Stockholm School of Economics tightened admission requirements after concerns about grade inflation. The prestigious business school wanted to ensure students had sufficient knowledge. They now require a minimum score of 1.25 on Sweden's standardized university entrance exam. Only about one-fifth of test-takers nationwide achieve this level.
The school acted after reports that some high schools gave unjustifiably high grades. Officials said universities must be able to trust the fairness of grading systems. They strengthened requirements for two bachelor's programs to maintain standards.
Now an analysis reveals unexpected consequences. The proportion of qualified applicants dropped by 44% compared to 2024. Women saw the largest decline among eligible candidates. The share of female admits decreased substantially after the policy change.
What does this mean for educational equality in Sweden? The school stands alone with this specific admission requirement among Swedish universities. Application interest remained strong despite fewer qualified candidates.
This situation highlights how well-intentioned policy changes can have unintended effects on gender balance in higher education.