Attention! This is not a drill—Master programme decisions for the 2026 intake are officially out! Congratulations, future KI student, you made it. All those nights of hard work, library yap sessions with your friends, and wondering how to fill out the CV form have come to fruition. I can’t believe it’s been a year since I saw the green tick and the word “admitted” on my page; it still feels surreal. One year later, here I am, at Karolinska Institutet, writing this very blog from the comfort of my room at KI Housing.

An offer of admission means that you now must secure housing, which is precisely why me and my fellow bloggers have decided to start this series to address some of the most common options that we have as Master students. Since I’m an international student living at KI housing, consider this blog mostly a call to fee-paying students.

How to apply and who’s eligible

As soon as you are admitted to any of KI’s Global Master Programmes, you can then apply to KI Housing as an international student, as this particular accommodation is guaranteed for this category of student (hey, who would’ve thought not having that EU passport we all dream of would be convenient?). That said, I would advise you to apply as soon as you get your offer as places are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. I applied two days after receiving my results so I got a good spot on the application queue.  

Types of accommodation: KI Residence Solna and KI Residence Fleminsberg

KI Housing offers several options when it comes to housing, each with different price ranges and accommodation types. For instance, there’s KI Residence Fleminsberg on the Fleminsberg campus offering fully furnished shared apartments between 3 or 4 people, private studios with private kitchen and bathroom, as well as family apartments. There’s a shuttle that runs daily on weekdays between KI’s two campuses, taking around 35 minutes, making it convenient even if most of your classes are in Solna.

On the other hand, there’s KI Residence Solna on the Solna campus, and they offer similar options: fully furnished shared apartments between 2 or 4 people, private studios with private kitchen and bathroom, and private studios with private bathroom and shared kitchen.  I’m currently living at KI Residence Solna in a shared 2-bedroom apartment (more on this later), and my commute amounts to a whopping 5-minute walk to Widerstromska, home of the global public health department.

Types of accommodation: Pax and Strix

Then we have more classic, dorm-style buildings (Pax and Strix) that offer small rooms with private bathrooms and shared kitchen and corridors. Located in Solna, they are convenient for social life and bonding, and they’re also a short 20-minute bus ride away from the main Solna campus. I personally preferred the options at KI Residence Solna, and by applying as soon as possible I was able to secure my current apartment.

In short

KI Housing offers the best alternative for incoming fee-paying Master students as it is convenient, affordable, it offers great locations and a very nice environment. Make sure to submit your application as soon as possible and read the instructions clearly so you can get your cozy new home! That said, stay tuned for a more in-depth post specifically on KI Residence Solna, where I’m currently living, and where I’ll be describing what it’s like to live there. See you soon!