can also follow them as a freestanding course and include them in a degree.

MOOC Massive Open Online Courses

Karolinska Institutet was the first Swedish University to offer Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) and continues to develop it’s open education initiative through the KI MOOC Lab.

MOOCs are Massive Open Online Courses – web-based courses that are open for everybody and can therefore attract thousands of participants. In fall 2014 Karolinska Institutet was the first Swedish university to offer MOOCs – here is how it works.

Swedish courses

All international students are offered a complementary Swedish course as part of their introduction.

The introduction week that takes place in the week prior to the start of the autumn semester begins with a three day intensive Swedish course. If a student cannot attend this first Swedish course, they can join an evening course during the first semester of their stay.

Students may of course attend the rest of the introduction week even if they are unable to come to the intensive Swedish course.

Why you should choose Karolinska Institute

Karolinska Institute (KI) is a globally respected medical university marked by a passion for research and a drive to contribute to the improvement of human health. As a KI student, you can become an active part of that mission and open doors to a global future.

• It is a one-faculty university dedicated solely to the medical and health sciences with a reputation for top quality research and innovation.
• It is consistently ranked in the top 50 universities globally, and the top 10 medical universities in Europe.
• There are international career opportunities for graduates, with close links to the public and private sectors throughout the time of study, as well as opportunities for further PhD studies - which aretuition free.
• Teachers at Karolinska Institute often carry out research in parallel with teaching. This ensures that students are involved in the latest advances within the medical field. 
• The Global Master's and Bachelor Programmes are taught entirely in English.
• The university incorporates an interactive teaching model that emphasises informal and close contact with teachers and facilitates the active participation of students.
• The Nobel connection: awarding the prestigious Nobel Prize every year has given Karolinska Institute an invaluable contact network and a unique survey of medical research results worldwide.
• It is situated in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, which offers comfort and convenience: good public transport, history, culture, and business, surrounded by plenty of green space and blue water.
• Sweden is one of the safest countries in the world and nearly 90% of the general population speaks English.

• The Karolinska Institutet Global Master's Scholarships