FAQ for exchange students
Application and admission to exchange studies
Courses and schedules
After my exchange
Application and admission to exchange studies
Who can apply for exchange studies at Uppsala University?
You can be an exchange student at Uppsala University if your home university / department has an exchange agreement with Uppsala University and selects you for an exchange programme.
If your university does not have an agreement with Uppsala University, you can find information on how to enroll here as a Master, Bachelor's student or on how to come here as a free-moving student.
How do I apply for an exchange at Uppsala University?
First, you need to be selected and nominated by your home university / department. Each institution has their own procedures so you need to ask your home university / department about their selection process.
Once your home university / department has sent Uppsala University the names of the selected students, then Uppsala University sends these students all the necessary information about applying for an exchange.
What is the difference between university-wide and departmental exchange agreements?
There are two types of exchange agreements:
- University-wide: the agreement is between your home university and Uppsala University. It covers students from many different majors and they can take courses in many different departments. At Uppsala, these exchange students are supported by the Unit for International Mobility and can turn to mobility@uu.se with questions or problems.
- Departmental: the agreement is between your major’s department at your home university and the corresponding department at Uppsala University. It covers students from one major and they can take courses in a smaller selection of departments. At Uppsala, these exchange students are supported by the relevant department for all aspects of their program.
If you are not sure about the exchange program you are participating in, ask your home university or write to mobility@uu.se. They will direct you to the relevant coordinator.
When do I apply?
You need to check with your home university / department what their selection deadline is. Then, if you are nominated for a university-wide exchange for the autumn semester or the academic year, you can apply until 1 April for Business courses and 15 April for all other courses. If you are nominated for a university-wide exchange for the spring semester, you can apply until 1 October for Business courses and 15 October for all other courses.
If you are selected for a departmental agreement, the department will send you information about their own deadline.
What level of English is required of exchange students? What language certificates, such as TOEFL, should I submit?
Uppsala University expects exchange students to be able to communicate in English at least at the B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (see definition below). No language certificate or language exam is required. You will be asked to evaluate your language of English in the application form. Your exchange coordinator at your home institution might also be asked to confirm that you can communicate in English at the B2 level.
Definition of level B2: “Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.”
When do I receive an answer?
If you are coming through a university-wide exchange agreement, you will receive an admission notification by e-mail in mid-June for the autumn semester or full year and at the end of November or early December for the spring semester.
If you are coming through a departmental agreement, please check with your coordinator as these dates can vary.
Who is my contact person at Uppsala University?
If you are coming through a university-wide exchange agreement, your main point of contact will be the Unit for International Mobility at mobility@uu.se.
If you are coming through a departmental agreement, your main contact will be the relevant department.
I need to have my Learning Agreement signed. Whom can I ask?
If you are coming through a university-wide exchange agreement, please e-mail mobility@uu.se with a scanned copy of your Learning Agreement.
If you are coming through a departmental agreement, please contact your departmental coordinator.
What are the dates for the autumn and spring semesters at Uppsala University?
See the academic calendar at Uppsala University. Please note that there are no formal holiday periods during a semester.
I will be studying at Uppsala University during the autumn semester. Can I go home before Christmas?
The autumn semester officially ends around mid-January so you can expect to have classes and exams during the first two weeks of January. Please check our Academic Calendar for more information.
Courses & schedules
What courses can I study?
All courses in the Course catalogue for exchange students are open to incoming exchange students on university-wide exchange agreements but may have specific entry requirements. When you apply, you include your transcript of records so that Uppsala University can determine if you are eligible for the courses you selected.
Can I apply for courses taught in Swedish?
Yes, but you have to prove that your level of Swedish is good enough to take university-level courses.
Why should I send in eight (8) course choices with my application? That’s too many!
We cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the first courses you request since the number of spaces available can vary and you might not meet the entry requirement. In that case, we check the other courses you have requested. If you do not send in eight choices, we might have to contact you and there can be a delay in admitting you.
How can I create my student account? When will I get my student ID?
Students will be able to activate the Student ID and student account upon arrival at Uppsala University at the Segerstedt Building either during the welcome days or during the orientation week. A formal ID is required so please bring your passport with you.
