I Got Admitted to KTH! – Here’s What I Did Next

Congratulations on your admit! 🎉

I know, I know—you probably have a million questions right now and a whole mix of emotions: excitement, happiness, and maybe even a little anxiety. That’s totally normal! I was in your shoes about two years ago when I found out I had been admitted to KTH. I still remember the pure joy of sharing the news with my family.

But soon after that joy came the flood of thoughts like, “Can I really do this?” and “How do I afford this?” There didn’t seem to be a clear guide on what to do next, how long everything would take, or even where to start. Looking back, I realise that I worried way more than necessary—because help was available every step of the way.

Let me walk you through what I did after getting admitted. Trust me, you’re not alone in this!

Help is available!

Let’s get this one out of the way first, because I’ll be referring to this throughout: you’re never alone during this process. The best place to begin is the New at KTH website—it’s a goldmine of information for newly admitted students.

At different stages, I reached out for help in different ways:

• Goin’ app: You’ll get an invite link via email/newsletter—this helped me connect with other newly admitted students.
• LinkedIn: Great for finding current students and alumni from KTH.
• Email: I contacted [email protected] for formal queries and document requests—they’re super responsive.

Soon after admission results are out, you’ll also receive emails from current students through the Connect with a KTH student project. This was a fantastic opportunity for me to get personal advice from someone in my programme.

If you’re looking for more ways to contact students or ambassadors, I highly recommend reading this blog post: Get in Touch with KTH!

Figuring out the finances

This was the first major question I had: How much is this going to cost me?
As a tuition-fee-paying student, I had to plan for both tuition and living expenses. I initially wanted to apply for a loan, and my bank required a certificate from KTH showing the total cost of studies. I emailed [email protected], and they sent me the certificate right away.

The invoice is usually available within a week after admission, and the payment deadline is 31 May—so you’ll want to act fast.

To apply for a residence permit, tuition needs to be paid first. Even though the Swedish Migration Agency requires proof of 10,314 SEK per month in your bank account, the realistic amount you’ll need can vary. To get an idea, check out this post with real student budgets (including mine!): Cost of living and student budget

Timeline for Residence Permit

After paying my tuition fee, applying for the residence permit was pretty straightforward. I uploaded a few documents and a bank statement showing I could support myself during my studies. I applied in the last week of April from India.

Shortly after applying, I got an email from the Swedish Embassy in Delhi to get my passport verified and biometrics recorded. I had to travel to New Delhi for this, but the process itself was smooth. My permit was granted quickly, and the residence permit card arrived in about 4 weeks. So by June, I had everything ready to go!

Apply as soon as possible to avoid delays. The timeline can vary by country, so it’s helpful to talk to other students applying from your region.

Finding Accommodation

The first thing I did after getting admitted was sign up at SSSB to start collecting housing queue days.
You can collect up to 90 queue days even before arriving in Sweden! Some of my friends even secured accommodation through SSSB just by submitting their universityadmissions.se results as proof.

That said, I ended up getting housing through KTH Housing, which was super convenient because the rooms came furnished. Applications for KTH Housing usually open at the beginning of May—keep an eye out!

Shopping and Packing

I started planning my packing list early, and I highly recommend doing the same. It gave me time to prioritise, shop at my own pace, and ensure everything fit within the baggage allowance.

Some essentials:

• A laptop
• Warm clothing (you’ll thank yourself later!)
• Spices or food items from home (especially if you’re Indian—trust me on this one!)

One thing I regret is not purchasing some electronics like earphones, a Bluetooth mouse, etc. Gadgets here are expensive compared to back home. I’d suggest doing an online price comparison to decide what’s worth bringing vs. buying here.

Also, check for student discounts or extra baggage allowances with airlines before booking your ticket!

Dealing with Anxieties

Leaving my job in India and stepping into the unknown wasn’t easy. I kept asking myself—Am I making the right decision? What are the job prospects after KTH? Will I be able to keep up academically after 5 years away from studies?

These worries are normal. I reached out to students with similar backgrounds and that helped calm my nerves. What helped most, though, was believing in myself. Confidence goes a long way. And looking back now, I’m happy to report—I did just fine at KTH.

This experience has opened up so many doors for me, and it all started with taking that first leap.

Other Things I Did Before Moving

Aside from the logistics and paperwork, I also did a few other things to make the transition smoother and more meaningful:

• Started learning basic Swedish using free apps . It wasn’t about becoming fluent, but picking up everyday words made me feel more prepared (and the Swedes definitely appreciate the effort!).
• Planned some quality time with family and friends before the big move. I knew I’d be away for a while, so I made sure to create some special memories—dinners, day trips, and just spending time together.
• Made a personal Sweden bucket list—things I dreamed of experiencing during my time there. Top of the list? Seeing the Northern Lights—which I was lucky enough to tick off in the first month of my arrival!
• Backed up all important documents and files on both cloud storage and a physical hard drive. From academic records to passport copies, it was a lifesaver to have everything organised in one place.
• Started following Swedish student and expat forums and Instagram accounts to get a feel for the culture, lifestyle, and tips from people already living there. It helped me set realistic expectations and pick up some great hacks.

Final Thoughts

Studying abroad and investing in your future—it’s a big decision and comes with its share of uncertainty. But if you believe in yourself and see this as the opportunity it truly is, you won’t regret coming to KTH.

If you have any questions about the next steps, drop a comment below or reach out through any of the methods I mentioned above. We’re here to help!

/Srikar