Exchange studies
To go abroad as an exchange student for one or two semesters is a great opportunity to meet new people and experience new cultures. You can learn new languages, study at another university with a different perspective, and grow a great deal as a person. As a programme student at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, you have many opportunities to fulfil this great ambition.
Why should I go on exchange?
- You learn and grow a lot both personally and academically.
- You do not have to pay tuition fees at the host university and you still qualify for CSN student aid.
- It works well with your study plan as you have 60 credits to study any course that interests you. Some courses might even be equivalent to the courses that we offer at the department.
- You will get help with the administrative processes, and it is not difficult to apply.
Where can I apply?
There are mainly three places you can apply for exchange: the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, the Department of Government and the Division for Internationalisation.
Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
The Department have a few exchange agreements that are open for our programme students. You apply one semester in advance of your planned exchange and the application is open at the beginning of the semester.
At the moment we have the following agreements:
- Leiden University College The Hague, The Netherlands (Bachelor's level)
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia (Bachelor's level)
- University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Bachelor'slevel, via the Department of Governments agreement. Only open for application for autumn exchange, you apply during spring)
- Brandeis University, United States (Master's level)
Department of Government
The Department of Government has many exchange agreements, which can also be open to our programme students depending on the course you are currently taking/have taken. You apply one semester in advance of your planned exchange and application is usually open at the beginning of the semester.
Division for Internationalisation
At the Division for Internationalisation, you can find the largest amount of exchange agreements and partner universities all over the world. They open for applications two times per academic year and it is open for all students at Uppsala University. You apply approximately one year in advance of your planned exchange. Application dates are usually in October and April.
Note. Application to partner universities located in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America opens primarily during the autumn application round, and to partner universities located in Africa, Oceania and South America primarily during the spring application round.
Applying through the department’s agreements
How and when do I apply?
You need to be a programme student at the Department. You should be studying full-time at Uppsala University at the time of the application.
Please note that the best time for you to go on exchange would be:
- Bachelor students: your third or fourth semester – apply during your second or third semester
- Master students: your third semester – apply during your second semester
Specific information for scholarship holders
Rotary Peace Fellows are requested to take 120 credits in courses given by Uppsala University. Holders of other scholarships should check with the organisation regarding possible limitations with exchange studies abroad.
Programme students will receive information when the application is open. You should submit the completed application form together with the required documents before the deadline.
What can I study during exchange?
As long as you are studying at one of the approved partner universities of the Department, you can study any academic course as an elective course in the programme, as long as it has no overlap with your previous studies at the university level. Since you will be taking one semester of exchange studies, you must take a total of credits equivalent to 30 credits in the Swedish system of credits.
For Bachelor programme students, it is also possible to study courses that can be transferred as equivalent courses in Peace and Conflict, meaning equivalent to B-level in Peace and Conflict Studies.
Please consult the approved course list if you are interested in doing so. However, it is very important to be aware that courses offered at our partner universities can change, and that it can be challenging to have to limit yourself to certain relevant courses and at the same time arrange courses so that you have a reasonable level of workload throughout the semester.
It is therefore very important to be flexible regarding courses. Studying elective courses gives you more freedom to lay out your exchange semester in the way that suits you the best. It is also possible to take one semester of academic leave of absence for exchange studies.
How do I finance my exchange?
Exchange students do not have to pay tuition fees to the host university. This means you pay the same tuition to Uppsala University during your exchange. There can however be other compulsory fees, for example, student association fees.
CSN
For those of you who are entitled to the CSN student loan, exchange studies qualify for CSN. You will get the same amount as you are getting in Sweden, and have the option of applying for more. Read more at the CSN webpage (in Swedish).
Scholarships
If you are going on an ERASMUS exchange, then you will be able to receive an ERASMUS scholarship.
You can also apply for a travel scholarship through the Scholarships Office.
Insurance
During your exchange, you will be covered by the insurance Kammarkollegiet Student UT. This is acceptable in most of the partner universities. If it is not, then you will have to pay for the compulsory insurance plan. You will receive this information beforehand.
How is the selection done?
Selection is based on academic results. It is done by comparing the amount of academic credits completed with the grade ‘VG’ of all the programme courses that you have completed.
Within a week after the deadline, some applicants may be asked to attend a brief interview. The selected applicants will be notified and given two days to accept or decline the offer. Nominated students will be assisted with their applications to the host university.
How do I transfer credits after exchange?
Provided that you took academic courses at one of the approved partner universities which are not too similar to the courses that you have already taken at Uppsala University, you will usually have the possibility of transferring the credits that you have obtained. You should keep the course description, course reading list, and your transcripts, and then apply for a transfer.
Would I get help with accommodation during exchange?
Most partner universities can help you with housing but do not guarantee it. You can live on campus or off campus, in student dorms or private housing, depending on your preference.
Application dates and documents
Application for exchange studies during Autumn 2024 is open: 15–30 Jan, 2024.
Information documents:
- Exchange options further explained for Bachelor Programme students (pdf) Pdf, 144 kB.
- Partner universities information (pdf) Pdf, 199 kB.
- Approved courses equivalent to Peace and Conflict B (pdf) Pdf, 150 kB.
- Extended course list for Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (pdf) Pdf, 140 kB.
Apply
Please select "Application for outgoing students - Department specific exchanges HUMSAM" and then "Department of Peace and Conflict Research" to come to the right form.
Contact
Chris Chau, chris.chau@pcr.uu.se, 018 471 2379