About Umeå University
Image: Mattias Pettersson
Image: Mattias Pettersson
A dynamic and open culture serves as the catalyst for high-quality education, research and innovation. Meet the flagship university of northern Sweden.
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Formally established in 1965, Umeå University is a comprehensive university covering research and education in medicine, science and technology, social sciences, arts and humanities, and educational sciences.
Our cohesive campus environment enables a dynamic and open culture with a strong sense of community.
As a knowledge-driven organisation, Umeå University is striving to provide students and staff with unique opportunities for learning and development – whilst simultaneously serving society with new knowledge and creative citizens.
More about collaboration and partnerships
More about working at Umeå University
ImageMikael Lundgren
The Umeå Arts Campus, The Umeå River and parts of central Umeå.
ImageJohan GunséusOver the past decades, the University and the city of Umeå have developed hand in hand. The influx of people from near and far has transformed Umeå into northern Sweden’s largest urban community.
Umeå University's geographical position in northern Sweden, Sápmi, and the Arctic Region of Europe provides us with unique opportunities to contribute new knowledge of global importance.
ImageMalin Grönborg
In total, Umeå University provides 150 study programmes and 1,800 courses. More than 40 programmes and 450 courses are offered with instruction language entirely in English.
In common for all our education is the high teacher competence and the strong interaction between research, education, collaboration and innovation.
More about education at Umeå University
ImageJohan Gunséus
Since the earlies days of Umeå University, interdisciplinary collaboration has been a strong trait. This is evident in many of our most successful research environments and networks.
Many of our more than 2,000 researchers are working in top national and international research teams with access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. This has enabled us to become international leaders in several research disciplines.
More about research at Umeå university
ImageJohan Gunséus
Campus Umeå is our unified main campus where the majority of research and teaching takes place. It is an excellent place for the exchange of ideas and interdisciplinary cooperation.
The Umeå Arts Campus is a highly creative environment that brings together the university's art colleges and the Bildmuseet art museum.
We also have regional campuses in the neighbouring cities of Skellefteå and Örnsköldsvik.
Umeå University's departments and units are organised under four faculties; arts and humanities, medicine, social sciences and science and technology.
In addition, research and education is carried out at seven schools and institutes, and seventeen research centres. The University Library and the University Administration provide support and structure.
More about organisational structure
Umeå University’s first vice-chancellor, Lars-Gunnar Larsson, is showing a model of Campus Umeå to King Gustaf VI Adolf and Princess Sibylla, at the inauguration in 1965.
ImageHarry LindvallAfter decades of parliamentary debates about the need for a university in northern Sweden, Umeå University was inaugurated in 1965. The land where Campus Umeå is today had long been used for winter grazing by local Sami reindeer-herders.
The geographical and cultural distance to the traditional universities of central and southern Sweden was evident in the early years. At Umeå University, a distinctly non-hierarchical and collaborative culture evolved.
More about the history of Umeå University
Chris Heister, chair of the University Board and Hans Adolfsson, vice-chancellor.
ImageMattias PetterssonThe University Board is the University's highest body. Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson is the chief executive and head of The University Management.
More about the University Management
In April 2019, the University Board established a new Vision for Umeå University. The vision charts our way forward and describes where Umeå University aspires to be in the future. It is based on three main concepts:
Spoken language: English. Subtitles: English. 3 min 46 sec.