Is Uppsala, Sweden a good place to live?
Uppsala is generally considered a very good place to live:
- Very high quality of life index of 195.84 out of 200
- Ranked 3rd best city to live in Sweden
- Safe, with a moderate safety index of 57.18
- Excellent healthcare system with a high index of 73.19
- Clean environment with very low pollution index of 11.69
- Good work-life balance and family-friendly atmosphere
- Beautiful city with parks, rivers, and historical architecture
How expensive is Uppsala to live in?
Uppsala is relatively affordable compared to other major Swedish cities:
- Average cost of living is $1,460 per month for a single person
- Ranked 3865th out of 9294 cities globally for cost of living
- Cost of living index is low at 57.41
- Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is around $710 per month
- Monthly expenses for a family of four are approximately $3,317
Is it worth staying in Uppsala?
Yes, staying in Uppsala is generally considered worthwhile:
- High quality of life and work-life balance
- Rich cultural heritage with a prestigious university
- Proximity to Stockholm (45-minute drive) offers additional opportunities
- Beautiful natural surroundings and historical architecture
- Lower cost of living compared to Stockholm
- Strong academic and research environment
How hard is it to get into Uppsala University?
Admission to Uppsala University can be competitive:
- Basic entry requirement is completed upper secondary education
- International students must meet general and program-specific requirements
- English proficiency tests required (IELTS: 6.5-7.0, TOEFL iBT: 90-100)
- Application process includes online application, transcripts, and other documents
- Specific requirements vary by program, so careful research is necessary
How prestigious is Uppsala University?
Uppsala University is highly prestigious and consistently ranks among the top universities globally:
- QS World University Rankings 2025: 103rd place globally
- Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025: 130th place globally
- Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2024: 88th place globally
- Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2024: 86th place globally (top 0.5% in the world)
Uppsala University is particularly renowned in several fields:
- Ranked 26th globally for Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Ranked 49th globally for Biological Sciences
- Ranked 71st globally for Chemistry
The university’s prestige is further enhanced by:
- Eight Nobel Prize laureates associated with the institution
- Over 500 years of history as one of Sweden’s oldest universities
- Strong research output and international collaborations
- High scores in sustainability and research network metrics
While not in the absolute top tier globally, Uppsala University is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Sweden and maintains a strong international reputation for academic excellence and research quality.
