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Academic ceremonies

Image: Mattias Pettersson

Umeå University annually organises two academic ceremonies: the Spring Graduation and the Annual Celebration. During these ceremonies, our new doctors, jubilee doctors and honorary doctors are conferred. Also, our new professors are installed, award recipients receive their awards, and Medals of Merit are awarded.

Like all other Swedish higher education institutions, Umeå University organises academic ceremonies to recognise, celebrate and commemorate academic success and new appointments. The academic ceremonies originate from the various rituals and ceremonies that developed throughout Europe during the 13th century when the first universities were founded.

Our two academic ceremonies, the Spring Graduation and the Annual Celebration, have many ceremonial similarities, but they also differ in, for example, what academic roles they celebrate. Both ceremonies culminate in a festive banquet for invited guests.

Please note that the main language used during the ceremonies is Swedish. During the Annual Celebration, some lectures open to the public are in English. At the bottom of this page, there is a link to a list explaining terms for academic ceremonies.

Spring Graduation

The Spring Graduation takes place in mid-May every year. During Spring Graduation, the conferment of new doctors who have completed their doctoral education at Umeå University, and jubilee doctors takes place, i.e., individuals conferred or obtained a doctoral degree at Umeå University at least 50 years ago. Pedagogical, scientific and collaboration awards are also awarded teachers, study counsellors and researchers.

Annual Celebration

At the University’s Annual Celebration in mid-October, honorary doctors are conferred, and new professors are installed. Scientific awards are handed out, and, every three years, a Medal of Merit is awarded. When a new Vice-Chancellor is to be installed, this too takes place at the Annual Celebration.

Dates for upcoming academic ceremonies

Spring Graduation

17 May 2025
23 May 2026
22 May 2027
20 May 2028
19 May 2029
18 May 2030

Annual Celebration

19 October 2024
18 October 2025
17 October 2026
23 October 2027
21 October 2028
20 October 2029
19 October 2030

Contact us

Reach the organisers of the academic ceremonies – the Annual Celebration and the Spring Graduation – by email: akademiskhogtid@umu.se.

Or by phone:
Master of Ceremonies, Peter Sköld: +46 90-786 63 47
Communications Officer, Hanna Karlsson: +46 70-30 600 62

Latest update: 2024-04-09