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Entry requirements for Architectural Lighting Design

To be eligible for the master's programme in Architectural Lighting Design, you must meet the listed admission requirements and submit the documents required in your application. We will assess your application according to the selection criteria set for the programme. The same process applies to students with a bachelor's degree from a Swedish university.

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree

Academic qualifications from an internationally recognised university equivalent to a Swedish bachelor's degree.

Students in their final year of bachelor's studies can meet the requirement it they follow the instructions from University Admissions . Final-year students at Swedish universities must have completed 150 ECTS credits in their programme by 3 February.

English proficiency

English proficiency equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

You can meet the requirement with an English test, for example an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. Depending on your country of previuous studies you could also meet the requirement through completed upper secondary or university studies. Visit University Admissions  to see all recognised English tests and what applies to your country of previous studies.

Specific requirements for Architectural Lighting Design

A bachelor’s degree, corresponding to at least 180 ECTS credits, in Architecture, Design or Engineering. The Engineering degree must include at least 30 ECTS credits of Architecture and Design subjects. Exceptions can be made on the basis of professional experience.

In addition, a portfolio that demonstrates your capacity to use a design approach to find solutions for a specific question, is required.

Application documents

You need to submit all of the following documents according to the instructions from University Admissions .

General document

Degree certificates

Official certificates of your completed degrees. The documentation requirements vary between countries. Visit University Admissions  to see what applies to your country.

General document

Transcript

Official transcript of courses and grades completed in your degree. Students from Swedish universities that use Ladok do not need to submit degree certificates or transcripts. 

General document

Proof of English proficiency

What proof you need depends on whether you meet the requirement through a test or previous studies. Visit University Admissions  to see what applies to you.

General document

Identification

A copy of passport with personal data and photograph, or other identification document.

Programme document

CV

KTH does not require a standard template, but the CV should clearly and concisely outline your education, work experience, computer literacy, qualifications and achievements (awards, publications, expertise knowledge and skills, etc.). It must be written in English.

Programme document

Letter of motivation

The letter of motivation explains why you have chosen this programme at KTH, what you hope to gain from it and how your interests and skills will help you succeed in your studies. Include an autobiography with the development and relevance of your academic and professional pursuits, extra-curricular activities and related experiences. KTH does not require a standard template, but it must be in English and less than 500 words. If you apply to multiple programmes that require a letter of motivation, you should submit one for each and state which programme each letter applies to at the top of the page.

Programme document

Letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation describing why you are the right choice for admission. Preferably, have one referee from an academic environment and one from a professional setting. If you apply for multiple programmes at KTH that request letters of recommendation, you may use the same letters for several programmes. You must provide an English translation if the letters are in a different language. The letters must have the referees' full contact details. If your referee wants to submit the letter themselves, they must send it by post to University Admissions  and state your name and application number. They can not submit the letter via email.

Programme document

Portfolio

A portfolio according to the following instructions. Please make sure to strictly follow the instructions, otherwise your application will be marked as ineligible. The portfolio is to be uploaded to your application at University Admissions.

  • Format: PDF
  • Size: maximum size of 10 MB, no more than 7 pages + 1 page cover sheet, single-sided, not spreaded.
  • Minimum 2-3 projects, individual or collective.
  • File name: ALD-PORTFOLIO_Name_Surname_Year of application.pdf
  • Content: The portfolio should show proof of your capacity to use a design approach to find solutions for a specific question. The information can be from previous education and/or professional experience and/or personal independent work. The portfolio will be evaluated through these criteria:
    • Design Experience (in Architecture, Engineering, Arts, etc.)
    • And/or Lighting Design Experience
    • Type and level of refinement of the project (e.g. sketches or pictures from observation, visionary idea, concept, realized work, temporary or permanent installation, etc.)
    • Understanding of context (e.g. architectural and social context, conditions, location, history)
    • Layout and Style
  • The projects and material included should be correctly titled and you should:  
    • state when or during which year of the studies or professional career the project was done
    • indicate if the work has been produced by the applicant alone or in collaboration; in the latter case please carefully specify your role in the project.

Selection criteria

The selection process is based on the following criteria:

Previous studies (GPA or previous academic assessment, grades in specific subjects and English), letter of motivation and portfolio. The evaluation scale is 1-75.

Acceptance rate

The acceptance rate for the master's programme in Architectural Lighting Design for 2024 was 65 %. We admitted 41 students out of the 63 applicants that met the admission requirements. To increase your chances of getting admitted to KTH, we advise you to select more than one programme when applying. You can apply for up to four programmes and rank them in your order of preference.

Recognition of prior learning

Suppose you entirely or partially lack a formal requirement for a course or programme, but you believe you have the necessary knowledge to meet the requirement. In that case, you can apply for recognition of prior learning .