Uppsala University: Improving the world through world-class research

Uppsala University: Improving the world through world-class research
Image courtesy of Uppsala University

There many factors to consider when it comes to the pursuit of postgraduate studies. With a Bachelor’s degree already under your belt, it’s time to figure out whether a Master’s will enhance your career. And the million-dollar question is – which university should you choose?

Aside from deliberating the usual factors like rankings, cost of living and tuition fees, graduates need to figure out how the university will nurture them both personally and academically. After all, investing in your future is costly, so you need a university that will help you soar to brand-new heights.

Believing in these same values is Uppsala University in Sweden, the ideal setting for students seeking a deeper understanding of issues, as well as those looking to expand their critical thinking and creative expertise. At Uppsala University, students gain both breadth and competence through a growing range of Master’s programmes that span traditional and interdisciplinary boundaries.

Founded in 1477, Sweden’s first university remains relevant and modern by striking a balance between continuity and change. Integrating education and research across all subjects, the University combines experiences staff and students to create a unique learning environment where student participation and engagement is whole-heartedly encouraged.

This research-driven University offers around 50 Master’s programmes with a selection of more than 80 specialisations. No matter what your focus, all students benefit from close contact with research groups, seminars, and a wealth of hands-on experience in both field- and lab-based work. As a testament to just how valuable an Uppsala Master’s is, approximately 35 percent of annual graduates go on to pursue a PhD at universities around the world.

And for those aspiring to a career in research, Uppsala offers PhD studies that provide students with the skills needed to conduct independent research, enabling a deeper understanding of the subject, and instilling a proficiency in the distribution of knowledge that empowers the learning of others.

At Uppsala University, students and staff conduct powerful research into nature, human behaviour, culture and society with the aim of tackling today’s and tomorrow’s great societal issues. Students can choose from three broad research areas, which include Science and Technology, Medicine and Pharmacy, and Humanities and Social Science. Each area combines disciplinary depth with large, thematic and boundary-spanning initiatives.

  • Science and Technology

Focusing on global survival, sustainable environment and technological progress, students produce work ranging from pure, unfettered research to applied research with industrial ties, covering everything from the smallest building blocks of life to advanced engineering. Research in this area includes evolutionary biology, bio-chemistry and visual information, among many others.

  • Medicine and Pharmacy

With an aging population, diseases of affluence, resistance to antibiotics and needs for new and improved drugs; you’ll be tackling the major health challenges threatening contemporary society. Research here targets the alleviation, healing, and cure of diseases, as well as the development of new drugs to help with worldwide health matters. Within this area, students can pursue a Master’s programme in, for example, Biomedicine, Forensic Science or International Health.

  • Humanities and Social Sciences

Image courtesy of Uppsala University

Studies in the humanities and social sciences seek to understand how people’s conceptions and knowledge are formed in time and space, together with the economic, political, social, and cultural aspects of human behaviour and the development of society. Focus areas include, amongst others, Conflict and Democracy, Growth and Welfare and Natural Disaster Studies.

With three broad research areas and several specialisations, Uppsala boasts many world-class Research Centres with a multi-disciplinary focus to cater to all research students. Facilities include:

  • U-CAN – A research programme that collects standardised data, tumour and blood samples and biomolecules from cancer patients before, during and after therapy. The material is used to develop methods and drugs for diagnosis and treatment of tumours.
  • STandUP (Stand Up for Energy) – The aim here is to tackle one of the greatest global challenges: long-term sustainable energy.
  • ARE (Health care research) – A research programme that studies how people suffering from physical illnesses are affected psychosocially, and what kind of help they and their families need to deal with various emotional and mental health problems that may arise. Results from this are used to develop psychosocial and psychological self-help programmes to combat these issues.
  • Centre for Natural Disaster Science – Created to improve the ability to prevent and deal with environmental risks in society, both nationally and internationally, by raising awareness of the dynamics and consequences of natural hazards, considering the issue of vulnerability in Sweden and discussing crisis management.

What makes Uppsala University ‘The One’?

‘Top quality’ or ‘World-leading’ research work is impossible without a team of committed students and academic staff/researchers, top-notch facilities and the support of the University. Here, researchers define the contents of their research based on current scholarly and social challenges. Additionally, University management is ready to recognise new and emerging areas of scholarly inquiry by providing unparalleled opportunities and setting aside state-of-the-art resources.

Image courtesy of Uppsala University

“Uppsala University is well poised to meet the major societal challenges of today and tomorrow…,” concludes Eva Åkesson, Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“Research pursued here helps us to understand our society and to improve the world, making life easier for many people – research that reveals new perspectives on the fundamental questions of science and, at the same time, knowledge that contributes to environmental sustainability, human health, and social progress.”

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