Record interest in the Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy • Up 573 per cent

Ahead of the autumn semester of 2026, Uppsala University has broadened the eligibility for the Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy. Students from the Social Science programme at upper secondary school, among others, are now eligible to apply. Statistics from the Swedish Council for Higher Education confirm the success of this initiative: the number of first-choice applicants rises to 377 from last year’s 56. In turn, the total number of applicants increases from 396 to 1,263.

“These fantastic numbers are far better than we ever dared to dream of. Our stated vision was to reach two applicants per seat within five years. We have now achieved five first-choice applicants and a total of 17 applicants per seat. This places the programme among Uppsala University’s ten most sought-after – a remarkable leap from last year’s 75th place,” says Programme Chair Fredrik Jernerén.

Changes include replacing the previous requirement of Chemistry 2, Biology 2 and Physics with Natural Science B. In addition, Mathematics 4 is adjusted to Mathematics 2. These updates open the programme to pharmacy technician students and career changers who do not wish to complete a preparatory year of natural sciences. The dramatic rise in applications is also welcomed by current students.

“The Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy is a broad education with exceptionally skilled teachers, and a degree that opens up numerous options. It is highly rewarding to see that information about the new entry requirements has reached prospective students and produced such positive results. We can now begin preparing to welcome this autumn’s new students in the very best way,” says Wilma Gustafsson, student representative on the Programme Committee.

At the Faculty of Pharmacy, the teaching staff are working to further develop course content to meet the needs of incoming students. The ambition is to optimise student completion rates and to further address Sweden’s need for licensed prescriptionists and a secure supply of drugs.

“To know that we will meet a highly motivated group of students with strong academic potential at the start of the autumn semester provides an extra and well-deserved energy boost to the extensive work we are undertaking to stand fully prepared when the new students arrive at BMC. I would also like to thank our leadership for their unwavering support throughout the entire process,” says Programme Coordinator Emma Lundkvist.

text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt