Become a student representative

Influence your education and study environment at Karolinska Institutet and help create a better university for all of us. As a student representative, you contribute with the students’ perspectives in discussions and decisions regarding everything from individual elements in your course or program to overall issues that affect the entire university.

You will find all positions at central level and department level on this page and can apply for them. You can also find a link to your section if you are more interested in positions at programme level. Further down you can read more about what it means to be a student representative.

Apply to become a student representative 2026

1. Central level

In the document Description of central postions you can see which positions are currently available and read more about them. Valberedningen prepares the applications for positions at the central level before each new calendar year, and the positions are then elected by Fullmäktige (FuM). Utbildningsrådet prepares the selection of subgroups at the central level and special calls during the term, which are then chosen by the board.

Deadline for the application to 2026 is on the 22th of December

Application form Central level

Elected by FuM

2. Department level

At department level you can influence decisions at the department responsible for your programme or course. Read more about all KI departments here.

At departmental level, there are three types of student representative positions you can apply for. You can be a representative in the education committees & councils, department representative or student safety ombudsperson. Check that the department you choose to apply to (regardless of which position) provides the programme/course you are studying.

Below you can read about the diffrent postions (some of the documents are still in Swedish, we are working on translating them now)

Education committees 

Department representative  

Student safety ombudsperson

Applications for positions at department level are prepared by the chairperson of the Education Council (URO) and the representatives are then eleceted by the Board.

Deadline for the application to 2026 is on the 22th of December

Application form Education committees & Department representatives
Application form Student safety ombud

3. Programme level

Student representatives to programme specific bodies and groups at KI are often elected by the sections boards. Find your section within MF below and find out how the election of student representatives are made in your section. Contact your section if you have any questions! Contact information can be find on each section’s page.

Artemis – Occupational Therapy Section

AS – Audiology section

BAS – Biomedical Laboratory Science Section

BUS – Biomedical Educational Section

DSA – Doctoral Students’ Association

PHS – Public Health Section

Fysio – Physical Therapy Section

LS – Medical Students’ Section

LoS – Speech and Language Pathology Section

Kaustika – Optometry Section

PsyKI – Psychology Section

SSEK – Nursing Section


More information about student representation

Students have the right to be represented when decisions are made or preparation takes place that is important for the education or the students’ situation.
Chapter 2 § 7 of the Higher Education Act (Högskolelagen 1992: 1434).

Being a student representative is one of the most important, enjoyable, and rewarding things you can do during your studies! You also build connections within the university environment and gain valuable experience and skills for your future career.

The student union’s role is to coordinate the students’ voice and appoint student representatives who convey students’ opinions. Medicinska Föreningen (MF) has student representatives in all decision-making and preparatory bodies at Karolinska Institutet (KI), from individual courses and study programs up to KI’s leadership and the Consistory. Through representing its members’ interests, the student union works on issues related to educational quality, equality, discrimination, work environment, and all other matters affecting students.

What does being a student representative entail?

  • You contribute with the student perspective in discussions and decisions in different groupings at KI that affect us students

Being a student representative means that you represent the students’ opinions in a board, committee or other group at KI. This means that you are invited to meetings and participate in discussions and express your perspective as a student on various issues.

Depending on the group and level within KI, the meetings can be of different length and frequency, some groups have several student representatives and in some groups you can be the sole representative. Some student representative positions are remunerated.

What is expected of me?

  • No prior experience needed!
  • You need to be a student at KI and a member of MF
  • Read meeting documents and participate in meetings with KI

No previous experience required! Sometimes there can be several applicants for a position and then it can be an advantage to have previous experience of student representative positions. Some groups at KI may have language requirements, and others may require that you need to study a specific program or course in order to apply for that position.

The requirements set by KI are stated in the Excel files or application forms further up on this page. Documents are sent out in advance before each meeting and you are expected to read these. You are also expected to have contact with the body within MF that has chosen you to the position, in order to report from the meetings and gather opinions from other students.

How do I become a student representative?

  • Apply for positions further up on this page!

You’ll find information about vacant student representative positions at central level and department level further down on this page. In the Excel files/application forms you can read about the positions and any requirements for applying. In the application forms for each level, you apply for positions you are interested in!

Do you want to be a student representative in groups more close to your programme? Contact your section that elects student representatives at programme level. To be able to apply for student representative positions, you need to be a member of the student union. Not a member yet? Become a member here.


Do you have a question about a position or student representation in general? Contact us at [email protected] and we’ll help you!