Application instructions for exchange studies

The first thing you should do before you begin your application is to think about the following:

• Does my programme allow me to do an exchange semester? Does my programme include a free semester where an exchange will fit?
• If I take freestanding courses, will an exchange fit in with my planned degree?
• Do I have enough higher education credits at Uppsala University (in my home programme?) so that I can be flexible with my courses during my exchange?
• If I am not accepted to a specific course at my host university will I still be able to carry out my planned exchange?
• Are the courses I want to study available at the universities I want to attend?
• If I will study in a different language, will that affect the quality of my learning?
• How many credits are the courses I want to study worth?
• Will I be able to received credits at Uppsala University for the courses I will take during my exchange?
• Does the university I wish to attend have a maximum number of allowed credits, and if so will this affect my choice of courses?

The second thing you need to do is to review the universities avaliable for application.

In the exchange agreement database of the centrally administered exchange agreements, there is important information about, among other things:

• the subjects covered by the agreement
• whether the agreement applies to courses at undergraduate, master or doctoral level
• links to course catalogues
• language of instruction and whether any form of certificate of language skills is required
• academic calendar
• ancillary services such as accommodation, welcome arrangements, etc.
• reports from previous exchange students

At the start of the application period, a link to the application form is published on the page about exchange studies. When the application opens, a list of applicable universities is published. You must complete your application with the following information:

1. Choice of university
2. Course proposals
3. Transcript of Records
4. Certificate of Registration
5. Language test results where applicable
6. Certificate of student involvement where applicable
   

1. Choice of university

You may apply to a maximum of four universities, which you will select in the online application. A list of applicable universities for a specific application round is published when the application is opened. By selecting multiple universities, you stand a better chance of being assigned an exchange place. However, only apply to universities where you can truly consider studying.

2. Course proposals

For each university you apply to, you must also propose specific courses corresponding to full-time studies for one (1) semester. You are expected to study full-time (30 credits) during your exchange studies

The purpose of proposing a specific course is to give you an idea of the courses available at the universities you are applying to. Use of the exchange agreements database displaying all centrally administered exchange agreements to find information about the following:

• The scope of the agreement: The subjects covered by the agreement.
• Permitted academic level for studies: Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD level.
• Converting credits: At Uppsala University, full-time studies for one semester gives 30 credits. Universities abroad use different units. Help is available here with translating their point systems to Swedish credits to help you find courses corresponding to 30 credits.
• Language of instruction: The language(s) of instruction at the university.
• Course catalogue: Here are links to help you find information about courses on our partner universities' websites.
• Previous student experiences: Students from earlier exchanges describe how they experienced their studies. See the Exchange Reports tab.

Good to know when you are looking for courses:

• Your course proposal is just that – a proposal, but when we nominate you to the host university, we base it on the subject you indicated under the "Intended study area" section in the application. Exactly when and how you make your final course selection depends on which university you go to. At some universities, your course selection is finalised before you depart, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis at the beginning of the semester. It's also the partner university that decides if you are eligible to take a course.
• During your exchange, you may study courses that can be accredited to your intended degree at Uppsala University. For the credit transfer to work as well as possible, it's important to maintain contact with the study advisor in your department for advice on what to bear in mind when selecting courses during your exchange. Read more about transfer of credits.
• Some partner universities have course catalogues; others do not, so you must look for courses by finding the education programmes and looking at the programme structure. Often, up-to-date course catalogues will be lacking for the particular semester you are applying for, in which case base your choice on the latest course catalogue.
• Sometimes a course will have prerequisites. Find the course specified as a prerequisite and make your own assessment of whether you have studied the requisite content or not.

3. Transcript of Records

Attach a results certificate from Ladok. If you have studied at other Swedish universities, attach a national results certificate. If you have completed a full degree course such as a Bachelor's degree at a foreign university you include the certificate in your application.

