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Who we are

For the North – For the World

The University of Lapland is the northernmost university in the European Union. We combine science and art at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. The North and its global allegations are at the core of our work.

Our academic fields are education, law, art and design, social sciences, and northern and Arctic issues. As a research-based higher education institution, we offer students and scholars the opportunity to pursue academic excellence at all levels – from Bachelor to PhD studies and beyond.

Our strategic focus is on

  • global Arctic responsibility
  • sustainable tourism
  • future services and reachability.
Facts and figures of the University of Lapland: The University of Lapland is founded on 1979. We have 730 staff members, 4,650 degree students, and 3,150 non-degree students. Our 4 faculties are: art and design, education, law and social sciences. In addition, we host the Arctic Centre and the Multidimensional Tourism Institute.
University Management

Rector and Vice-Rectors

The Rector manages the university's operations. In addition, the university has two Vice-Rectors: Vice-Rector for Education and Vice-Rector for Research. The Rector and the Vice-Rectors are appointed for a maximum five-year term.

University Board

The Board is the highest decision-making body of the university. The Board is composed of 11 members, five of whom are appointed from outside the university and six represent the university community.

University Collegium

The University Collegium has 24 members representing professors and other teachers, researchers, and other staff members as well as students.

Key networks

Rovaniemi in autumn colours

The Lapland University Consortium

The Lapland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland form the Lapland University Consortium (LUC). Our profile focuses on research on Arctic and northern change and Arctic competence. The LUC Strategy underpins our operations.

People taking part in an UArctic meeting in an auditorium

University of the Arctic

Our membership in UArctic, a cooperative network of Arctic universities, offers us opportunities for education, research and networking around Arctic issues. We are one of the founding members of the network as well as home to the international UArctic Secretariat.

Arctic Five logo

Arctic Five

The Arctic Five is an alliance of five northern universities based in Finland, Sweden and Norway that provides and shares knowledge, education and innovations to promote the sustainable development of our shared region and the Arctic.