If you are unable to activate your Student ID and account during the recommended days of arrival or orientation week please follow these procedures.
How do I register for my courses?
Shortly after we send you your Certificate of Acceptance, we send you the Letter of Admissions with a listing of the courses that you are admitted to. But you also need to be registered for these courses. Course registration takes place during the first week of class, if not already coordinated by the relevant department. Registration procedures vary between departments and information about specific procedures will be available once you have activated your student account.
For questions about course registration, e-mail mobility@uu.se if your exchange through a university-wide exchange agreement or your department coordinator if you are an exchange student through a departmental agreement.
How do I know what book(s) or reading(s) will be included in the course(s)?
Syllabi with reading lists are available on each course page, which you can find in the Course catalogue for exchange students.
For academic questions, please contact the relevant department directly. Contact details can be found at the bottom of the course description.
Can I change courses? How can I change courses?
Normally, you cannot change courses. Uppsala University does not have an "add-and-drop period." Please note that the last day to withdraw from a course is three weeks after the course begins.
For university-wide exchange students: Once the Letter of Admissions has ben sent, courses are fixed. Therefore, course changes can only be made in cases of severe overlap of schedules or for specific academic reasons that would have a negative impact on the student's future studies after the exchange. This must be confirmed by the coordinator at the home university by email to mobility@uu.se.
For departmental exchange students: Contact your department if you have questions regarding changing courses.
Can I drop a course?
The deadline to drop a course is three weeks after the course starts. Please note that the minimum course credit is 22,5 credits (higher education credits) per semester or 30 credits for students requiring a residence permit for Sweden.
What is a full-time study load?
A full-time study load at Uppsala University is 30 credits (higher education credits) per semester.
What is the maximum number of courses / credits I can take?
As an exchange student, you can take a maximum of 37.5 credits (higher education credits) per semester at Uppsala University. This exceeds the full-time study load of 30 credits (higher education credits) and equals a work load of 125%.
What is the minimum number of courses / credits I can take?
Exchange students with an EU/EEA citizenship need to be registered for at least 22,5 credits (higher education credits) per semester. Exchange students with a non EU/EEA citizenship need to be registered for at least 30 credits (higher education credits) per semester. This is due to the fact that the Swedish Migration Agency requires students to be accepted to full–time studies to issue residence permits.
Can I take a Swedish course?
Yes, you can! Uppsala University offers a number of Swedish courses, such as the Basic Swedish courses 1-4, throughout the autumn and spring semesters. You apply for these courses by including them in your exchange application. More information here.
My courses overlap, what do I do?
The first step is to check your schedule and verify what is mandatory or not. Then speak to the professors responsible for the courses. Do they overlap all the time, or only a few times throughout the semester? If they only overlap sometimes, your professors might find a solution. If they overlap all the time, you can email mobility@uu.se and ask for a course change.
Where do I find the entry requirement for courses?
Entry requirements are listed on the syllabus for each course and are accessible in the Course catalogue for exchange students.
Can I study part-time?
Uppsala University requires exchange students to be registered for a minimum of 22.5 credits (higher education credits) per term. However, the Swedish Migration Agency requires non EU/EEA students to be accepted to full-time studies, which means 30 credits per term. Failure to meet the Swedish Migration Agency's requirement will result in your residence permit application to be denied.
How do I know what the study pace of my courses are?
At Uppsala University, students take courses consecutively, one after the other, rather than in parallel. This system might be quite different from what you are used to at your home university so you should read the information on course mapping and how you plan your semester.
What is the grading system?
See the grading systems used at Uppsala University. Please note that ECTS grades are not given due to a 2010 decision by the Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University.
Can my Pass/Fail grade be converted into another grading system?
No, it is not possible for Uppsala University to use any other grading scales than the one determined by the department in question. We cannot convert the grades you receive here into another grading system.
After my exchange
How can I get my Transcript of Records?
Go to "My Ladok". From there, you can download a secure, verifiable Transcript of Records. If you send it to your home university, let them know they can use the link and verification code at the bottom of the page to verify that the document is authentic.
Please note that professors and departments have up to 5 weeks after the official end of the term to submit their grades. Initially contact the department where you studied directly for any problems or missing results.
Uppsala University Transcripts of Records do not include Failed courses.