KAROLINSKA INSTITUTEt
Student life at KI
At Karolinska Institutet, student life is naturally integrated into everyday life, especially at the beginning of the semester when campus buzzes with energy and activities. There’s something for everyone, and how much you choose to get involved is entirely up to you.
For those who want to participate, there’s a wide range of opportunities within student unions, chapters, and various interest associations. You’ll find everything from traditional student events to new, unique experiences—all with Stockholm’s vibrant urban environment as an extra dimension. Student life at KI offers the perfect blend of community and big-city opportunities!
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The Student Unions
At Karolinska Institutet, there are two student unions that help create a vibrant and engaging student life. In addition, there are chapters that focus on students within different departments.
Both the unions and the chapters organize a wide range of social and academic activities—from welcome weeks and study spaces to trips, pub nights, formal dinners, and much more.
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Student Pubs at KI
At Karolinska Institutet, you can go to a student pub on Fridays primarily!
Most pub nights are run by the student unions, but also by the social committees of the chapters. It’s a perfect way to meet people, have fun, and become part of student life! -
Interest-based associations
An interest-based association is a student group where members gather around a shared interest – anything from sports and music to gaming or culture. It’s a great opportunity to share your passions, learn new things, and build a strong community with like-minded people.
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MF's Chapters
MF’s chapters are the heart of student life, organizing a wide range of social and traditional student activities. From welcoming new students during the reception period to hosting pub nights, trips, banquets, balls, game nights, sports activities, and much more. You’ll find everything from study groups to book clubs – something for every interest.
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A student union is much more than just an organization – it's a community created by students, for students. With union status comes an important mission: to advocate for students' rights and ensure your voice is heard in dialogue with the university. The union supports you by monitoring education quality and organizing activities such as orientation weeks, pub nights, trips, and formal balls.
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At Karolinska Institutet, a chapter is part of a student union and gathers students from a specific program or department. Chapters foster a sense of community and organize activities such as welcome weeks, pub nights, sports, game nights, and book clubs – all to make student life more fun and engaging.
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An interest-based association is a student organization where members come together around a shared passion – such as sports, music, culture, or gaming. These associations host tournaments, concerts, workshops, and social gatherings, offering great opportunities to meet like-minded people and form lasting friendships.
FAQ
Student Unions and Chapters
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Odontologiska Föreningen
The Student Union for Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Students
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Odontologiska Föreningen (OF) is one of the student unions at Karolinska Institutet.
OF is Sweden’s oldest dental student union and works to protect and promote students’ interests. They organize sports days, game nights, the Spring Ball, formal dinners, Wednesday and Friday pub nights, company lectures, and the annual career fair.
KÅRRIDOREN
Alfred Nobels Allé 8
141 52 Huddinge
Stop: Flemingsberg -
Medicinska Föreningen
The Largest Student Union at Karolinska Institutet
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Medicinska Föreningen (MF) is one of the student unions at Karolinska Institutet.
MF works daily to make your time at KI as rewarding as possible. The union monitors education at KI to ensure high quality and student well-being across all programs.
We offer everything from pub nights and formal dinners to sports events, seminars, student theatre, elections, social dancing, and more.
CAMPUS SOLNA - KÅRHUSET
Nobels väg 10
171 65 Solna
Stop: Karolinska InstitutetCAMPUS FLEMINGSBERG - KÅRRIDOREN
Alfred Nobels Allé 8
141 52 Huddinge
Stop: Flemingsberg -
Occupational Therapy Section (Artemis)
The Chapter for Occupational Therapy Students
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The Occupational Therapy Chapter (Artemis) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
Artemis organizes several events each semester, such as a welcome camp for new students and an end-of-semester fika. The chapter also discusses educational concerns and shares experiences with other chapters and MF. Artemis is here for you!
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The Audiology Section
The Chapter for Audiology Students
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The Audiology Chapter is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
The chapter works with student health, education development, and social activities. We organize various events throughout the semester for all chapter members to enjoy. The chapter also addresses potential issues in the program and shares experiences with other chapters within MF.
