Europe's Oldest University? Lund University Rankings, Programmes, and Application Requirements

Lund University ranks among the top one hundred universities globally and is one of the oldest institutions in Europe with an outstanding academic reputation. The university offers a broad range of disciplines, from business management to life sciences, attracting numerous international students to pursue master's degrees. Grove Education will provide an overview of the application process and popular programmes at Lund University, equipping you with firsthand information about this historic institution.

Introduction to Lund University

Founded in 1666, Lund University is located in Lund, southern Sweden, with campuses spread across Lund, Helsingborg, Malmö, and Ljungbyhed. The university currently has approximately 46,000 students, with international students making up 28% of the total, establishing it as one of the leading comprehensive universities in the world [1].

Lund University is renowned for its interdisciplinary research, offering excellent educational quality, and is home to high-quality research centres equipped with world-class facilities for materials research and life sciences. This enables the university to drive innovation and breakthroughs in global issues such as disease prevention, energy technology, climate change, and social sustainability.

Lund University Library 

Source: Lund University

Lund University Ranking

In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, Lund University is placed 72nd globally, making it the number one university in Sweden [2]. The university has shown a steady rise in rankings in recent years, reflecting its ongoing improvements in academic and research quality. In addition to the QS rankings, Lund University performs exceptionally well in other international authoritative rankings:

Times Higher Education World University Rankings: 95th [3]
U.S. News: 121st [4]
Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU): 101-150th [5]

Beyond overall rankings, several disciplines at Lund University excel internationally. Its Master’s programme in law has been rated among the top 10 globally by LLM Guide [6], while the Financial Times ranks its Master’s programme in International Strategic Management at 47th, with the business school overall ranking at 68th [7]. Furthermore, in the fields of law and social sciences, Lund University ranks within the top 50 worldwide, demonstrating its interdisciplinary strengths [8].

Introduction to Programmes at Lund University

Lund University comprises nine faculties, covering a wide range of fields including business, engineering, fine arts and performing arts, humanities and theology, law, pharmacy, sciences, and social sciences. Additionally, several institutes and centres focus on diverse specialisations for teaching and research [1].

Bachelor’s Degrees

Lund University offers ten undergraduate programmes, including:

Biomedicine
Development Studies
Economy and Society
Fine Arts
International Business
Mathematics
Music, Folk- and World Music
Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Physics

Master’s Degrees

The master's programmes at Lund University are far more diverse and enriching than the undergraduate offerings, suitable for students wishing to deepen their expertise in professional fields and pursue interdisciplinary integration. The university currently provides over 130 master's degree programmes, including:

Humanities and Social Sciences: Language and Linguistics, Literature, Culture and Media, European and International Trade Tax Law, International Human Rights Law, Development Studies, etc.
Arts and Performance: Music, Fine Arts, Performing Arts
Business and Management: Accounting and Finance, International Marketing and Brand Management, Human Resource and Knowledge Management, International Strategic Management, Data Analytics and Business Economics, etc.
Engineering and Sciences: Mathematics, Architecture, Geology, Computational Physics, Computational Earth Sciences, Synthetic and Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Ecology, etc.
Life Sciences and Health: Psychology, Biomedicine [9].

Lund University Campus 

Source: Shutterstock

Application Requirements for Lund University

Lund University evaluates applicants based on their prior academic performance, quality of written work, personal statements, and proficiency in English; interview performance may also influence admission chances. Below are the application requirements for bachelor's and master's degrees at Lund University:

Bachelor’s Degree Entry Requirements

Students planning to apply for undergraduate programmes at Lund University must meet the following academic and language prerequisites:

Completion of secondary education, qualifying for university admission
For students graduating after 31 December 2009, completion of courses equivalent to Swedish Mathematics 1a, 1b, or 1c
Meeting English language proficiency requirements
Meeting the specified academic background or subject requirements for the chosen programme [10]

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, applicants must also fulfil the additional subject prerequisites and conditions for the specific programme at Lund University. For example, the Biomedicine programme requires specified levels in biology, chemistry, and mathematics [11], while the Physics programme requires proficiency in physics, chemistry, and mathematics [12].

Master’s Degree Entry Requirements

For students preparing to apply for master's programmes, Lund University has established the following basic application thresholds to ensure that admitted students possess the necessary academic capabilities:

A bachelor's degree awarded by a recognised university
Meeting English language proficiency requirements
Meeting the specified academic background or subject requirements for the chosen programme [10]

Most master's programmes at Lund University typically require relevant coursework with specified credit points, and it is recommended that students achieve a strong GPA. For instance, the Accounting and Finance programme requires 90 credits in Business Administration, including courses in corporate finance and accounting, with at least 15 credits in corporate finance [13]. Additionally, students should be familiar with the professional background requirements for their chosen programmes and prepare a persuasive personal statement and recommendation letters.

English Language Proficiency (Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees)

Students who have attended a secondary school where the medium of instruction was English and possess official proof from the institution may be exempt from language requirements. If this is not applicable, applicants to Lund University must provide proof of English language proficiency. Below are the minimum English language requirements for Lund University; some programmes may have higher requirements, and detailed information is available in the course descriptions:

English Test	Required Score (Swedish Upper Secondary English 7 / English 3*)	Required Score (Swedish Upper Secondary English 6 / English 2*)
IELTS Academic	7.0, with no less than 6.0 in each component	6.5, with no less than 5.5 in each component
TOEFL iBT	100, with a minimum of 20 in writing	90, with a minimum of 20 in writing
Cambridge C1 Advanced	200, or obtaining the Cambridge Advanced Certificate	180, or obtaining the Cambridge Advanced Certificate
Pearson PTE Academic	68, with 61 in writing	62, with 61 in writing [14]

* English 7 and English 3 are equivalent courses; English 6 and English 2 are equivalent courses.

To increase the likelihood of a successful application to Lund University, it is advisable to undertake English proficiency tests in advance to ensure a smooth application process and enhance competitiveness.

Lund University Application Timeline and Process

Applications to Lund University must be completed through the Swedish national application website, Universityadmissions.se. The application period for international students runs from mid-October to 15 January each year, with varying deadlines for some programmes; it is recommended to check the specific dates on the programme website. Below are the main steps for applying to Lund University [15]:

Register an account on universityadmissions.se
Select programmes based on the level of study; master's students can apply for up to four different programmes, while undergraduate students may apply for up to eight, listing their preferences in order [16].
Prepare and upload all necessary application documents, which must be submitted by the deadline and meet official requirements, including [17]:

Academic transcripts, graduation certificates, and other official educational documents
Proof of English language proficiency
A copy of the passport
Current university transcript and enrolment confirmation (applicable to final-year undergraduate students applying for a master's programme)
Other documents required by the programme, such as CV, recommendation letters, personal statement, etc. (applicable to master's applications)
Application fee of 900 Swedish Krona [18]

Lund University Campus 

Source: Lund University

Contact Grove Education: Unlock Your Future at Sweden’s Top University

Lund University attracts students from around the world with its excellent global ranking and master’s programmes. Understanding the admission requirements and processes for various disciplines can enhance your chances of acceptance and smooth your study abroad journey. We invite you to contact Grove Education, our professional consulting team has extensive experience and resources to address all your queries regarding Lund University rankings, programme selection, or the application process, helping you realise your dream of studying in Sweden.