International students don’t end up in a Swedish city by chance. They come here because they share a set of beliefs and values — things like equality, sustainability and a modern approach to learning. They come because these are ideals we at the University of Gothenburg share.
University of Gothenburg Distance Learning Courses
"Gothenburg University College" was established in 1891 with the help of private donations. The first classes were held by seven professors teaching seven subjects to twenty-one students, four of whom were women.
In 1907 it became an independent university college with the same status as the two national universities of Uppsala and Lund.
Education
Four basic principles shall guide the University of GA Quality-Driven University
A Quality-Driven University
Strong Civic Responsibility
Global Engagement
Inspiring Work Environment
Research
The broad-ranging research at the University of Gothenburg is innovative, characterised by multidisciplinary cooperation, closely linked to education and stands in close contact with society.
The 3000 researchers, teachers and doctoral students span from developmental biology and gender studies to logistics and marine mammals. The University’s list of renowned researchers includes Nobel Laureate in Medicine or Physiology Arvid Carlsson (2000).
Career
If you have thoughts on what your studies are leading to and what opportunities there will be after graduation, you can turn to your Study Counsellor.
If you are a student at the School of Business, Economics and Law you can get career guidance by contacting the Career Service. Career Service acts as a link between business students and companies and provides activities such as business presentations, cv - examination and career coaching.
University of GothenburgKey Statistics & Highlights
#177Ranking
1 Courses
1,984Academic Staff
21,033Students
2,734Students (int'l)
Public Institution Type
Student services
ISOP is responsible for all incoming and outgoing exchange students at the Faculty of Education.
This means that ISOP handles incoming and outgoing students connected to the exchange agreements of the Faculty of Education, and supplies information and guidance regarding exchange programmes and studying abroad to students.
Housing services
Gothenburg is a very attractive place to live in, which means that there is a large demand for accommodation, especially at the beginning of each term. Therefore we recommend that you begin to look for accommodation as soon as possible.
The University of Gothenburg offers assistance with three different kinds of accommodation.
These are intended for internationally recruited faculty and staff, as well as persons visiting the university for a certain task, contributing with expertise or taking part in other exchange; e.g. international researchers, professors, teachers, lecturers or administrative staff from other universities or organizations abroad.
Library services
The library provides extended support for students with reading impairments. You can get help with access to adapted textbooks, longer loan periods and access to reading studios.
If you need help with information search for a thesis or finding literature in a certain subject area there is help to get at the libraries' information desks.
Campus life
University of Gothenburg offers a unique opportunity for students. Here you will study in the very heart of the city. We don't have a campus in the outskirts of the city; instead the whole city is the campus.
Botanical building
Campus Johanneberg
Campus Haga
Campus Lindholmen
Campus Linné
Geovetarcenter
Handelshögskolan (School of Business, Economics and Law)
HDK and Valand
Humanisten (Faculty of Arts)
Mariestad
Medicinareberget (Sahlgrenska Academy)
Pedagogen (School of Education)
Steneby
Sven Lovén Center for Marine Infrastructure
Sports facilities
Unfortunately, the University of Gothenburg doesn't have a gym or swimming pool nor does it host any yoga classes. You can find a swimming pool at Chalmers, but only Chalmers Student Union members can use it.
Student clubs
Associations at University of Gothenburg
The Senior Academy*
Staff organisations*
The network for administrative and technical staff*
GFS, The Association of Student Unions in Gothenburg (information in English available)
GU’s art society*
Alumni network
Accreditation
The School of Business, Economics and Law is accredited by EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA, and thus the only business school in Sweden that is what is popularly referred to as “Triple Crown” accredited. In this exclusive group includes, among others, London Business School, Antai at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, INSEAD in France and Copenhagen Business School..
University of GothenburgOverview
University of GothenburgRankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 10.6%Sweden
Top 2.3%Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
177
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 13 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
2025
2026
2027
160
164
177
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
225
By TopUniversities
Dropped 23 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
194
202
225
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
201
201
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2026 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
2024
2025
2026
101
151
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
I have had a fantastic experience studying at the University of Gothenburg. It has exceeded my expectations in every aspect, and I highly recommend this institution for several key reasons:
Exceptional Faculty: The professors here are incredibly professional and knowledgeable. They are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely supportive, always providing insightful guidance and fostering an environment that encourages academic and personal growth.
Excellent Accommodation: The student housing provided is top-notch. The apartments are well-maintained, comfortable, and conveniently located. The living environment is both peaceful and vibrant, making it easy to settle in and stay focused on my studies.
Inspiring Campus Environment: The campus is beautiful and conducive to learning. With its unique architecture, modern library facilities, and green, tranquil surroundings, it provides the perfect atmosphere for both academic research and reflection.
Overall, the University of Gothenburg offers a perfect balance of world-class education and a high quality of life. If you are looking for an institution that combines academic rigor with a supportive and inspiring environment, the University of Gothenburg is an excellent choice.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromUnknown
Posted onAug 2026
4/5
HDK-Valand Design Student
HDK-Valand Design education gives you the opportunity to learn and develop your own design process, idea work and design on an artistic basis. The students have different design orientations, but a common foundation is how to relate to creative problem solving. It is rewarding to get an insight into several different design areas.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromAug 2025 - Jun 2028
Posted onAug 2026
4/5
A campus by the water
Campus Lindholmen is great in geographical terms, relatively close to the city center yet somewhat outside of it. The campus lies right next to the sea and is just a ferry ride from the heart of Gothenburg.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!