Umea University

About  Umeå University

Umeå University (Swedish: Umeå universitet) is a university in Umeå in the mid-northern region of Sweden. The university was founded in 1965 and is the fifth oldest within Sweden's present borders.

As of 2015, Umeå University has nearly 31,000 registered students (approximately 16,000 full-time students), including those at the postgraduate and doctoral level. It has more than 4,000 employees, half of which are teachers/researchers, including 368 professors.

Internationally, the university is known for research relating to the genome of the Populus tree and the Norway Spruce, and its highly ranked Institute of (industrial) Design.

• Umeå School of Architecture

  Umeå School of Architecture is part of Umeå University and is beautifully located on the banks of the Ume River, a stone's throw from the centre of the town. Umeå is with its 120 000 inhabitants the larg- est town in northern Sweden. It is a university town with a vibrant cultural scene, elected European Capital of Culture in the year 2014.

  The school of Architecture was established in September 2009 and is a laboratory for experimental architecture where both education and research are conducted. Here future architects are being trained in a unique environment, based on an integrated approach of the artistic, technical and academic fields. It is part of the newly built Umeå Arts Campus together with Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, Umeå Institute of Design, HUMlab-X (digital humanities), Bildmuseet (a contemporary art museum), Sliperiet and a library with literature within the fields of art, design and architecture.

  Umeå School of Architecture distinguishes itself through the integration of scientific, artistic and professional methods and means of study in an international profile. The intermingling of technology, sustainability and art at the Arts Campus encourages development. The education aims to point clearly towards sustainable architecture and integrated design.

• Umeå Institute of Design

  We are an international Swedish school, founded in 1989 with the aim of giving future designers the best possible start of a life-long professional and personal career.  As design is constantly evolving in response to changes in society and environment, education and research at the Umeå Institute of Design aims to be at the forefront of addressing the future foundations of industrial design.

• Umeå School of Business and Economics

  Umeå School of Business and Economics (USBE) has more than 170 employees including 90 researchers with a doctoral degree. The areas of research and teaching are in business administration, economics and statistics. We are one of five business schools in Sweden. More than 2000 students study in our programs per year.

  Internationalization is an important element integrated in activities at USBE. Every year USBE accept a large number of international exchange students and program students. We are proud that our students, lecturers, and researchers represent a stimulating mix of people from different countries and cultures around the world. This is an important element for internationalization of the home campus.

  For adventurous program students there are ample opportunities to spend one or two semesters abroad on exchange studies at one of our 70 partner universities around the world. Some of our students also work in internships abroad.

• Umea Academy of Fine Arts

  The fine arts degree at Umea Academy of Fine Arts give a practical and theoretical competence to work as a professional artist in Sweden and overseas. The programs focuses on the individual students artistical projects which develop together with the academy's tutorial team. The school, which was founded in 1987, has complete workshops for wood, metal, plaster, bronze, grahical, photo, video, sound and computer based artistical forms.

  The degree is a typically project and workshop orientated with a number of international working artists and guest teachers. This is reflected in the creative diversiveness of contemporary art. We see that collaboration over land and cultural bounderies as an important part of the artistical and critical reflexive education at all levels. The critical artistic potential and diversive way of thinking, culture and free expression are at focus.

  Umea Academy of Fine Arts is part of the Umeå Arts Campus at Umeå University, together with the Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå Institute of Design, Bildmuseet and HumlabX.

  The Academy offers three degrees in Fine Arts: a Bachelor Program and a Master Program and a PhD program on artistic grounds. We also have single-subject courses in Aestetics I, II and III and summer courses.

• Umeå University School of Restaurant and Culinary Arts

  At Umeå University School of Restaurant and Culinary Arts we select our teachers and visiting lecturers with care in order for our students to get the best possible education.

  Students will be offered lectures by experienced and committed teachers from the university - but also by international top names in the hotel and restaurant business.

  Among other things, this is the reason why shortly after completing their education many of our students have got really good and interesting jobs.

• Faculty of Science and Technology

  The Faculty of Science and Technology offers a wide range of courses and programmes and actively updates the curriculum in tune with progress in research and on the labour market. The world class achievements at our research centers with staff of various nationalities and the connection with industry lead to an interdisciplinary and international approach in our academic programs.

  Proximity to research, excellent teaching and a relaxed atmosphere characterize the faculty’s education.

