Don’t Make This Mistake! How to Rank Your Programmes on University Admissions

One of the most common mistakes students make is forgetting to rank their programme selections on University Admissions! In Sweden, the application process is centralized, so you can apply to up to 4 (for master’s admissions) or 8 (for bachelor’s) programmes in one place. This is super convenient, but can also lead to some confusion about ranking your selections. Here’s a step-by-step guide to break down what ranking is, why it’s important, and how to rank your selections.

What does it mean to rank your selections?

Ranking your selections gives you the opportunity to prioritize the programmes you are applying to. You’ll rank them in order of your preference. In other words, your first choice programme will be ranked 1 at the top, while your last choice will be ranked at the bottom.

Your ranking is very important! You will only be accepted into one programme. So, your application will first be evaluated for your highest-ranked selection. As long as you meet the entry requirements and there is a place available, you will be offered a spot in the programme. If you are accepted into the programme that is (intentionally or accidentally) ranked first, all other lower-ranked programmes will be deleted. The ranking is also important because if you aren’t offered a place in your first choice, you will then be evaluated for your second choice, and so on. Your rankings can play a significant role in where you end up, so make sure to rank your programmes before the deadline!

Step 1. Carefully consider how to prioritize your selections

Once you’ve found the programmes you’re interested in, I would recommend doing additional research. Look into the programme itself— the courses involved, the faculty, the length of the programme, etc. Also consider the location of the university. Some cities have a distinctly student feel, like Lund, while others are bigger cities, like Stockholm. Just think about the type of experience you’re looking for— educationally, personally, and socially. Another consideration could be the weather! If winter is your favorite season and you’re dying to see the northern lights, the north of Sweden might be for you. In contrast, southern Sweden tends to have comparatively mild winters. Overall, just try to consider each programme holistically, based on what is important to you!

Step 2. Add your final programmes to your selections

After you finalize the programmes you will be applying to, click “My Selection” at the top right corner. From there, you can find programmes by searching, scrolling through, or using the relevant filters. Each programme has a blue box in the bottom left corner that says “Select.” Once you click select, the text will change to “Remove” and your “My Selection” icon will update with your total number of selections. Keep going until you’ve selected all the programmes you wish to apply to!

Step 3. Time to rank your selections!

Now it’s time for the fun part! Click “My Selection” again, and all of your selected programmes will be listed there. Double check that you didn’t miss any or click the wrong programme! Once you’re ready, click the green button that says “Start Application.” University Admissions will then take you to a page to prioritize your selections. All of your selected programmes will be listed, with default numbers on the left side. These numbers correspond to that programme’s ranking. On the right side, you will see up and down arrows. To rank a program higher, you click the up button. To rank a program lower, click the down button. There is also a red X icon next to each programme, which allows you to delete a programme.

Step 4. Double check for accuracy, and submit your application

Again, make sure to double check your ranking before you submit your application. When you continue to the next page of the application, your ranking selections will display again. So you have a few opportunities to make sure your ranking matches your intentions! Once you have answered the application questions and confirmed your ranking, you’re ready to hit submit. Congratulations, you’ve applied to study in Sweden!

Can I change my rankings after I’ve submitted my application?

Good news! If you change your mind, you have until the application deadline to change your ranking order. This is definitely an advantage to applying early! That way, you have plenty of time to alter your rankings before the deadline, if needed.

What about after the application deadline?

Altering your rankings after the application deadline is NOT recommended. However, it is technically possible. The only way to change the ranking order is to delete the programmes and add them back to your application with a different ranking, or to add new programmes and place them in the ranking order. But it is important to note that these altered or added programmes are considered a late application. They will only be evaluated if there are still places remaining after admissions selection. If you do decide to go this route, make sure that your programmes have the status “Open for late application” in the course search. If they are not open for late application, deleting the programme means you will not be able to add it back. This could potentially jeopardize your chances of getting into your desired programme, so think carefully before you delete and reorder any programmes.

You’re ready to rank your programmes and apply to study in Sweden!

Now you know everything there is to know about ranking your programme selections! Remember to carefully consider your rankings, as these play a huge role in which programme you end up in! While you can’t go wrong with any of Sweden’s amazing higher education programmes, you still want to be sure that your rankings reflect your top choices. If you need more information about ranking, I also recommend checking out University Admissions’ helpful guides — for both bachelor’s applicants and master’s applicants.