When Sophiahemmet University in Stockholm started its midwifery training in the fall of 2015, 24 students were admitted to the program.
Over the years, the school has had to expand its places and in the autumn 40 prospective midwives will be welcomed.
But there are many more than that who apply to university.
Before the fall, a record was broken in the number of applications for the midwifery program, the highest in the country and an increase of 43 percent.
According to the university's rector Johanna Adami, 75-80 percent of applicants do not get a place.
Lack of internships
Since its inception in 2015, Sophiahemmet University has, in its budget submission to the Government, asked for funding to expand the places.
But it's not quite that simple, says Education Minister Anna Ekström (S).
Namely, there is also a lack of internships, something the Minister of Education believes that the regions must be involved in solving.
New clinic
Region Stockholm has decided to add 550 million kroner over the next 3 years, which will, among other things, go towards employing senior midwives in special positions in order to improve the conditions for supervising new colleagues in the long term.
In the spring of 2023, a new maternity clinic will also be opened in Stockholm, which could provide an increase in internships by the fall of 2023.
Hear the rector of Sophiahemmet University and the answer from the Minister of Education in the video: "We can double the number of places".