Checklist for international programme students and students taking freestanding courses

Last changed: 21 March 2025

As a newly admitted student at SLU, whether to a programme or to freestanding courses, you will find important information in the checklist. It will be useful both before your arrival in Sweden and during your studies.

Where can I get a paper copy of my Notification of Selection Results (admission results)?

Answer: Your Notification of Selection Results is available as a PDF file at universityadmissions.se or at antagning.se (for EU/EEA/Swiss students) and serves as an official document. You never need to request a copy, as this PDF file is an official version — simply print out a copy. A link to your PDF will be available a few days after publication of the selection results in the 'Application' section of your account.

University Admissions does not provide applicants with printed copies.

Do I have to reply to my admissions offer?

No reply required for First admission round (international students)

If you applied in the First round (open between October to January) for the autumn semester, you do not need to reply to your offer. If you decide not to attend the course/programme in which you have been offered a place, please be sure to decline your offer. You can do this at universityadmissions.se. Log in to your account, go to "Applications" and follow the instructions.

If you are admitted to a summer course, you don't need to reply to you offer.

Reply required for Second admission round (EU/EES/Swiss students)

If you applied to the second round for the autumn, you must reply to your first Notification of Selection Results in order to keep the places you have been offered, or to be placed on the reserve/waiting list for the second selection round.

For the second notification, you do not need to reply to courses you wish to keep, but should decline those courses you are not planning on attending. This makes those places available for students on the waiting list. Log in to your account at antagning.se and go to 'Applications' to decline your spot(s).

Admitted after the programme or course has started

If you are offered a place on a course or program that has already started, you will be contacted via the email adress you entered on antagning.se. You accept or decline the offered place by replying to the email within the specified timeframe. If we do not receive an answer in time, we will contact the next reserve on the list.

If you are admitted with conditions

To be admitted with a condition means that you did not meet the eligibility conditions when you registered, but that you still have the chance to be admitted if you become eligible before the course or program starts.

If you are admitted with conditions to a course, you need to prove that the conditions are fulfilled and show the department that you have fulfilled your condition. You can find more information about what applies on the Student web. You are always accepted for independent work with a condition. Contact the course leader or course administrator to show that you meet the conditions before they can register you.

If you are admitted with conditions to a Master's program, you must be able to show that you meet the conditions no later than two weeks after the start of the course. If you previously studied in a country other than Sweden, you need to upload your documents at antagning.se.

Pay the first tuition fee installment

If you are a student who is a citizen of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, you are required to pay an application and tuition fee.

Once you are admitted to a Master’s programme or Bachelor’s programme at SLU, go to create a student IT-account. You can find your payment instructions and confirmation of payment via Ladok Student. This amount will cover tuition for the first semester. The instalment must be paid in full, and have reached SLU by 9 May 2025 – you cannot spread the payment over the semester.

Studying with a disability

Study support is available if you have a permanent disability that affects your studies. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a long-term effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. Disabilities include dyslexia, physical impairments, mental and neuropsychiatric disorders, visual or hearing impairments and certain chronic illnesses. More information about study support for permanent disabilities is available on the student web.

Apply for a Swedish residence permit

If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you will need to apply for a residence permit from the Swedish Migration Agency. Visit  their website to read more and apply.

Study in Sweden and the Migration Agency have created a series of videos to guide you through your resident permit application process. The application process can take at least three months, so you should apply as soon as possible.

Accommodation fee paying students

As a fee-paying student you are guaranteed housing if you have been admitted in the first admission round. This will be offered to you by SLU.

If you are a fee-paying student who is granted a scholarship you are still guaranteed housing. Please note that the rent is not included in the tuition fee.

After you have received your acceptance letter from SLU, you will receive information about the accommodation you have been assigned, including suggested move in date and how/when to pick up the keys.

Information regarding student housing options at each SLU campus can be found by the links below:

Please note, the accommodation is only offered to admitted students.

Activating your student IT account

Students without a Swedish personal identity number

With the student IT account, you can log in to student computers, the student web, use the library's resources and log in to your SLU email account.

If someone at SLU like to contact you or inform you about something, this is the email address they will use. Therefore, make it a habit to read emails sent to your SLU email address.

Take the following steps to get your student login:

  1. Read and sign the IT-login contract, which outlines the rules applicable to your account. By acknowledging the account, you accept these rules. You can find more information about it here: New student - information about student IT account. You can create your student IT account now by following the instructions below.

  2. Contact the IT Service desk at phone number +46 18676600, choose option 1, and provide the case number above. We will conduct an ID check via video before providing you with your account details. Please ensure you have your ID readily available. Our service desk is open 8:00-16:00, Monday-Friday, CEST.

  3. During the call, you will be prompted to join https://join.video.slu.se/webapp/#/?conference=it-stod


Students with a Swedish personal identity number

Once you have received your second admission decision, you can activate your account at SLU. You can do this by mid-August the earliest  for courses starting in the autumn semester. And in January for courses in the spring semester.

Click on New account to activate your user account.

Before you get an account, you should read the regulations that apply to the use of IT resources and accept them by checking the box.

If you encounter any problems, please contact IT support at your campus. Please have your ID documents and admission decision with you.

For questions about your IT account, contact support@slu.se.

Contact IT Support

Contact IT Support on your campus if you experience any problems. Please note that they do not offer IT Support for your personal devices.

If you have any questions about your student IT account, contact support@slu.se.

Getting started with the Canvas learning platform

Visit student.slu.se/canvas and use your student account to log in.

All SLU students have access to Canvas. However, it is up to the course coordinator if they will be using the platform for their particular course. Contact them to find out more.

Your course coordinator decides what will be available in Canvas. Generally, you will be given read-only access to the course once you have been admitted. You will not be able to submit assignments, take quizzes or make posts until you have registered on the course. Keep in mind that the content of each Canvas course may vary.

If you have questions about Canvas, contact IT Support via support@slu.se or the course coordinator.

Read more about Canvas.

First class and registration

If you are admitted to a programme or a course at SLU, you must register in order to keep your place, take part in the teaching, be covered by insurance and have your study results documented.

Depending on whether you are newly admitted to a programme or to a course, registration takes place in different ways.
In order to be registered, you must first activate your student IT account.

Admitted to a programme

If you are admitted to a programme, you will be registered after you have attended the roll call on the first day of the semester. Registration on the programme and on the courses during the first semester is handled by SLU, so you cannot register for the course yourself during the first semester of the programme.Contact your programme director of studies or course administrator if you have questions about registration for the first course in a programme. Their contact details can be found on the course page, which you can find most easily by clicking on the course title in your framework schedule on the programme page. Admissions Office at SLU cannot register students.

Admitted to a free-standing course

Registration is done via Ladok Student. If you are admitted to a free-standing course or to a course within your programme, you must register yourself online to keep your place on the course. If you cannot register for the course yourself, you can ask the course leader to register you at the start of the course.You must register for the courses you are going to study. You can register online at the earliest one week before the course starts via Ladok Student. To register in Ladok Student, follow the steps below:
  1. Go to Ladok Student
  2. Select "Login via your university"
  3. Search and select "Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences"
  4. Log in with the login details for your student account at SLU
  5. Courses you can register for now are listed under the heading "Registration".
    Click on "Register" under the course titles of the courses you want to study.
You will need to register each academic session for the courses you will study. The earliest you can register online is one week before the start of a course.If you cannot register for a course, it may be because:
  • The registration period has not started or has ended.
  • You have been admitted with conditions.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact your course leader or course administrator. Their contact details can be found on the course search web. Admissions Office at SLU cannot register students. More information about the functions in Ladok Student.

Access card

Once you have registered for an SLU course, you will receive an email informing you that you can collect your access card from the service centre. It may take up to two days after registration before you can pick up the card.

Service Centres:

Alnarp: Alnarpsgården, Sundsvägen 6
Uppsala: Ulls hus, Almas allé 8
Umeå: Skogishuset, Skogmarksgränd 17

Please ensure you bring identification with you when you go to collect your access card. When you sign for your card, you will also receive a copy of the terms of use and an automatically generated PIN. Please note that this PIN cannot be changed.

More information about the access card is available on the student web.

Other important information 

Academic calendar

 Semester Period Start End
Autumn 2025 1a 2025-09-01 2025-09-30
  1b 2025-10-01 2025-11-02
  2a 2025-11-03 2025-12-03
  2b 2025-12-04 2025-01-18
       

 

Read more about the academic year and semester dates in the Education planning and administration handbook.

Student discount card (Mecenat)

Once you have registered for an SLU course, you will be eligible for the Mecenat student discount card. Discounts include travel on public transport throughout Sweden. To be eligible for student travel discounts you must have a valid Mecenat card with the logo of your regional transport provider (e.g. Skånetrafiken, SL/UL, Länstrafiken). If you buy a discounted ticket without having the Mecenat card, you may be fined. Therefore, you will be unable to access these discounts upon arrival in Sweden – you must first register at SLU.

The easiest way to get the Mecenat card is by joining a student union, as all student union members receive the card automatically. The student unions do not issue physical cards, instead you will be given instructions on how to download the Mecenatkort app and activate your digital card. If you would prefer a physical card, you can request one once you have activated your digital card. The student unions’ page on the student web has more information. The digital card is accepted all over Sweden, but you may prefer a physical card when travelling abroad.

Visit Mecenat’s website for more information about the card for SLU students.

SLU University Library

As a student, your have access to the SLU University Library. You can borrow course literature, books, use search tools and databases, get useful search tips and other support.

Service centres

  • Alnarp: Alnarpsgården, Sundsvägen 6
  • Uppsala: Ulls hus, Almas allé 8
  • Umeå: Skogishuset,  Skogmarksgränd 17

You can turn to the service centre (see addresses above) at each campus for any questions related to SLU and they will guide you to the right place.

Insurance

We recommend that all incoming exchange students have comprehensive health and accident insurance from their home university/country.

Exchange students at SLU are covered by the Student IN supplementary insurance policy from Kammarkollegiet. This policy covers accidents and is only valid in Sweden.

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card issued by your country’s social insurance agency.

The SLU student web has a page on insurance and further information is available on the Study in Sweden site

Information about life in Sweden

Cost of living

Sweden has a relatively high cost of living, so it is a good idea to be prepared. Study in Sweden has helpful information about the cost of living and suggests an average student budget.

Banking

If you will be staying in Sweden for less than six months, it is easier to make banking arrangements with your home bank than to open a Swedish bank account. If you will be staying in Sweden for one year or more, you need to apply for a Swedish personal identity number. Having a personal identity number will make opening a bank account easier.

To be able to open a bank account, you must be able to provide proof of identity and explain why you want a Swedish account. The Swedish Bankers’ Association has more information about what banks require when opening an account. Read becoming a bank customer.

Swedish weather

Sweden has four distinct seasons: spring (March to May), summer (June to August), autumn (September to October) and winter (November/December to February/March). Sweden can have winter temperatures around -30 degrees Celsius, even if this is not common in the southern parts of the country. The average temperature during the winter in the southern parts of the country is around +2 degrees. Summer temperatures in Sweden can rise to 30 degrees Celsius, and everything in between.

To have appropriate clothes for every season can be costly. Second-hand shops often offer cheaper alternatives. Mittens, hat, a winter coat/jacket and padded boots are recommended if you are staying for winter. Rain clothes are also very useful even during summertime. Since Sweden is a long country, depending on if you are staying in Umeå, Uppsala or Alnarp, winter temperatures will differ and the spring will arrive later the further north you are.

Swedish weather and nature

Swedish personal identity number

If you have moved to Sweden from abroad and are planning to live in Sweden for one year or more, you need to register in the Swedish Population Register. You will then get a Swedish personal identity number from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). In order to register in the Swedish Population Register (become ’folkbokförd’), you must personally visit a Swedish state service centre.

For more information, including what documents to bring to thea Swedish state service centre, please read the information on Skatteverket's website.

After receiving your personal identity number

When you have received your personal identity number, please send an email to Ladok@slu.se. This to make sure to update your temporary registration number in the SLU database of student records (Ladok).

In the email, please state:

  • Your name
  • Your current temporary student registration number listed in Ladok
  • Your new 10-digit Swedish personal identity number
  • Your study programme

Learning Swedish

Are you eager to learn some Swedish before you arrive? There are many tutorials online or visit Study in Sweden.
The SLU libraries organise language cafés, where you can meet with Swedish students and staff and practise your Swedish. The libraries also arrange other exciting activities.

After your studies

What should you do when you are finished with your studies in Sweden?

If you move abroad from Sweden and plan to stay away for a year or longer, you should not remain registered in Sweden. In this case, you must notify the Swedish Tax Agency that you are moving abroad at least one week before departure. If you forget to submit the notification on time, you should send it as soon as possible. 

If you move to another Nordic country

If you move to another Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Norway), the regulations of that country determine whether you are entered into its population register. You must notify the authorities in the other Nordic country of your move there, and inform the Swedish Tax Agency that you are leaving Sweden. You will be removed from the population register in Sweden once the other Nordic country has decided to register you in its population register.

When do you cease being registered in Sweden?

When you move to another country, you cease to be registered in Sweden as of the day you move away, as long as you have reported your move no later than on that day. If the notification is received by the Swedish Tax Agency later than that day, you cease to be registered in Sweden as of the day that the Agency received your notification.

What should you do if you return to Sweden after being de-registered?

If you move back to Sweden for further studies, work or other reasons you should again notify the Swedish Tax Agency.

An introduction video to studies at SLU


Contact

Study and career guidance

You can ask the study and career counsellors about the courses and programmes at SLU and which ones might be right for you. We can also help you towards achieving your future goals, with your study environment, and discuss your career opportunities after graduation.

You may be able to find the answers to your questions about the university and our programmes on the frequently asked questions page about studies at SLU.

Book an appointment
Call or email us to schedule an appointment. We also offer guidance via telephone or online meetings.

Email
studyguidance@slu.se

Telephone
+46 18 67 28 00 

Telephone hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10.00-11.00