Schools and education

Umeå is a city of science and learning. With two universities and the highest share of PhDs in Sweden –education is a priority.

High quality education

In Umeå, we prioritize the quality of education from preschool to higher education. Our students learn in a safe environment where respect, equality, and community are key values. Compared to other regions, Umeå’s students perform among the best in the country, and we have a high share of qualified teachers.

Investing in culture

The city invests heavily in ensuring children have access to cultural activities both in school and as extracurricular options, more so than other cities in Sweden. Students in Umeå can engage in various cultural expressions such as new circus, theatre, music, handicrafts, film, and much more.

Inspiring a Healthy Lifestyle

Physical well-being is crucial for healthy students and deeper learning. This is the focus of the local pilot project, ‘Physical Literacy on Your Way to School.’ Based on the physical literacy theory, the project aims to transform children’s walk to school into an engaging experience, encouraging them to develop a love for physical activity and the skills to be more active on their way to school.

Elementary Schools

The school purpose is to create the right conditions for the students, to be able to learn and develop social competence, empathy and understanding. We call it learning for a sustainable development and learning for life.

Umeå have got over 50 elementary schools, both public and private. All of the public schools maintain a high quality and are driven by an dedicated and qualified staff. The private schools have different profiles and pedagogical orientations which you can read more about on their websites.

High Schools

We provide knowledge and a safe environment for learning. There are several public and private high schools both inside and outside of the inner city . Our schools can offer qualified teachers, special education needs coordinators, school nurses, school psychologists, curators, school doctors, student counselors, IT- technicians, sports centers, school libraries and everything else needed in effort to provide your child with the means to grow.

If you want to continue on to higher education after high school or choose a vocational program, or perhaps combine high-level athletics with your high school studies, you can. In Umeå there is an education for everyone. Riksgymnasiet at Dragonskolan can offer a customized educational progam for people with a physical disability, where the school, habilitation and dormitory are working together.

Adult education

The center for adult education (Komvux) is a place where you can find information about studies, professions and the labor market. They also manage guidance counselling, applications and admissions. Komvux can offer both theoretical courses and vocational programs.

You can study at elementary- or high-school level and choose between distance studies or on location. The center for adult education also provides studies in the Swedish language to immigrants.

Komvux vocational programs are a response towards a direct demand from the labor market and are run in collaboration with employers.

University studies

Umeå hosts two universities: Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Explore university study opportunities in Umeå.