Requirements for Appointment

The vice-chancellor (rektor) of a higher education institution – a university (universitet) or university college (högskola) - is its legal representative and responsible for its teaching, research and administration. Either a professor or a senior lecturer may become a vice-chancellor or a pro-vice-chancellor (prorektor) of a higher education institution. Usually there is a special post as chief administrative officer (förvaltningschef) which is the supreme employee beside the vice-chancellor, responsible for questions of legal, administrative and economic character.

The government appoints vice-chancellors of state universities and state university colleges for up to six years on the basis of a proposal by the board of the institution concerned; academic as well as administrative skills are taken into account in the selection. The appointment may be renewed twice, each time for a maximum of three years. The board appoints the pro-vice-chancellor of the institution. The pro-vice-chancellor is appointed for no longer than six years.

Appointments of vice-chancellors and pro-vice-chancellors of indipendent institutions are made by the institution. 

Conditions of Service

The vice-chancellor (rektor) of a higher education institution and the pro-vice-chancellor (prorektor) are employed by the institution. Conditions of service are decided by the government, regarding employment at state universities (universitet) and state university colleges (högskolor), or by the independent institution.