Sweden offers biology and biology-related study options at universities across the country. The available pathways differ by institution: some universities offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies in biology, while KTH Royal Institute of Technology focuses on biotechnology and related life-science fields. Let’s take a look at the best universities in Sweden to st udy biology.
Top Schools Offering Biology in Sweden
1. University of Gothenburg
Situated in the city bearing the same name, the University of Gothenburg traces its roots to Gothenburg University College, which was founded in 1891. In 1907, it became an independent university college with the same status as the national universities of Uppsala University and Lund University. The University of Gothenburg was formally founded in 1954 through the amalgamation of the university college and a medical college. Today, the university’s core research and education activities are organized across seven faculties and 38 departments.
Students interested in biology can study at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, commonly referred to as BioEnv. The department offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral-level studies, primarily in biology and environmental science. Its bachelor’s programs in biology and environmental sciences run for three years and comprise 180 higher education credits, while its master’s programs usually run for two years and comprise 120 higher education credits. The department studies living organisms and the processes that control them, as well as the relationship between humans and nature.
2. Stockholm University
Stockholm University is situated in the Swedish capital. Stockholm University College was founded in 1878 and was granted university status in 1960. The university’s education and research activities are divided into two academic areas: Human Sciences and Sciences. These areas encompass four faculties: Humanities, Law, Social Sciences, and Science.
Biology education at Stockholm University is coordinated by the Department of Biology Education, also known as BIG. The department is responsible for biology education at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, while research and postgraduate education are led by the university’s biological research departments. Its courses and programs cover biology from molecules to ecosystems. The bachelor’s programs are offered in Swedish, while the department also offers ten two-year master’s programs specializing in different areas of biology. Doctoral study opportunities are available through the relevant biological research departments.
3. Uppsala University
Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest university in the Nordic region. Initially, teaching primarily consisted of lectures in philosophy, law, and theology. Over the centuries, the university expanded its range of subjects and developed into a comprehensive research university.
Biology-related undergraduate education at Uppsala University is coordinated by the Biology Education Centre. The center organizes education in biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and environmental biology. Its programs include a bachelor’s program in biology and molecular biology, which is taught in Swedish, and a master’s program in biology with seven specializations. At the doctoral level, the Biology PhD School brings together students across the university’s three biology research departments.
4. Lund University
Lund University was founded in 1666. The university has three campuses in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg and approximately 46,000 students. It offers study opportunities at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as exchange studies and distance learning.
Lund University’s Department of Biology was founded in 2010 through a merger of five departments, although biology has a much longer history at the university. When Lund University was founded in 1666, medical students studied botany, which is part of biology. Today, the department covers a broad range of areas, from molecules and protein production to ecological systems, and from genetic code to behavior. It also collaborates across fields including medicine, technology, physics, chemistry, and philosophy.
5. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Situated in the Swedish capital, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm was established in 1827. KTH was ranked 78th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It offers more than 60 master’s programs taught in English.
For students interested in biology-related fields, KTH offers biotechnology-focused pathways rather than a standalone biology degree program. Its master’s options in biotechnology include Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, and Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. At the doctoral level, the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health offers a doctoral program in Biotechnology. KTH’s Theoretical Chemistry and Biology unit belongs to the Department of Chemistry and conducts research in areas including quantum molecular-modeling software, energy conversion, and light-matter interactions.
We hope that this article on the best universities to study biology in Sweden was helpful. To learn more, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
