Skip to main content
To KTH's start page

Increased student completion in chemical engineering programmes

The project examines the reasons for low student completion rates on chemical engineering programmes by looking at data and interviewing students about their experiences and challenges, and proposes actions to improve them.

Project context  

The graduation ratio in the Engineering Chemistry programme (CTKEM) and the Chemical Engineering programme (TIKED) is currently not as high as desired while the number of dropouts is too high. Many programmes at KTH have a comparable situation and the underlying reasons are probably similar for all programmes. Successful results for CTKEM and TIKED can therefore hopefully be applied to other programmes at KTH. 

Purpose (outcome) 

The overall aim is to increase throughput and reduce dropouts in the Master of Science in Engineering Chemistry (CTKEM) and the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (TIKED) programmes,  

Project results (output) 

  • Collected statistics on the throughput (examination/graduation ratios) of programmes and courses and when during the education they drop out  

  • Conducted student interviews and surveys to obtain information on how the students themselves and we teachers can contribute to increased throughput.  

  • Introduced teacher-led/PA-led student meetings during the first semester at TIKED for discussion on e.g.: Study techniques, expectations from KTH, differences between high school and university, etc.  

  • Introduced student-led math labs in courses during the first semester that constitute basic knowledge for future course(s)  

  • Some restructuring of examination elements during the first semester for more continuous assessment and examination (especially in bottleneck courses – courses that constitute specific requirements for future courses)  

  • Implemented recruitment efforts, e.g. search engine optimization, improved websites. 

  • Introduced elements of study techniques early in grade 1  

  • Analysis and follow-up of results (effects on throughput and dropout compared to previous years) 

  • Packaged lessons learnt for dissemination. 

Time plan 

Start date: 2023-06-01
End date: 2027-05-31 

Project documentation

If you have a KTH ID, you can read the latest project documents when logged in.

Integrated lifelong learning (2301-ABE)
Wicked problems in a sustainable context within Built environment (2302-ABE)
The design studio's pedagogical landscape (2303-ABE)
Digital and Continuous Assessment (2304-CBH)
Broadened and Relevant Recruitment for Master's Programmes (2305-CBH)
Increased student completion in chemical engineering programmes (2306-CBH)
Development of second-cycle programme structures and recruitment strategies (2307-CBH)
Master's programme in Sustainable Digitalisation (2311-EECS)
Teacher teams and critical friends (2312-EECS)
Quality and diversity in assessment within programmes (2313-EECS)
Möbius – Technical Foundation Year Södertälje (2314-ITM)
HING in Industrial Engineering with One Entrance and Several Outputs (2315-ITM)
Modularization of Master's Studies (M SPAN) (2316-ITM)
PRIMO Lab – Production innovation and manufacturing lab (2317-ITM)
Flexible recorded material for active learning (2321-SCI)
Data-driven assessment of qualifications (2322-SCI)