Student blogs

Are you considering applying to the Master’s Programme in Molecular Techniques in Life Sciences? Or are you currently in the middle of applying? If the answer is yes, then this blog might be of use to you. There is about approximately one month left in the application cycle but everyone is on different timelines. No matter which step of the application you are currently in right now, below will be some questions to ask yourself, along with some answers that can help you with matters you might have missed.

Is this programme the right fit for you?

Take some time to explore the programme. I recommend checking out the course offerings and explore some of the research lab pages at SciLifeLab to learn more about the type of research conducted here. There are interviews with current and past students for you to understand more about the structure of the programme, their opinions and their own experiences. Having a student perspective can also help to shape your perspective as prospective student. KTH also hosted a webinar recorded for you to watch at anytime so do check out some of those resources.

Of course, the primary feature of the programme is the joint collaboration between three schools. Therefore, I strongly urge you to explore the official websites of KI, SU and KTH. You will have at least one semester at each of the schools. Outside of the official webpages, you can check out social media pages, youtube videos, and even student blogs as the one you are reading now. There are many avenues of information and triple the usual as it is a joint programme so there is a lot to take in. If you have questions specifically on studying MTLS, feel free to write me an email as well.

Overall, through taking the time to understand the programme itself, you can better find your motivations and reasoning for applying. This way, as you progress through the rest of the stages, you have a strong foundation to push you forward and aid you in the process of writing.

What are the entry requirements?

This is the first step in the official application process. As this is a joint programme, there is a single school that is administratively responsible for the programme: KTH. Head over to the KTH programme webpage to find detailed descriptions of the entry requirements. Particularly check out the English requirements and the subject requirements. I personally was unsure about what a “Life Science” and “Mathematics” requirement entails. Thus, I strongly suggest that you reach out to the admissions office for clarification.

What are the required documents?

It is very important to read these very carefully! Each country of nationality, and even country of study will determine the documents that are required for the application. Personally, I studied my Bachelor’s in Singapore but I am from Jamaica so I had to find combinations of requirements for English and my Undergraduate documents that fit the criteria.

Another advice is to ensure that your documents are officially issued. When I was applying, I had to make sure I received a signed and stamped copy of my official transcript in Singapore while I was in Jamaica and not the online verifiable link.

Finally, one important aspect of the application is the summary sheet. It is here where you will write your motivation statement. There is a very limited character count so do write concisely and carefully. My own advice is to write down the thoughts you made while exploring the programme. Write a draft without considering the word count and revise, revise, revise!

What are some scholarships?

If you are a non-EU student, such as myself, you have to pay the full tuition for the programme. However, there are some scholarships you can consider. Firstly, fee-paying students can apply to the KTH scholarship. My personal advice, is to look through the selection criteria that is listed out on the webpage and read some past recipient’s interviews for you to understand the process better.

Another scholarship that you may be eligible for is the Swedish Institute scholarship. They offer scholarships to citizens of a certain list of countries so I encourage you to check if you fulfill that criteria.

Where do I apply?

While the admission process for the MTLS is handled by KTH, the application process itself goes through UniversityAdmission.se. Unlike in some other countries where universities have their own admissions portal, the universities in Sweden use a centralized portal. If you are simultaneously considering other programmes in KI, you will also be applying here! At first this system was unfamiliar to me which created some confusion; however, you eventually can become a university admissions pro. Some questions, such as certain document requirements may even need to be directed to universityadmission.se instead. So, do create an account and familiarize yourself with the website!

When is the deadline?

Officially, the deadline is January 15^th 2025 for this cycle. However, as you would have read in many places, do not wait until the last minute! Aside from the time needed to write a stellar motivation letter, you will need some time to gather all the required documents. During my application attempt, I received a notice that one of my documents did not match the criteria for the official document. Luckily, I submitted my application prior to the deadline, giving me enough time to supplement the correct document. Thus, give yourself some buffer time in case such obstacles may appear.

Finally, my last words are good luck! I know that this is a stressful period leading up to the deadline. I hope you give yourself some breathers whenever you can and let the jitters go away. If you are interested in some more tips on applying, you can also check out Mina’s post on application tips or if you are considering other programmes in KI as well, check out Wendy’s post on the MBE programme.