Uppsala's pharmaceutical programmes in increasing demand

A total of 411,200 people have applied for Higher Education starting in the fall semester of 2025, an increase of almost 6,000 applicants compared to a year earlier, according to the Swedish Council for Higher Education. Among the programmes that experience an upward trend is Uppsala University's Master of Science Programme in Pharmacy, counting to 1,346 applicants for the fall semester, which – with the exception of the pandemic years – is the highest number in the last decade.

“We view this development positively, which in turn continues to inspire our work to spread knowledge about the pharmaceutical profession. We recently initiated webinars for study and career counselors at upper secondary level, our student interns inform pharmacy customers about the profession, we visit schools and welcome an increasing number of classes to BMC. In June, we will participate at Järvaveckan for the first time, which will hopefully make even more potential students aware of the many career paths that a pharmacy degree opens up, says Programme Coordinator Lisa Carreras Fredriksson.

A positive trend is also noted at Uppsala University's Complementary Programme for Pharmacists with a Foreign Degree, attracting 76 applicants for the autumn semester 2025, an increase of 15 percent compared to autumn 2024. These are undoubtedly well received news at the Swedish pharmacy chains, where the need for the participants' competencies remains great.

“Our target group has already completed an education and often worked as a pharmacist in a foreign country. However, many are not aware of the Complementary Programme, and we have for some time worked to inform the group via personal contacts, social media and the Swedish Public Employment Service, which is now having effect. As of 2025, Uppsala University will only offer the Programme with start in autumn, but if the number of applicants continues to increase, we might in the long term have to reconsider this decision,” says Parvaneh Aghazari, National Programme coordinator

A small decline in the number of applicants is noted at the Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy, counting to 395 applications for the autumn. This is despite the fact that the future for prescriptionists remains bright throughout Sweden according to the report Future Outlook – Where to find jobs for graduates in 2030, which is based on the Saco union's forecasts for the labour market situation the coming five-year period.

“Sweden needs more prescriptions, which makes the downward trend a challenge for our entire society. At Uppsala University, we work actively to increase public knowledge of the profession, inform potential students about the opportunities a degree offers and attract students with genuine motivation to work as a prescriptionist. In the fall of 2026, we hope to be able to broaden the eligibility to also include the social science program, which we believe will generate great added value, so there is reason to look positively to the future,” says Programme coordinator Emma Lundkvist.

Text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt, Ida Renström a o