In 2022, the number of students studying at Umeå University was higher than at any time since the peak of 2010. Nationwide, however, fewer applicants have applied to study at universities or university colleges, something we too have noticed. Still, Umeå University ranks fifth in Sweden in terms of the number of students eager to study one of our programmes.
Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
"It is heartening to know we made it through the pandemic and that last year's internationalisation efforts seem to be paying off for us. More students are going on exchange again, for example, and a higher share of our student body than ever is made up of students from countries outside of the EU and EEA," says Vice-Chancellor Hans Adolfsson.
More doctoral students and research funding
Almost a thousand doctoral students are actively undertaking doctoral studies at the University – a five-year high across all of our faculties. Fewer doctoral degrees, on the other hand, were awarded last year than at any time since 1996. This could partly depend on students’ doctoral projects being delayed, or on the fact that fewer doctoral students were admitted due to the pandemic.
Deputy University Director Per Ragnarsson commented on the annual accounts in his post on the University Management blog. He believes the University’s long-term efforts to use up all of the resources at its disposal are paying off. 2022 was a good year in terms of the amount of research funding Umeå University received. We not only received SEK 83 million more than the year before, but also used up those resources at a faster pace, which is a positive development.
Struggling to meet the Government’s funding cap
During the pandemic, the Swedish Government increased the number of annual performance equivalents nationwide. For Umeå University, this meant a 12% increase from 2019 until 2022. Most higher education institutions, including ours, have since struggled to live up to the so-called funding cap: the maximum number of full-time equivalents a university can be reimbursed for educating each year.
One reason why universities struggle to reach the Government’s target in terms of annual performance equivalents is because there has been a slight drop in students’ performance. At its latest meeting, the University Board discussed ways to reach the funding cap.
“Cranking up our number of annual performance equivalents is something we are constantly working on. It’s a challenge: the Government significantly raised our funding cap during the pandemic, but fewer people are interested in tertiary education these days,” says Hans Adolfsson.
Transformation of the north brings both opportunities and new demands
The transformation of northern Sweden could have a significant effect on the entire country in terms of green industries and the switch to a more sustainable society. It will also increase the region’s need for education and research for a long time to come. Umeå University is a key player in this: students who choose to study up north are more likely to stay here after they have graduated, and research conducted in the area (often in close cooperation with the private sector) is more likely to fuel and accelerate technological advancement.
In 2022, Umeå University launched new study programmes and major research projects. The Vice-Chancellor also designated Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dieter Müller to focus on the transformation of the north.
Our annual report for 2022 was officially approved by the University Board at its meeting on 20–21 February. It was submitted to the Government the day after.
Read an abridged version of the annual report in English. Read the full annual report in Swedish.