Student exchange
As a student at the Department for Biology Education you have great opportunities to go on an exchange to a large number of places in the world. Here we mainly present the IBG exchange programme and the universities that IBG has exchange agreements with.
If you've got any questions regarding exchange studies, please contact the IBG coordinator for student mobility exchange@ibg.uu.se.
IBG's exchange programmes
As a biology student, you have the opportunity to spend part of your time during your studies abroad. IBG has an exchange programme in biology that is available for all students who fulfil the qualification requirements. As an exchange student, you don’t pay any extra tuition fees. Most of our agreements are within the framework of the ERASMUS programme and give an opportunity to study abroad at another European university during one or two semesters. You will as an exchange student also receive an ERASMUS scholarship.
IBG’s exchange programme includes the opportunity to do courses as well as a Degree project in biology. However, the options may differ depending on the hosting University. While some of our partner universities offer only regular courses others only offer the possibility to do a Degree project, and for some both choices are possible. If you want to go abroad only for the Degree project, you could instead apply for an Erasmus traineeship.
All our partner universities offer courses given in English, but the amount may vary between different universities. Generally, courses at the advanced level are given in English to a larger extent than undergraduate courses. The degree project can always be done in English.
Application criteria for the IBG exchange programme
To apply for the IBG exchange programme you need to have studied biology/biotechnology or similar fields at Uppsala University. To fulfil the criteria, you need to have most of your courses completed.
- Students in a master's programme need to have completed 30 credits at the time of the application. Bachelor students from UU can apply for exchange studies from year one of the master's programme.
- Students at the Master's Programme in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering can apply for exchange studies for their 4th year, with completed biology courses from the first five semesters.
- Students in the Bachelor's programme in biology need to have completed courses of at least 60 credits from the first two years, of which at least 45 credits are in biology. We recommend bachelor students apply for exchange studies for their third year.
- Students in the teacher education programmes need to complete biology courses equivalent to the given set of basic courses within the programme.
Other students who have studied biology at Uppsala University with the equivalent knowledge are also welcome to apply.
Application for exchange studies within the IBG agreements
The application deadline for the following academic year (both autumn and spring semester) is February 15. However, in the summer/beginning of autumn we will announce remaining positions (if any) for the following spring. The deadline for those applications is September 15 (except for applications to Bern, Leiden, Prague and ETH Zürich that needs to be submitted by September 1st).
The following is needed for your application:
- Academic Purpose Statement: For applications 2024/2025 the APS has been replaced with some questions that you answer directly in the application form.
What are your expectations of the courses you selected? How does the exchange fit in with your education, both when it comes to content and timing? What do you hope to get out of the exchange, both from an academic and a personal perspective? - Transcript of records (from all your university studies)
- University selection for the exchange: You have the possibility to select up to four universities. List the universities in order of priority or, if you wish, prioritize all universities equally.
- Course proposal: Is needed for each university you apply to. Often only the previous year's courses are available on the partner university's websites. Make your choice from one of these courses. You will make your final choice once you have been accepted, and sometimes when you arrive at the exchange university.
- Photo
- CV
In order to apply for the IBG exchange programme, start by choosing Application for outgoing students -Department specific exchanges TekNat. Later in the application, in the section ”Framework”, choose Erasmus SMS för for all partner universities except for those in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, there you instead need to select subject specific student exchange. At “Department responsible for the exchange”, choose Biology Education Centre.
In case of a competition for exchange spots, the selection is mainly based on suitability for a specific university, but also an overall appraisal based on grades, study pace, the APS and also students commitments, such as taking part in welcoming arrangements for new students.
For any questions, you are welcome to contact exchange@ibg.uu.se or book an appointment.
Other international opportunities
Uppsala University has general exchange programmes with many universities on all continents. Those agreements are administrated by the central unit for international mobility. They also administrate applications for Erasmus traineeships.
International opportunities through the university
The Faculty of Science and Technology also offers exchange opportunities within Europe.