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Biomedical Laboratory Science Section
The Chapter for Biomedical Laboratory Science and Cytology Students
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The Biomedical Laboratory Science Chapter (BAS) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
The chapter focuses on education, student life, and internationalization. Together, we work to make your time in the Biomedical Laboratory Science program and the Master’s Programme in Diagnostic Cytology as rewarding and enjoyable as possible!
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Biomedical Educational Section
Medicinska föreningens sektion för studenter inom biomedicin, toxikologi, molekylära tekniker och nutritionsvetenskap
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Biomedicinska Utbildningssektionen (BUS) är en del av Medicinska Föreningen
BUS huvudsakliga fokus är att samla studenter och diskutera frågor som rör utbildning och den pedagogiska utvecklingen i programmen. Studentens intresse gentemot KI i allmänhet representeras också genom representation i beslutsfattande kommittéer vid universitetsinstitutionerna. Sektionen organiserar också evenemang och sociala aktiviteter för sektionsmedlemmarna under året. Våra senaste evenemang har involverat allt från middagar och evenemang på campus, helger på Solvik till deltagande i den nationella brännbollsturneringen, Bio-bollen.
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Doctoral Students’ Association
Doctoral Students’ Association
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The Doctoral Students’ Association (DSA) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
DSA works to improve the situation for doctoral students at Karolinska Institutet (KI), focusing on supervision, education, salaries, work environment, and other important aspects.
We are the largest chapter within MF, representing all doctoral students at KI – approximately 2,200 members.
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Public Health Section
The Public Health Section (PHS) is part of Medicinska Föreningen and represents students in the following programs: Public Health Sciences, Health Informatics, Health Economics, Policy and Management, Bioentrepreneurship, Global Health, and Disaster Response Health.
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The Public Health Section (PHS) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
PHS organizes gatherings and events for its members – including welcome activities for new students and other events that bring students together. The chapter board, with members from all included programs, meets about once a month to update each other on what’s happening in the different programs and to discuss education-related issues. All members are more than welcome to attend our meetings and events!
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Physical Therapy Section
Medicinska Föreningens chapter for students in the Physical Therapy program
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The Physical Therapy Section (Fysio) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
Fysio actively works to improve the program and strives to ensure that all students thrive and feel good during their studies. The section promotes strong connections and communication across terms. To support this, it organizes parties and fun activities like pub nights, beer pong tournaments, strength competitions, and more for all students in the program. Fysio also collaborates with the physical therapists’ union to connect students with the labor market.
Fysio is the link between the students and the program!
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Medical Students’ Section
Medicinska Föreningens chapter for students in the Medical Program
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The Medical Students’ Section (LS) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
LS’s primary mission is educational advocacy. It represents all medical students in matters related to education and appoints student representatives to every body where students are entitled to representation.
In addition to advocacy, LS organizes social activities such as orientation events, banquets, and pub crawls, and competes against other Swedish medical schools in the annual Medicinar-SM tournament.
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Logopedsektionen
Medicinska Föreningens chapter for students in the Speech and Language Pathology program
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The Speech and Language Pathology Section (LoS) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
LoS primarily works with educational advocacy. The section represents all speech and language pathology students in academic matters and appoints student representatives to all relevant university bodies. LoS also addresses student health, educational development, and much more.
LoS organizes fun events like summer picnics and study groups. The section also has an exchange program with speech and language pathology students at Åbo Akademi in Finland, where they take turns hosting themed parties in each country!
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Optometry Section (Kaustika)
Medicinska Föreningens chapter for students in the Optometry program, the Master’s program in Clinical Optometry, and standalone optometry courses
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The Optometry Section (Kaustika) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
Kaustika works to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students in the field of optometry. The section addresses academic concerns, arranges social events, pub nights, and organizes introductory activities for new students each year.
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Psychology Section (PsyKI)
Medicinska Föreningens chapter for students in the Psychology program
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The Psychology Section (PsyKI) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
PsyKI organizes a variety of social activities such as parties, welcome events, and pub nights. The goal is to foster connections across class years and enrich the student experience. It also serves as a forum for discussing new ideas and proposing improvements to the program, which are then brought to the Psychology Program Council.
At PsyKI, students have a strong voice in shaping their education and the activities that bring them together.
