Exploring Stockholm University: Student Population And Campus Life

Stockholm University is a public research university in Stockholm, Sweden. It was founded as a college in 1878 and has been a university since 1960. The university has around 33,000 students, including 1,300 doctoral students, and 5,500 members of staff. It is one of the largest universities in Scandinavia, offering over 90 study programmes and 75 master's programmes taught in English. Stockholm University is ranked 153rd in the world and 56th in Europe.

Stockholm University has around 30,000 students

Stockholm University is a large university, with around 30,000 students. It is one of the largest universities in Scandinavia and the biggest in Sweden in terms of registered students. As of the fall semester of 2023, 37,000 students were registered at the university.

The university has a total of 39,672 registered students, but this number includes those only registered for a single course. When looking at the number of full-time equivalent students, the figure is 29,400 or 29,440. This number does not include students enrolled in contracted courses, contract education, or education that complements completed foreign education.

Stockholm University has four faculties: law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It offers 75 master's programmes and three bachelor's programmes taught in English within these subject areas. It also offers Swedish language programmes.

The university has a rich history, founded in 1878 as a college with the ambition to reinvent higher education in Sweden. It was granted university status in 1960, making it the fourth oldest Swedish university.

There are 5,500 members of staff

Stockholm University has approximately 5,500 members of staff. The university is one of the largest universities in Scandinavia, with over 33,000 students across four faculties: law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The student population comprises 29,400 full-time students and 1,300 doctoral students, with a total of 39,672 registered students as of the Spring semester of 2023.

The university's staff and student body are supported by an extensive organisational structure. The University Board, comprising internal and external members, is the highest governing body and is responsible for ensuring the university fulfils its mission as a government agency. The board reports directly to the Swedish government and oversees the rector, who holds operational responsibility for the university's activities. The rector works alongside a pro-rector, who can replace them if necessary.

Below the University Board are two area boards: the Area Board of Science and the Area Board of Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences. These area boards are responsible for strategic planning, coordination, and collaboration within their respective domains.

The faculty boards are the highest decision-making entities at the faculty level. They consist of the dean, assistant dean, business representatives, and student representatives. The deans are appointed by the president based on proposals from within the faculty.

Departments constitute the next level of decision-making at the university. Each department is led by a department head who, alongside the departmental board, manages the department's operations and makes relevant decisions.

The University Administration, led by the Executive Director, serves as the preparation and service organisation for the University Board, rector, and other decision-making entities. The Executive Director is the most senior official at the university, making financial and organisational decisions regarding the university administration.

The university's staff are spread across its various departments, institutes, and centres. Stockholm University encompasses over 65 departments, 15 research institutes, and centres within the humanities, law, natural sciences, and social sciences. This extensive organisational structure supports the university's educational and research endeavours, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration.

383,000 students were registered at Swedish higher education institutions in 2023

In 2023, 383,000 students were registered at Swedish higher education institutions. This number remained stable until 2018, after which it rose sharply in 2020 as many chose to take up studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stockholm University, the largest university in Sweden, had the highest number of registered students in the country in 2022. It is ranked among the world's top 100 universities and is located in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, which is also the largest city in Sweden.

Stockholm University is a public research university that was founded as a college in 1878 and gained university status in 1960. It is one of the largest universities in Scandinavia, with over 33,000 students across four faculties: law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The university has a total of 56 departments, institutes, and centers within these four faculties.

The university offers a wide range of courses and programmes at both undergraduate and advanced levels. There are 190 study programmes in total, including 75 master's programmes taught in English and 1,700 courses to choose from within human science and science. Students can opt for either standalone courses or a full study programme. Additionally, Stockholm University provides opportunities for foreign exchange studies during the third year of a bachelor's degree programme, with cooperative agreements in place with over 100 universities worldwide.

The university's faculty comprises 5,500 members, including 532 professors, 35% of whom are women. The student body is predominantly female, with women making up 64% of the total registered students. The university also has an active research community, with 1,282 doctoral students, of which 54% are women.

In addition to its academic offerings, Stockholm University is known for its rich history and notable alumni. It was the site of the appointment of Sofia Kovalevskaya to the mathematics department in 1889, making her the third female professor in Europe. The university has also produced several Nobel Prize winners, including Svante Arrhenius, Paul Crutzen, and Tomas Tranströmer.

Stockholm University is ranked among the world's top 100 universities

Stockholm University is a public research university in Stockholm, Sweden, with over 33,000 students and 5,500 members of staff. It is one of the largest universities in Scandinavia and is ranked among the world's top 100 universities.

The university was founded as a college in 1878 and was granted university status in 1960, making it the fourth oldest Swedish university. It has four faculties: law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The main campus, Frescati, is located just north of Stockholm city centre in the Royal National City Park. The university also has facilities in central Stockholm and Kista Science City.

Stockholm University is ranked highly by several well-established ranking tables, including Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE), QS Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). In 2020, it was ranked 69th in the world by ARWU. In the 2025 rankings, THE placed Stockholm University at 191st in the world, while QS placed it at 128th.

The university's performance across various subjects has also been recognised. In the QS World University Rankings by subject for 2025, Stockholm University was ranked 11th in Social Policy & Administration and 25th in Environmental Sciences. In the U.S. News & World Report Rankings for 2021, the university was ranked 114th in the world and 4th in Sweden.

The university has 65 departments and 15 research institutes and centres

Stockholm University is a public research university in Stockholm, Sweden, with a student population of 29,400 (or 30,000 according to another source) and 5,500 members of staff. It is one of the largest universities in Scandinavia, with over 33,000 students across four faculties: law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The university has 65 departments and 15 research institutes and centres, offering a wide range of programmes and courses.

The university's 65 departments are spread across its four faculties. The Faculty of Humanities, for example, includes departments such as Literature, History, and Languages, while the Faculty of Social Sciences covers departments like Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science. The university's 15 research institutes and centres provide specialised facilities and resources for specific areas of study. These research institutes are often affiliated with a particular department, fostering collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

The university's research institutes and centres cover a diverse range of disciplines. For instance, the Stockholm University Marine Research Centre (SMF) focuses on ecosystems, ecology, and the impact of human activity, while the Tarfala research station, located in an arctic/alpine environment, specialises in glaciological, hydrological, meteorological, and climatological research. Additionally, the Tovetorp Zoological Research Station, part of the Department of Zoology, conducts research and training in ecology and ethology.

The university's extensive range of departments, institutes, and centres enables a comprehensive curriculum, with various programmes and courses available to its students. Stockholm University offers 75 master's programmes and three bachelor's programmes taught in English, as well as Swedish language programmes. The university's faculties, departments, and research institutes work together to provide a well-rounded academic experience, ensuring that students have access to a multitude of educational opportunities.

The university's commitment to both education and research is evident through its various programmes and research initiatives. With its large student population and numerous departments, institutes, and centres, Stockholm University fosters a dynamic and collaborative academic community.

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