Press release - 31 August 2011 12:29

8,500 new students to begin studies at Umeå University this autumn

"We are estimating the same number of first-time students this autumn as we had last year," says Anders Fällström, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education.

Last year, a total of 8,560 new students chose to attend Umeå University, which are those that had not previously studied at Umeå before. The actual total of students that register and attend classes at the start of the term is not possible to determine at this moment. However, there is an increase of six per cent of admitted student to courses and programmes in comparison to last year.

"We will have a clear indication on 20 September where we stand," explains Henrik Stenwall, analyst at Umeå University. "On that day we will be able to compare statistics from the same day from last year. Since registration takes place throughout the entire term, we will not see the exact figures until the end of the term."

Anders Fällström, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education, is satisfied with the developments.

“It is very pleasing that so many have chosen to study at Umeå University. We have had a fantastic growth of total students. In 2008 we had just over 29,000 students and this year we are estimating a total of 37,000 students. It is no longer our goal to expand, especially when one considers that we now have a surplus of enrolled students than what we receive in funding from the government. We now are concentrating instead on improving the quality of education."

Facts about first-time students

Last year, first-time (new beginning) students had a median age of 25 years old, and 61 per cent were female. Nearly two of three first-time students were enrolled in free-standing courses and the remained were enrolled in degree programmes. Six of ten first-time students had a campus-based education, while the remainder, often those enrolled in free-standing course, study online or via distance education.

The total number of first-time students that study off-campus, mainly online, has increased dramatically in recent years. An estimated half of the 8,500 new students are expected to study outside of Umeå. These students study Campus Skellefteå, Campus Örnsköldsvik, in Kiruna, Lycksele or via online and distance courses.

For more information on student figures, please contact:
Henrik Stenwall
Analyst, Planning Office
Tel: +46 (0)90-786 58 88
Mobile: +46 (0)70-245 77 81

Information for the start of the Autumn 2011 Term

The autumn 2011 academic term begins on Monday 5 September
At 12:10- 12:50, Culture on Campus presents a musical performance by Jaime Meyer in the Aula Nordica Concert Hall, Universum
Umeå Student Union of Science and Technology (also known as NTK), welcomes new students to register on the 5th and 6th of September at 09.00-16.00 at the Origo student union house (next to IKSU Sport). The other student unions do not have registration

Welcome Fair for New Students

On Thursday 8 September at 10:00 to 15:00, students are warmly invited to attendUmeå University's Welcome Fair at the Universum complex in the heart of Campus Umeå.

Anna Hamilton, a former student of Umeå University, will be performing at 12.10–12.50, on level 2 of Universum. Arranged by Culture on Campus

Topics

Education

General Press Inquiries

Press contact Press Officer press@umu.se +46 90 786 50 89

Marie Oskarsson

Press contact Kommunikatör Lärarhögskolan, Umeå universitet marie.oskarsson@umu.se 0909-786 69 47

Umeå University

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest universities with over 37,000 students and 4,300 employees. The university is home to a wide range of education programmes and world-class research in a number of fields. Umeå University was also where the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 was discovered – a revolution in gene-technology that was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Founded in 1965, Umeå University is characterised by tradition and stability as well as innovation and change. Education and research on a high international level contributes to new knowledge of global importance, inspired, among other things, by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The university houses creative and innovative people that take on societal challenges. Through long-term collaboration with organisations, trade and industry, and other universities, Umeå University continues to develop northern Sweden as a knowledge region.

The international atmosphere at the university and its unified campus encourages academic meetings, an exchange of ideas and interdisciplinary co-operation. The cohesive environment enables a strong sense of community and a dynamic and open culture in which students and staff rejoice in the success of others.

Campus Umeå and Umeå Arts Campus are only a stone's throw away from Umeå town centre and are situated next to one of Sweden's largest and most well-renowned university hospitals. The university also has campuses in the neighbouring towns Skellefteå and Örnsköldsvik.

At Umeå University, you will also find the highly-ranked Umeå Institute of Design, the environmentally certified Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics and the only architectural school with an artistic orientation – Umeå School of Architecture. The university also hosts a contemporary art museum Bildmuseet and Umeå's science centre – Curiosum. Umeå University is one of Sweden's five national sports universities and hosts an internationally recognised Arctic Research Centre.