  We offer 23 Bachelor’s programmes, of which one is taught in English, and 14 Master’s programmes in English. Our eleven departments offer a possibility to pursue a doctoral degree. Students who do not intend to study a whole programme may easily apply for single courses at all levels.

• Umeå School of Education

  Teacher education is a field where many diverse disciplines converge in constructive dialogues to devise courses and programmes based on scholarly knowledge and proven practice.

  Inaugurated in January 2009, the Umeå School of Education (USE) is responsible for teacher education at Umeå University. Its directives include the provision of first and second-cycle courses and programmes of the highest possible quality in the fields of teacher education, study and vocational counselling and special education.

  Teacher education courses and programmes at Umeå University are characterised by professional relevance, flexibility and extendability.

  In order to ensure that our study programmes have a professional profile, they are realised in partnership with pre-schools and schools in the region. This partnership shapes both the content and the implementation of studies. Other key attributes of USE are the use of modern information and communication technology, international cooperation - for example in the form of student exchanges - and a high degree of student participation in development work and course planning.

  Flexible study options allow students considerable leeway in tailoring their education to their own career goals.

  An efficient and effective infrastructure, a great interest in research among our staff and several well-established research environments combine to provide excellent conditions for successful doctoral studies and research in the fields of teacher education and the pedagogical professions.

• School of Sport Sciences

  Sport is a priority area at Umeå University and has been so for a very long time. The very first sport-related education started in the early 70's and today Umeå School of Sport Sciences (USSS) has the broadest range of education programmes and most sports students within the sports area in the country. Umeå University is the only university in Sweden who has professorships in both medical and behaviour sciences.

  All sports related education and researce within the university is concentrated at the Umeå School of Sport Sciences. USSS currently offers sports related courses att all four faculties and organizes all toplevel sport studentes.

  USSS

  • has the most sports students in Sweden,
  • has the broadest range of education programmes within the sports area in the country
  • are the first higher education establishment in Sweden to have adopted a university-wide policy to combine toplevel sport and study

History of Umeå University

The tireless struggle to become Sweden’s fifth university was achieved in great part to the marketing efforts of Gösta Skoglund, a local politician and member of the Swedish parliament from 1940-1970. The politicians had to choose between Härnösand and Umeå. They decided on Umeå in 1963, changing the course of the town's history.

In 1956 it was the dental school that led the way to higher education in Umeå. In 1958, Umeå launched a teaching hospital. And in 1963, the decision was made to establish a university in Umeå, and Umeå University was inaugurated on the 17th of September 1965, by the then king, Gustav VI Adolf.

During 1965 there were only about 2,000 students. Today the total of students - including those at the postgraduate level - is approximately 31,000. Many of these students are taking courses via distance education, or online learning. Additionally, there are 2,032 teachers and researchers employed by the university.

Accreditation

• Institutional Accreditation or Recognition - Utbildningsdepartementet, Sverige
• Other Specialized or Programmatic Accreditations - Swedish National Agency of Higher Education (SNAHE)

Rankings

• In the latest (2012) Academic Ranking of World Universities, the university was ranked between places 201–300 of all universities in the world
• In 2012 by the QS World University Rankings the university was ranked 297th in the world (overall)
• In the latest (2012/2013) Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012/2013 Umeå University was ranked between 251 and 275 out of all global universities.
• In 2012, the university was ranked 23rd in the world of higher education institutions under the age of 50 years by the British magazine Times Higher Education (THE).
• In 2013 the university was ranked 1st of Sweden in the International Student Barometer on international student satisfaction by the International Graduate Insight Group.

Services of Umeå University

Buddy programme

Arriving in a new country can be exciting, but can also give rise to difficulties. The Buddy Programme provides a helping hand as you settle down and get to know student life. The International Office at Umeå University organises the Buddy Programme as a service for international students.

Buddies are students at Umeå University who volunteer to introduce you to the Swedish way of life. As a participant in the Buddy Programme, you will be part of a buddy group that consists of approximately 8-10 buddies and 25-30 international students. The Buddy Programme involves the possibility to participate in a variety of fun social activities, for example sports, parties and travel, or just having a cup of coffee with your group members.

As an international student at Umeå University, the International Office invites you to participate in our Buddy Programme. You and the other students decide what you would like to do within the framework of the Buddy Programme. To attend the activities arranged within the Buddy Programme you need to enroll.

