Uppsala University (UU)

Location: Uppsala, Sweden,
Year of foundation: 1477,
Number of students: more than 53 000,
Language of instruction: Swedish, English,
Type of instruction: blended.

Uppsala University is the oldest university not only in Sweden but also in Scandinavia.

The institution was founded in 1477 and, despite its long history, it has kept pace with the times and meets the needs of modernity. Today, Uppsala University is a strong comprehensive research center among the best in the world. Its 11 campuses in Uppsala are home to some 53,000 students, some of whom have come to Sweden from other countries for a competitive education.

The institution's teaching staff consists of about 7,000 qualified, experienced and loving professionals. Their mission is not only to transfer knowledge and applied skills to young professionals, but also to create a comfortable atmosphere for their assimilation.

Uppsala University has nine faculties that are organized into three disciplinary areas: humanities and social sciences, medicine and pharmacy, and science and technology. These areas offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees as well as short courses.

Uppsala University has nine faculties:

• Theological
• Juridical
• Historical and philosophical,
• Philological
• Sociological
• Pedagogical
• Medical
• Pharmacological
• Technological and natural science.

The names of internationally renowned scientists are associated with Uppsala University : Carl Linnaeus, Andres Angström, Anders Celsius, Johan Vallerius and others.

The university library  houses historical items such as the Codex Argenteus of Vulfila, and the numismatic collection of Uppsala University houses more than 40,000 coins and medals. There is also a collection of paintings, valuable collections of minerals, a large botanical garden with a museum and a  statue of  Linnaeus. 

Despite its impressive area, the educational territory of the university does not have its own residential buildings. The staff will help students find suitable accommodation for them in Uppsala and Visby, focusing on their requirements and wishes. Students studying on a paid basis are guaranteed to receive a place in the student residence - a fully furnished dormitory room with common amenities: kitchen, bathroom and toilet, recreation and self-study areas.

The highest demand for housing in Uppsala is during the summer months, namely August: therefore, students should start looking for suitable options in advance as much as possible.

Uppsala University has student unions - any student can become a member of one or more unions, getting involved in their activities: from academic and extracurricular assistance to students to organizing events. Membership can give the student access to exchange programs, i.e. study abroad, or the opportunity to apply for a scholarship.

Student unions are founded and managed by students, their main goal is to prioritize and protect the interests of students. Some of the unions are:

• The Student Union is the largest association that ensures the quality of education and a caring attitude towards each pupil of the university,
• Specialized unions: pharmacy, engineering and natural sciences, business and economics, jurisprudence and others.

Student nations are special clubs that are important for all international students. They support visiting students and help in solving all sorts of issues: from visa and housing to legal and leisure.

Many students of the institution have hobbies: practicing a certain sport, visual or performing arts, community service or volunteering, extracurricular research, and others. The university supports each student and allows the use of the campus for a variety of events. Students have the opportunity to organize sports competitions, hold concerts and charity events, attend thematic seminars or relax after school for a collective viewing of a film.

• The institution is ranked among the world's top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE), QS World University Rankings and Shanghai Ranking (ARWU),
• The first Scandinavian university in history,
• Annual international student exchange program,
• 56% of doctoral research funding comes from external sources,
• 11 campuses with a total area of more than 400,000 square meters.

Uppsala University's study sites are located in Uppsala and Gotland. The institution has 11 campuses where academic activities are constantly buzzing, from lectures and seminars to collaborative research and work projects.

• Blåsenhus - research in pedagogy, didactics and psychology is conducted here. Students can make use of the local library, an experimental classroom and a laboratory for children,
• Biomedical Center - one of Europe's largest life science centers, conducting research in biology, pharmacy, chemistry, medicine and nutrition. Students receive basic education and training in medical and biotechnology programs at this site,
• Gotland - located in Visby, the campus offers education in humanities, law, languages and other related specializations. The training site was established in 2013 and features state-of-the-art classrooms with interactive equipment, laboratories and self-study areas,
• Center for Evolutionary Biology - provides research in biology and evolution at all levels. It also houses the Museum of Evolution with exhibitions on botany, zoology and paleontology,
• Economikum - the economics building of the university which provides infrastructure for the study of exact and information sciences, media and economics,
• English Park - houses the Humanities Center, the Hugo Valentine Center and the Karin Boyer Library, providing facilities for the study of a wide range of subjects in the humanities, social sciences,
• Gamla Torget - includes classroom buildings, a library and laboratories. Students study political science, law, urban studies and conflict studies in this area,
• GeoCenter - has the infrastructure to conduct research in the earth sciences: core laboratories with many instruments, lecture halls, and more,
• Rudbeck Laboratory - a research center for immunology, cancer, and genetic diseases. Students use large laboratories and all sorts of facilities to collect and analyze the results of their work,
• Uppsala University Hospital - a practical area for students in medical programs: physiotherapy, speech therapy, biomedicine and nursing,
• Ångström Laboratory - provides education for engineering and natural scientists and is home to research in physics, chemistry, mathematics, energy and related fields. It houses the largest test room in Scandinavia.

Other facilities include the Uppsala University Museum and the eponymous library, Uppsala University's largest book repository.

The academic year is divided into two semesters and consists of 40 weeks - 20 weeks each. Studies begin in the fall and end in the spring, and there are no official vacation periods during any semester. Rest for students is provided at Christmas and Easter in the format of short breaks.

Semester dates:

• Autumn: August-January,
• Spring: January-June.

An approximate list of additional costs:

• Application fee,
• Financial proof for obtaining a residence permit in Sweden,
• Accommodation and meals,
• Off-campus expenses: public transport, mobile Internet, leisure and more,
• Additional and/or individual lessons.

Registration procedure for new students:

• Filling out an online application and submitting documents,
• Payment of registration fees,
• Receiving a positive response with further instructions,
• Obtaining a visa and booking accommodation in Uppsala,
• Arrival on campus for entrance examinations,
• Payment for the program and the beginning of training.

Among the graduates of the university are Nobel Prize laureates, scientists and research leaders, discoverers and important historical figures . To date, the alumni network of Uppsala University has more than 30,000 specialists from more than 150 countries. After graduating, they got a job or continued their education within six months of graduation.

Most major programs have specific requirements for new students.

General requirements for admission to bachelor's degree programs:

• Certificate of completion of upper secondary education,
• Swedish and/or English language certificate: IELTS Academic (from 6.5), TOEFL (from 20), Cambridge Exam (CAE, CRE) or equivalent.

Criteria for admission of new students to graduate programs:

• Bachelor's degree, official transcript,
• Certificate proving Swedish and/or English language proficiency: IELTS Academic (from 6.5), TOEFL (from 20), Cambridge Exam (SAE, CRE) or equivalent.
• Foreign candidates need to provide personal documents: passport and health insurance. All documents, including academic documents, must be translated into Swedish/English and notarized.

Uppsala University offers several opportunities for funding tuition:

• International scholarship fund - up to 40,000 € per year per student, reducing the cost of the program,
• International Scholarship Fund with a focus on additional education - full coverage of the cost of an additional course, which includes no more than 7.5 credits.

In addition to university funding, there are a number of scholarships that are provided by other organizations. Some of them are distributed by student nations on the basis of special merits in the activities of the collective.

The university also provides scholarships for travel and study abroad, funds research, and provides assistance to students in difficult situations.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision