Practical information

Before applying for studies, traineeships or field studies abroad, we recommend that you speak with your programme coordinator or academic advisor to explore the possibilities of transferring credits.

Once you have completed your studies at the partner university, you will receive a transcript of records showing your results there. You can then apply for a Transfer of Credits to have these results counted as part of your degree at Uppsala University. Please note that Transfer of Credits for is never automatic — you must submit an application.

Here, you can find more information on the process and the documents required for applying for transfer of credits.

In the case of traineeships and field studies abroad, expectations and any procedures for the transfer of credits are normally determined as part of the department’s approval of the traineeship period.

Student grants from the Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN)

If you are eligible for student finance from The Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN), then you can also apply for student finance for your studies abroad. Applications are submitted online, and additional student loans may also be available. When applying to CSN, you should use the semester dates stated in your Letter of Admission or check the university’s factsheet or website. More information is available on the Swedish Board of Student Finance's (CSN) website.

If your traineeship abroad counts towards your studies at Uppsala University, for example as part of a thesis or internship course, you may be eligible for CSN funding. Read more at the CSN website.

If you are taking an ENLIGHT BIP course, please contact The Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN) if you have any questions.

Scholarships for exchange studies

Many of our exchange placements qualify for study and travel grants, primarily at universities within Europe. You can find more information about available grants through the Erasmus programme.

If you have not applied for exchange studies at a university where you are eligible for an Erasmus grant, you can keep an eye out for scholarships announced via the Scholarships Office at Uppsala University. Some of our partner universities also occasionally announce scholarships. See the scholarship section under each university’s description in our exchange agreement database.

Grants for Traineeships

Many traineeships abroad may be eligible for an Erasmus traineeship grant. Students of any nationality can apply. You can read more about the grants available through the Erasmus Traineeship grant.

Grants for field studies

If you are planning to conduct field studies outside Europe, you may be eligible to apply for a grant. You can read more about the avaliable grant on the Minor Field Studies page.

Visa and residence permit

A student visa and/or residence permit is usually required for the entire duration of your stay. You should apply for a visa and residence permit as soon as you have received your Letter of Admission, confrimation of traineeship placement or approval for field studies.

For traineeships abroad, it is important to note that you can apply at any time during the year if you are able to finance your stay independently. However, decisions on an Erasmus traineeship grant take a month to process, so it is important to apply for the grant as early as possible.

If you have any questions, you should contact the embassy of your host country.

Students undertaking a period abroad as part of their studies who hold a Swedish residence permit should always check how their stay abroad may affect their permit with the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). For advice on Swedish residence permits, you can also contact studypermits@uu.se.

Passport

Your passport must be valid for the entire period of your studies abroad and for at least 6 months afterward. Some countries even require validity of up to 1 year after the completion of studies or traineeship.

Vaccination

Check which vaccinations are recommended for your destination and plan them well in advance. More information is available in the vaccination guide and on the 1177 website.

Medication

Bring any medication that you normally use at home. Remember to bring enough for your entire stay, and preferably a little extra. Please verify the amount you are permitted to bring into the country.

Some medications require a medical certificate or prescription. Bring the certificate in English when travelling to your host country.

Travel information from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD)

The security situation in a country can change rapidly. Stay informed by regularly checking the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ travel advice. We also recommend downloading the UD app “Resklar” to stay up to date with travel information for your destination.

Please note that travel to countries or regions for which the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD) has issued a travel advisory may result in your grant and associated insurance not being valid.

Sweden Abroad

On the Swedish embassies’ website Sweden Abroad, you can find travel information as well as details about the support available to Swedish citizens in different countries. Swedish citizens can also register on the “Swedish List” (Svensklistan). By registering on Svensklistan, you provide information about where you are staying and how you can be contacted during your time abroad. This information may be used by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or the embassy to contact you in the event of a crisis.

Students who are not Swedish citizens are advised to follow the corresponding information and registration procedures provided by their home country’s embassy or foreign ministry.

Kammarkollegiet’s Student UT Insurance

All students studying or undertaking a traineeship or field study abroad are insured through Uppsala University and are covered by the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency's (Kammarkollegiet) insurance Student OUT.

Find out whether you need additional insurance

Make sure to read the terms and conditions of the Student UT insurance before departure, and also review any other insurance policies you may have (e.g. home insurance) that may apply while you are abroad. The Student UT insurance is only valid for two weeks before and after your studies or traineeship begin, so if you plan to travel earlier or stay longer afterwards, you may need to take out additional insurance.

For exchange studies, some partner universities also require supplementary insurance. Please refer to the exchange agreement database under the heading “Insurance” for information specific to each university.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Students studying or undertaking an internship in an EU/EEA country should ensure that they have appropriate healthcare coverage for their stay abroad.

Students who are covered by the Swedish social insurance system must, before departure, order a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and bring it with them during their stay. In Sweden, the EHIC is issued by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). On Försäkringskassan’s website, you can find information about in which countries and situations the EHIC is valid.

EU/EEA students should note that eligibility for an EHIC depends on which country provides your healthcare coverage, not on your nationality alone. If you are not covered by the Swedish social insurance system, you must check whether you are eligible to obtain an EHIC from your home country.

Non-EU/EEA students, and students who are not covered by public healthcare in Sweden or another EU/EEA country, are not usually eligible for an EHIC. You are responsible for ensuring that you have adequate healthcare insurance for your stay abroad.

If you experience a non-emergency incident, report it via the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency's (Kammarkollegiet) website or contact their switchboard during office hours at +46 (0)8 700 08 00.

For 24/7 emergency assistance, contact Falck Global Assistance at +46 (0)8 587 717 49.

By doing a takeover of the university’s Instagram account @StudyAbroadFromUU, you can inspire students who are considering studying abroad or help those who have already applied by sharing tips and advice ahead of their upcoming journey. You do not need any previous experience of posting on social media – just show your own, authentic perspective of what life is like during an exchange or internship abroad.

Interested? Send an email to studyabroadambassador@uu.se or get in touch with us on Instagram. 📸✨

Regardless of whether you have completed studies, a traineeship, or field studies abroad, you are required to submit certain mandatory documentation upon your return. Make sure to read the guidelines that apply to you and keep an eye on your inbox for any information regarding the final documentation sent to you by email. It is important that you submit your final report as soon as possible after returning home.

For those who have studied with an Erasmus grant, the final payment of the grant will not be made until all final documentation has been submitted

At Uppsala University, there are many options for engaging with the world from home – without travelling physically. A great way to meet international students from around the world is to get involved in student activities. Take on a role in a student association, a nation, or one of the student unions. Here you can find more information on how you can be international at home.