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Nursing Section
Medicinska Föreningens chapter for students in the nursing programs and the midwifery program
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The Nursing Section (SSEK) is part of Medicinska Föreningen.
SSEK focuses on educational matters, student well-being, and internationalization related to the programs represented by the chapter. Its mission is to promote the collective interests of its members and to foster strong camaraderie within the chapter – in short, to make sure Baluns and community thrive!
Student pubs require association membership!
Student pubs are different from regular pubs and nightclubs—they usually require you to be a member of a specific student union, section, or association to get in.
In other words, you can’t just walk into any student pub you like.
Sometimes, you might be allowed entry if you come as a guest of a member or if the pub maintains a guest list.
It’s always a good idea to check with the pub in advance to see what applies.
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In Sweden, there are strict alcohol laws that regulate when, where, how, and to whom alcohol can be served. To sell alcohol, a venue needs a special license called a serveringstillstånd.
Student pubs have such licenses, but unlike regular pubs or nightclubs, many are only allowed to serve a “closed group” with a defined membership. Most student pubs define this group as members of a particular student union, section, or association.
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Check the website of the student union, section, or association you want to join. Most require that you're enrolled in a course at the university to become a full member.
If you don’t meet the membership criteria, you might still be able to visit a pub if they allow guests via the +1 rule or have a guest list. It’s up to each pub to decide. If you are eligible, it’s a good idea to become a member a few days before visiting, to avoid issues at the door.
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In most cases, no. Student pubs are usually open only to members of specific unions, sections, or associations due to alcohol license rules that limit service to a closed group.
However, there are some exceptions:
+1 rule – Some pubs allow one guest per member.
Guest list – Some pubs have a list where non-members can sign up in advance.
Open events – Occasionally, some pubs open their doors to all students, but this is rare.
Always check with the pub in advance, as the rules differ depending on the organizer and the night.
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+1 means you’re the personal guest of a member. You come as their sole guest and are temporarily included in the closed group.
Each pub sets its own policy on whether +1s are allowed. Making friends from other programs can increase your chances of visiting different pubs beyond your “home pub.” If not, the guest list might be an alternative.
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Some pubs offer a guest list where outside students can sign up in advance. This temporarily makes you part of the defined group allowed to enter.
It’s entirely up to each pub whether or not they offer a guest list—and you must sign up before the pub opens.
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Rules vary. Each student union, section, or association sets their own policies. Some pubs are completely closed to non-members, while others allow +1s, guest lists, or special event access.
Here’s how to find out:
Check the pub’s or association’s social media
Message the pub directly (DM)
Ask a friend who’s a member
Remember: It’s always the organizer who decides who gets in.
Student Pubs at Karolinska Institutet
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MF PrU
Medicinska Föreningens Programutskott
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Medicinska Föreningen’s Program Committee (MF PrU) is Medicinska Föreningen’s event-planning arm
Medicinska Föreningens’ party-makers, we love organizing large parties and events. We in PrU are the ones who host the Medicinska Föreningen’s traditional events such as the Lucia Ball where Nobel laureates make an appearance, the Amphiox Gasque for new and returning students at the start of each term, and the Graduation After-Party at the end of each term.
Besides the larger recurring events, we also organize several smaller parties, as well as the Friday Pub, which takes place every Friday from 17:00 to 22:00 in the Student Union House’s basement pub. Come as you are, or as you want to be.
FRIDAY PUB
Frequency: Weekly
Age limit: 18 years
Entry: Membership in the Medical Association or contact MF
Stop: Karolinska InstitutetSTUDENT UNION HOUSE
Nobels väg 10
171 65 Solna -
OF Pru
Odontologiska Föreningen’s Program Committee
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Odontologiska Föreningen’s Program Committee (OF PrU) is Odontologiska Föreningen’s event-planning arm
OF PrU organizes social events such as the spring ball, sittnings, Wednesday and Friday pubs and much more besides
Contact OF PrU via Facebook to apply for membership!
FRIDAY PUB
Frequency: Weekly
Age limit: 18 years
Entry: Membership in the Odontological Association, the Medical Association or a +1 to a member
Stop: FlemingsbergROTFYLLAN
Alfred Nobels Allé 8
141 52 Huddinge
Stop: Flemingsberg