Make sure that any subsidiary courses with top grades are shown on the Transcript of Records. If they are not visible, they can't be counted. We do not accept any additions of top grades that may arise after the application has closed.

4. Certificate of Registration

If you're applying for an exchange through the Unit for International Mobility, you must have 30 registered credits, i.e. be an active student at the time of application. Support this with a Certificate of Registration from Ladok, which you can download yourself. You may also contact your department or Student Services for assistance.

5. Language test results where applicable

If you are applying to a university that requires language test by the time of application to the Unit for International Mobility, attach the certificate to your application.

Information on if the language tests needs to be provided directly to us, or at a later stage when you apply for courses at your host university, can be found in the section General Language Requirements in the university information in the exchange agreement database.

6. Certificate of student involvement where applicable

If you have been active as a mentor, buddy or participated in welcoming activities for new students at Uppsala University, you can ask the organisation responsible for the activity to provide you with a certificate confirming your completed assignment.

If you have held a student representative position for any semester, this must be substantiated with specific certificates signed by authorised signatories. Contact your student union or your nation for the correct certificate.

Be sure to save the downloadable pdf after submitting your application.

After the final application date has passed, the following will take place: We will confirm receipt of your application by email 2-3 days after the final application date. If you do not hear anything from us, check your spam as the confirmation may have ended up there. If it is not there either, contact the Unit for International Mobility at mobility@uu.se.

Should any questions arise concerning your application, you will be contacted by the Unit for International Mobility within 1-2 weeks of the final application date by email or telephone. It is important that you monitor your email and telephone during that period.

Allocation of places

All applications are sorted according to selection group, top grades, meritorious assignments, and lottery numbers. Then the allocation of spots takes place. Since we have many applicants, everyone needs to be assigned a lottery number so that those who end up in the same position on the list can be ranked.

You will be notified by email approximately four weeks after the final application date if you have received a place or are on the reserve list. Those who receive an offer have just over a week to accept or reject it. If you are offered an exchange place, you must accept the offer within the specified time limit. It is important that you check your emails (including spam) and that you reply in time. A failure to answer will be taken as a rejection. Everyone rejecting the offer leaves the application procedure. It is therefore not possible to reject an offer and go on the reserve list to another university. It is also not possible to accept an offer and remain on the reserve list to a higher ranked university.

1. You will be contacted by the Unit for International Mobility with information on the next step of the application process. The application processes and deadlines at our various partner universities differs, so carefully read all instructions sent to you. If you have any questions about the application, contact your coordinator at the Unit for International Mobility first, unless you are advised otherwise.
2. You will receive an invitation to a “pre-application meeting" with the Unit for International Mobility to find out more about your application to your host university.
3. Before applying to your host university, review your course choices again. If you plan to accredit your studies as part of your education, contact the study advisor in your department to see which courses you may study.
4. If your exchange is under an agreement that entitles you to a grant, you will be contacted by us with information on how to proceed with this process.
5. After the host university has received and processed your application, you will receive an admission notification. In some cases, the admission notification is sent electronically to you, and in cases where it is sent to the Unit for International Mobility, we will contact you. Please note that the processing time for applications varies greatly between host universities. It may therefore take some time before you receive your admission notification. We offer an opportunity for an education, which in turn takes place on the terms of the partner university. Please note that it is always the host university that decides whether or not to admit you.

After admission notice from host university

When your admission notice has arrived, it is time to apply for a visa, accommodation etc.

You will be invited to attend a "pre-departure meeting" with the Unit for International Mobility, where you can meet other outbound students and get more practical information about your exchange.

Insurance during your exchange

All students who go on exchange studies via Uppsala University are covered by the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency Kammarkollegiet's Student OUT insurance. For some universities, additional insurance may need to be purchased. Read more in the exchange agreement database under the section "Insurance" to see what applies to each university.

More information

• About the Student OUT insurance on Kammarkollegiet's website
• About the European Health Insurance card on the Swedish Social Insurance Agency's website