Housing

There are many ways to find somewhere to live. You can live in a corridor, as an lodger, in a student apartment or rent a private room or apartment. Depending on your citizenship, whether you are going to study at the Master’s level, Bachelor’s level or if you want to come to Uppsala University as an exchange student, different rules apply for housing.

Students from non-EU/EEA countries
If you are a fee-paying student, that is, a citizen of a country outside of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland, then you can benefit from our housing guarantee. The housing guarantee also applies to scholarship recipients.

Students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland
If you are a non-fee paying student then you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation. This can be a very competitive process, so start your search for a place to live early.

Exchange students
Formal exchange students from exchange agreements are given priority for student housing. Find out more about student accommodation for exchange students.

Thousands of new students move to Uppsala to begin their studies each year. As a result, finding appropriate accommodation can be very competitive for non-fee-paying students.

The demand for housing is always greatest during August and September, so start your search for a place to live early and put some time, energy and thought into it. Here are some websites to get you started:

The housing portal Studentboet
This website includes a list of all the housing companies in Uppsala, and a large collection of second-hand contracts ranging in type, price and availability.

Uppsala's Student Nations
Each of Uppsala’s 13 student nations has its own housing for members. Read more about accommodation on each of the nations' websites, and take this into consideration when choosing which nation to join.

Uppsala Bostadsförmedling
Through the communal housing queue administered by Uppsala municipality (Uppsala Bostadsförmedling) you can apply for student housing. Rikshem and Uppsalahem are the largest providers of student accommodation in Uppsala and all of their housing is applied for through this site.

Like many housing companies in Sweden, Uppsala Bostadsförmedling has a queue system, and available accommodation goes to the applicant with the largest amount of queue days. It is therefore important that you register for their queue as soon as possible. International students who do not have a Swedish personal identity number are also able to receive housing from Uppsala Bostadsförmedling.

Blocket
Blocket is a popular Swedish website where people sell a wide variety of things, including accommodation. While the website is in Swedish, you can find advertisements for second-hand contracts under the category Bostad. Many students also find housing on social media such as Facebook's Marketplace.

Be cautious of scam artists

Unfortunately, there have been several instances of fraud in connection to second-hand housing advertisements, especially around the start of the semester. You can avoid being scammed by declining to make any payments until a housing contract has been signed by both parties.

• Student rooms are usually single rooms in a corridor, area 12–18 m2 and with their own WC and shower, although there are some exceptions. The kitchen is usually shared with other students (4–12) living on the same corridor. Rooms may be furnished with a bed and mattress, a desk, chairs and a bookcase. Students must keep their rooms in good order and not damage furniture, etc., since they will be responsible for paying for any damage made. There will usually be an inspection before you leave your room on departure. Male and female students live on the same corridor. This is the only type of student housing available through the housing guarantee.

• There are also rooms in “doublets” – a sort of twin room arrangement with an appointed room mate. The housing company can sometimes arrange for two people who know each other to share the same room.

• Flats/apartments with 2–4 rooms, kitchen and bathroom. The flats are principally for families and most often unfurnished, except for larger kitchen appliances.

Payment of rent

Payment of rent in Sweden takes place on a monthly basis. Rent must be paid by the last weekday of any month, to cover the rent for the following month. Your rent usually includes electricity, water, use of a kitchen with appliances and a washing-machine/laundry room.