Orientation course

Moving to a new country with an unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be a challenge. We would like to help you and ease that challenge so that you can focus on your studies. Therefore, we would like to offer you the possibility to take part in our Orientation Course, which begins before the start of each term.

The Orientation Course consists of a series of lectures and activities that are designed to help you to become acquainted with life in Umeå and studies at our university. The course also offers a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. We strongly recommend that you arrive in time to take part in the Orientation Course. Please see the latest Orientation Course Programme for more information on what happens during the course.

The Programme for the coming term will be available on this site one month before the beginning of the term.

Study guidance and support

If you are looking to start studying or already are a student, the University provides study guidance and counselling.

THE STUDY COUNSELLORS CAN HELP YOU WITH...

• information about studies offered at Umeå University
• information about eligibility and admission procedures
• equivalation of foreign upper-secondary education
• individual guidance for you to be able to plan your future studies

Visit us during our drop-in hours, where we can sort out your immediate questions during a brief conversation. You may then book further guidance.

We can also provide study guidance and help you with your questions by telephone, e-mail or e-meeting.

THE STUDY ADVISOR FOR PROGRAMMES AND COURSES

If you have any questions about a degree programme or a single-subject course in your specific field of study, you are welcome to contact the study advisor in your department.

A study advisor provides more detailed information and guidance in relation to the department's own degree programmes and single-subject courses. For example, course selections within a programme, the course literature, exams, and options after studying a certain programme.

These Study Advisors are presented under "Contact Information" for each course or programme in the on-line catalogue (Master Programmes, Undergraduate Programmes and Courses).

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE

The Student Health Service is available for all students at Umeå University.

During your time as a student at Umeå University, you can turn to the Student Health Service for questions regarding your mental or physical health, your social or study situation. The Student Health Service works as a complement to the Swedish public health system.

Aurora is a custom-made light and quiet room for rest and recovery available for all students, provided by the Student Health Service.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

As an undergraduate or postgraduate student with a disability you are eligible for support in the study situation.

The pedagogical support for students with disabilities is intended to compensate for difficulties that may arise in the study situation. If you need pedagogical support due to a disability, please contact us before you start your studies at Umeå University or as soon as possible.

STUDENT UNIONS

The University Board reaches a decision every third year regarding which student associations can acquire the status of Student Union. It is no longer mandatory to be a member of a Student Union.

The Student Unions at Umeå University have been given the assignment by the university to help students who are experiencing issues during their education or in their work environment. This means that the Student Unions represent and help individual students who in some way are in need of their services. The Student Unions therefore have special Student Ombudsmen who have this as a job. You can contact your Student Ombudsmen if you have questions about the legal framework at the University, feel that the rules are not followed, or otherwise experience problems in your education or your situation as a student. You can always remain anonymous against the University in your contact with the Student Union. The Student Unions also appoint representatives in all the bodies and meetings at the university that are of relevance for education or the situation as a student.

At Umeå University there are three different Student Unions with different parts of the university as area of operation. Which student you should turn to, depends on your field of study.

10 REASONS TO CHOOSE UMEÅ UNIVERSITY

1. SATISFIED STUDENTS

Top-ranked in Europe for international student satisfaction.

2. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Professional and dedicated teachers along with world leading research.
Read about Emmanuelle Charpentier, co-discoverer the CRISPR-Cas9 mechanism in bacteria, which became a gene editing tool now used in research labs world wide.

3. FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES AND A MODERN SETTING

Umeå University is renowned for its comprehensive educational approach and creative learning environments, such as Humlab-X at the Umeå Arts Campus.

4. BREATHTAKING NATURE

Experience the Northern Lights, arctic landscape, endless summer nights and beautiful open countryside.

5. HIGHLY INTERNATIONAL

Students, faculty and staff from all corners of the globe. Over 130 nationalities are represented in Umeå municipality.

6. CITY OF CULTURE

Culture on Campus, music festivals, theatre, museums, food, opera and much more.

7. STUDENT SUPPORT

Get the help you need with our International Office, Infocenter, study advisors and build your social network in the Buddy Programme.

8. ACCOMODATION 

Single-occupancy housing within minutes of campus is offered for fee-paying degree students and incoming exchange students.

9. SPORTS MINDED

Home of Europe's largest indoor sport and fitness facility located on the main campus — IKSU Sport.

10. COURSES IN ENGLISH

Umeå University offers a wide selection of degree programmes courses with instruction language entirely in English.

• Umea University Scholarships for International Students