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Entry requirements for Embedded Systems

To be eligible for the master's programme in Embedded Systems, 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 if 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 Embedded Systems

A Bachelor's degree, corresponding to 180 ECTS credits, in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, information and communication technology or equivalent, including:

  • Courses in mathematics corresponding to at least 30 ECTS credits. The following subjects must be included among the mathematics courses: calculus in one variable, calculus in several variables, linear algebra, mathematical statistics.
  • Courses corresponding to at least 60 ECTS credits in one or more of the areas of microelectronics, electronics, computer engineering, computer science.
  • Course in programming corresponding to at least 6 ECTS credits (preferably C/C++).
  • Course in computer engineering/computer architecture corresponding to at least 6 ECTS credits.
  • Basic insights into digital design/digital technology, either via the computer engineering/computer architecture course or a separate course.

Within the programme's tracks, there may be courses with additional requirements. The requirements are stated under the heading "Specific prerequisites" in the course syllabus. Examples include the following:

  • The Embedded Software track contains courses that also require the following prior knowledge: Algorithms and data structures.
  • The Embedded Platforms track contains courses that also require the following prerequisites: Course in digital design/digital technology of at least 6 ECTS credits (in addition to the course in computer engineering/computer architecture).
  • The Embedded Electronics track contains mandatory courses that also require the following prerequisites: Course in digital design/digital technology of at least 6 ECTS credits (in addition to the course in computer engineering/computer architecture), signals and systems, electric circuits, analogue electronics.

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

Summary sheet

Submit the summary sheet for Embedded systems , available via the link when the application is open. If you do not submit a complete summary sheet, it will negatively affect your evaluation score. Fill out all of the required information before submitting the form. For questions regarding the summary sheet, please contact the programme coordinator  directly.

Selection criteria

The selection process is based on the following criteria: Study results (grades, relevant subjects, prerequisites and English), motivation for studies (motivation letter, references, relevant work experience and other merits such as publication/patent, scholarship holder, best paper/presentation award etc.) and prior education. Prior education is evaluated based on the quality and suitability of the subjects that are relevant for the programme applied to. For international prior education, university ranking is also part of the merit rating. The merit rating is carried out on a scale of 1-75.

Acceptance rate

The acceptance rate for the master's programme in Embedded Systems for 2024 was 19 %. We admitted 90 students out of the 486 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 .