Karlstad University

Knowledge for society

1 400

Total staff

90

Programs

18 700

Undergraduate students

280

PhD students

At Karlstad University, the distance between knowledge and impact is short. Together, we work towards a better society. We challenge the established and explore the unknown.

Openness and curiosity shape how we engage with each other and the world around us. We foster close connections between people, between disciplines, and between education and research. Democracy, equality, diversity, tolerance and sustainability guide our decisions.

You are an important part of the University.

What you do makes a difference in society.
Together, we shape the future.

Jerker Moodysson

What we do

Knowledge for society and issues related to the society of the future are at the focus of what we do.

This is what drives us and motivates us every day. Knowledge for society also says something about why we study, teach and conduct research in the areas that we do.

Society needs Karlstad University.

What characterizes us

Employees and students usually describe the atmosphere at Karlstad University as different from other universities. There is a friendliness and openness between people. This openness and willingness to collaborate with others characterise the way we interact within the university as well as our relations with the outside world.

Faculty of Health, Science and Technology

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology is organized in five departments for education and research and an overarching unit for administration. We offer a broad range of programmes and a great number of courses. The research is conducted both in traditional academic subjects and in several multidisciplinary research environments.

Many projects focuses on the transformation of the present economic/technical culture which is based on consumption of non-renewable resources to a bioeconomy based on circularity of environment-friendly renewable resources.

Karlstad Business School

Karlstad Business School has approximately 130 employees. What brings us together is a deep interest in economics and business. Around 2 500 students every year choose to study programmes or courses at Karlstad Business School, either first or second cycle. Most of the academics also conduct research in one of the multidisciplinary research centres or in their subject area.

Arvika - Ingesund School of Music

Ingesund School of Music, a part of Karlstad University, is a music academy with a long-standing history and an inspiring study environment. Its roots are here in Värmland, but its outlook is international. Ingesund has many long-term collaborations with a wide range of actors in the music world and is one of Värmland's largest concert organisers.

Research areas at Karlstad University

Karlstad University offers dynamic and creative research environments that foster innovation, collaboration, and societal impact. We combine basic, single discipline research with multidisciplinary and applied research centres. Teachers are active researchers and provide new perspectives to students at courses and programmes. Our extensive doctoral programmes are well integrated into the university's research environments.

Additional Research Areas

In addition, research at Karlstad University spans several areas, such as the mental health and life circumstances of children, transformation to a circular bioeconomy, the development of the forest industry, sustainable materials, geomedia and gender studies.

CTF - The Service Research Center

The Service Research Center (CTF) is one of the internationally leading research environments in value creation through services. CTF focuses on individual, organizational and societal needs and has extensive partnerships with industry, business and the public sector. Central research areas are service innovation, service management, service experience, transformative service research, service logic and service system transformation.

Computer Science

Is committed to excellence in computer networking, IT security and privacy enhancing technologies, and software engineering. Their researchers also develop high quality network services in collaboration with industry. The research environment has successfully evolved into a multinational environment with internationally renowned researchers. Through interdisciplinary research within the focus areas and joint projects with external partners, Computer Science contributes to the technology and society in the fast growing mobile and digital world we live in.

ROSE - Research on Subject-specific Education

Research on subject-specific education explore and develop new knowledge about learning and teaching in subjects. The focus is on what happens in the classroom and on the interaction between teachers and students in the learning process. It includes how the content of teaching is selected and how different teaching methods affect and shape the subject content, from primary school to higher education. An important part of the research is to contribute to theory and practice development in schools and teacher education. The research environment has a strong position in subject didactic research, both nationally and internationally. The research environment works closely with the university's teacher education programmes.

Work with us

A workplace that's more than work!

At Karlstad University, we offer an open and welcoming environment with rich traditions and a vibrant social life.

Both students and staff describe a strong sense of community at Karlstad University — between students and lecturers, across study programmes, and among researchers working together across disciplines.

With its compact campus, Karlstad University offers a close and inclusive environment where people naturally meet and connect across disciplines and roles.

While each department has its own routines and culture, there are many centrally organised activities and events that create opportunities to connect across the university.

Working at Karlstad University

Swedish universities are founded on the values of academic freedom, collaboration, and trust. Karlstad University, including the Ingesund School of Music, is a public authority with a high degree of institutional autonomy. As all Swedish public organisations we ensure freedom of expression, public access to information and secrecy and strong anti-discrimination laws.

As an employee, you become part of a work culture where leadership is based on trust, decision-making is decentralised and collaboration across disciplines is encouraged. English is widely spoken but you will also get the opportunity to learn Swedish which is the official authority language. Certain positions require Swedish language proficiency. Knowledge of Swedish also facilitates collaboration with external partners and supports long-term integration into Swedish society and working life.

Work Life Balance

At Karlstad University, we value a sustainable work-life balance and aim to create good conditions for combining professional and personal life. Flexible working arrangements, generous holiday agreements, and parental leave benefits are complemented by health-promoting initiatives that support wellbeing and long-term sustainability.

Your career and professional development

The university is one of the largest employers in Värmland, with over 1,400 employees. Here, a wide range of professional groups work together, and there are many opportunities to build a career and develop within research, education and administrative support.

Welcome to Sweden, Värmland, Karlstad and Arvika!

Karlstad University and Ingesund School of Music are situated in Sweden and the county of Värmland — a place to live, work and thrive. Learn more about us!

Sweden is internationally recognised for its innovative and collaborative work culture. Here you can pursue both a fulfilling career and enjoy a rich personal life. Equality is at the heart of Swedish society and employees benefit from a minimum of 25 days of vacation, over one year of parental leave and general healthcare system.

County

Värmland

Karlstad is the capital city of Värmland and Arvika (where Ingesund School of Music is situated) lies 80 km west of Karlstad. The county of Värmland is situated in the south middle of Sweden and is known for its rich culture of storytelling, music and arts as well as its wild nature. In the south, you will find the archipelago municipalities by the shores of Lake Vänern, with boating and an unbroken horizon. Here in Värmland, you have great opportunities to work in areas such as healthcare, tech, manufacturing, or with future solutions in bioeconomy, technology, and innovation.

City

Karlstad

Karlstad is the county seat of Värmland and is located where the delta of the Klarälven River meets Lake Vänern, Europe's third-largest lake. Karlstad Municipality has around 100,000 inhabitants, and within the municipal boundaries there are both urban and rural areas. The city is centrally located, halfway between Stockholm, Oslo, and Gothenburg. It is home to a large number of national government agencies and a successful service sector. Traditionally, the region has been strong in basic industries such as the forest-based bioeconomy, steel, and engineering. In recent decades, these have been joined by other developing industries. Karlstad University maintains close collaboration with the business community and the public sector in the region in both education and research.

Town

Arvika

Arvika, the home of the Ingesund School of Music, has a long history of a vibrant cultural life. Musicians, artists, and craftspeople have lived and worked side by side here since the turn of the nineteenth century, and continue to do so today. Cultural events follow one another throughout the year, with activities arranged for all ages and interests. Nature offers opportunities for a varied outdoor life, with magnificent forests and numerous lakes.

HR Excellence in Research

At Karlstad University, we work actively towards creating a stimulating work environment and good conditions for our researchers. We strive towards fair and transparent recruitment as well as favourable professional development for researchers. The further development of favourable conditions for researchers is a long-term commitment in line with the University's goal of increased internationalisation, as well as of being an attractive employer. Karlstad University has received the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission.

Dual career programme for partners from other countries

If you are staying for at least two years, a relocating partner can take part in the university's relocation programme through Euraxess Sweden.

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