Press release - 29 September 2011 06:00

Umeå University student enrolment hits new all-time high

A total 19,471 students are currently registered at Umeå University, according to figures from mid-September. This is an increase of 270 students in comparison with the same period last year. The figures indicate a record number of students by the end of 2011.

"It is very pleasing that so many have chosen to study at our university. It is a tribute to the quality of ourcourses and programmes, and to Umeå as a student city,” says Anders Fällström, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education at Umeå University.

Over 37,000 by year’s end

It is projected that the total number of students at the end of 2011 will break the 37,000 mark, which would be a new record for Umeå University. At the end of 2010 the university had 36,712 registered students.

"The projected figures very reliable,” says Lars Lustig, University Director. "I even believe that it may be slightly higher."

In contrast, the number of full-time students, about 15,000, has more or less remained at last year's level.

"This is how the trend has been like in recent years, which is closely linked to the expansion of web-based and distance education," says Lars Lustig.

The number of full-time students is important because the government provides financial support to universities based on the number of registered students and completed credits. Under the Swedish system of higher education, one academic year of full-time studies is equivalent to 60 higher education credits (60 ECTS).

Contact persons:

Anders Fällström
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education, Umeå University
E-mail: anders.fallstrom@adm.umu.se
Mobile: +46 (0)70-493 85 27

Lars Lustig, University Director
E-mail: lars.lustig@adm.umu.se
Tel: + 46 (09)0-786 97 97
Mobile: + 46 (0)73-620 50 01

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.