Application and admission

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Application timeline

• October 1 - Application opens
  

• November 15 - Early application deadline (at 23:59 CET)
  

  You may apply by this deadline if you have all the required documents and have taken the required tests. Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis, and selected candidates will receive an invitation to an interview / the assessment event by the end of December.

• January 15 - General application deadline (at 23:59 CET)

  This is the last day to submit your application. Late applications are not accepted. By the beginning of February, you will be informed whether you have progressed to the next round and are invited to an interview / the assessment event.

• Mid-February - Interview / Assessment event

• March 15 - Notification regarding the results of the selection

 

Application requirements

1. Bachelor's degree

A Bachelor's degree in any field of studies with at least 30 ECTS credits in Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, or Quantitative Methods (credits may be combined across these areas), or equivalent.

Applicants who do not fully meet this requirement may still be considered if they can demonstrate quantitative proficiency through academic coursework, standardized test results, or relevant professional experience.

Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s program are welcome to apply and must upload a document listing the remaining courses in their degree.

2. Proof of proficiency in English

We accept the following as proof of English proficiency:

• IELTS Academic (test center-based or online): minimum score 7

• TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition: minimum total score 100

• CAE: minimum grade B

• BEC: minimum grade B

• CPE: minimum grade C

• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE): minimum score 68

Exemption from the English test requirement is granted to applicants who have:

• English as their native language

• A Bachelor degree from a program conducted entirely in English

• “English 6” from Swedish upper secondary school

• Upper secondary education under the International Baccalaureate curriculum

 

3. GMAT or GRE test result if available

The score is not required but is taken into consideration if submitted. There is no minimum requirement.

4. Motivation and supporting documents

• Describe your reasons for applying to the program (maximum 500 words).

• Submit a brief CV highlighting recent achievements (one page; no specific format required). Relevant work experience and extracurricular activities will be considered.

• Short video introduction (highly recommended):
  Record a video (maximum 60 seconds) explaining why you want to study at SSE. You can upload the file or share a link.

• Up to two references (highly recommended):
  Submit preferably a combination of academic and professional references (if available). Only contact details are required. You may submit your application while waiting for references.

The video and references are not formal requirements, but we highly recommend including them to strengthen your application.

5. Possible interview/assessment center event

If you pass the first selection, we might invite you to an interview/assessment center event that is focused on assessing your commitment to public service, leadership potential, analytical skills, and career alignment with the program’s focus on public service careers. Such an interview also offers, naturally, an occasion for you to ask questions about the program and how it could match your career goals.

How to apply in five easy steps

Step 1: Find the program you are interested in

SSE offers six MSc programs. A full list is available here. All programs are two-year, full-time programs conducted in English.

Studying is full-time, and it is not recommended to combine studies with other demanding activities. To ensure your application is credible and well researched, focus on the program that genuinely interests you. If you are unsure which program suits you best, contact us and we will be happy to help.

If you apply to several programs, you must submit a separate application for each. You can only be admitted to one program, so make sure to list your preferences clearly in each application.

 

Step 2: Meet the entry requirements

Unlike the other Master programs at SSE, the Master program in Public Policy does not require a GMAT or GRE test score. However, you are encouraged to submit a score if you have taken the test and if your GMAT or GRE results strengthen your application. Make sure to meet all application requirements, including a Bachelor's degree, motivation for a career in public service, policy governance, or societal impact, and proof of proficiency in English.

 

Step 3: Upload all required documents and complete the online application

Applications are submitted through SSE's online application portal and are free of charge.

If you apply to more than one program, you must submit a separate application for each. Make sure your program preferences are consistent across applications, as we need to know which program you prioritize.

You can save your application and return to it later. Submit your application only when all required information and documents have been provided. No changes can be made after submission.

Make sure to apply before the deadline. Late applications are not accepted.

 

Step 4: Interview / Assessment event

If you pass the initial selection, you will be invited to an interview / assessment event. The assessment also provides an opportunity to ask questions about the program and how it aligns with your career goals.

 

Step 5: Admission decision

We conduct a holistic assessment of all complete applications. We consider your previous studies, grades, optional GMAT or GRE scores, English proficiency, CV, and motivation.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, as places are limited and competition is high.

If you apply by November 15 and your application is complete and selected to proceed, you will receive an invitation to the assessment event by the end of December. If you are assessed as a qualified applicant but not selected in the first round, your application will automatically be considered in the second round, and you may receive an invitation by the beginning of February. Final decisions will be communicated in mid-March, and all applicants will be notified by email.

Applicants in their final year of their Bachelor's program may receive a conditional offer. They must complete their degree before the start of the MSc program and submit all final documents by August 20.

Due to the confidentiality of the admissions process, we do not provide feedback on rejected applications.

Get in touch with us

If you have specific questions about our MSc programs, the different program components or the application process, you are welcome to contact the MSc admissions team.

You can also connect with our current students via the chat platform Unibuddy to learn more about their experiences at SSE. Start chatting!