Information for incoming academic refugees from Ukraine
On this page we gather information for you who due to the war in Ukraine want to study or work at Karolinska Institutet.
For undergraduate students
There is currently limited possibility to participate in undergraduate programs unless the Swedish government modifies its rules & regulations (see below).
For postgraduate students
Identify a research group that is conducting research similar to that of your own PhD project, and contact the principal investigator to discuss potential collaborative projects.
For Researchers
Identify a research group that is conducting research similar to your own interests and contact the principal investigator to discuss potential collaborative projects.
Current rules and regulations
Formal admission to education
If you wish to be formally enrolled as a student at KI, you must be admitted in accordance with the rules of the Higher Education Ordinance (the Higher Education Ordinance and KI's Admission Scheme for undergraduate and advanced level education and the Admission Scheme for postgraduate education).
- Most undergraduate education programmes (e.g. medicine) are taught using Swedish and thus knowledge of the Swedish language is required.
- The Bachelor's program in Biomedicine and the Global Master’s programmes are given in English where no prior knowledge of Swedish is required.
- Most PhD courses are taught using English and most research groups use English as the language for communication.
- Formal applications for all Bachelor’s and Master’s in English are made via Universityadmissions and selection is in open competition.
You do not need to pre-verify any of your documents supporting your eligibility for courses, this is done as part of the application process. If you do not have access to your documents or have questions about the recognition of your foreign qualifications, please contact UHR by email or telephone: 010-470 03 00.
Available advertised PhD positions
Tuition fees
A refugee undergraduate or PhD student from the war in Ukraine does not need to pay a tuition fee once they have received a temporary residence permit in Sweden, in accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive. To be eligible for this Directive, the student must have arrived in Sweden on 30 October 2021.
Research positions
All positions must be advertised and appointed on the basis of merit and skill. There are exceptions according to the employment regulations when researchers have received funding in their own name.
Links to general information for people coming to Sweden from Ukraine
Residence permit according to the Temporary Protection Directive
The directive applies to:
- Ukrainian citizens who have lived in Ukraine
- persons with a residence permit as a refugee or alternatively in need of protection in Ukraine
- family members of the two above.
To be covered by the directive, you must have come to Sweden on or after 30 October 2021. Even asylum seekers who were already in Sweden when the war began can now receive protection under the Temporary Protection Directive.
People apply by registering and presenting a biometric home country passport or other Ukrainian identity documents with the Swedish Migration Agency, as well as leaving fingerprints and being photographed. Ukrainian citizens with a valid passport or other ID document can apply for temporary protection on the web and leave biometrics later.
Persons covered by the Temporary Protection Directive receive a residence permit with temporary protection. If you have a residence permit with temporary protection under the Temporary Protection Directive and wish to remain in Sweden, you must apply for an extended residence permit no later than 4 March 2024. The application must be submitted in the e‑service, which will be open from 29 January to 4 March 2024, see Apply for extended protection between 29 January and 4 March. Once you have received your permit, you have the right to work, the right to seek basic care, the right to schooling for children and certain financial assistance in Sweden. The UT card states that a residence permit has been granted for temporary protection.
Housing
The Swedish Migration Agency can offer temporary accommodation, but you must not choose where to live but must be prepared to move to a city where there are vacant homes.