Apply for exchange studies

Is study abroad for me?

Finding a suitable university and courses abroad for your exchange studies requires time and effort. You should be prepared to independently gather information, course catalogues and application instructions from the host university's webpages. 

If you assistance or guidance in concidering study abroad and what it could mean for you and your studies, please speak with a a study and career counsellor.

When can I go?

It is often easiest to go abroad during a time in your study program where you can take elective courses. Take a look at your course schedule at the student web, you can contact a study counsellor if you need help to understand your study plan. Also make sure to participate in the course information meetings arranged by your educator each semester. You can also contact your program director of studies to determine the best time for you in your program. You can find the contact information for your programme director of studies on the program page on the student web.

Where can I go?

Choose up to four partner universities where you would like to study. Keep in mind that the universities should have courses which are relevant to your area of study. Rank the choices in your application. You can see all of SLU's partner universities you can choose between in our Database of Exchange Opportunities

Finding courses

The courses you take while you are abroad must be able to be transferred and credited within your degree. Finding course catalogues, course descriptions and academic calendars from foreign university's websites can be a bit tricky, but consider your search as an opportunity to get to know the universities a bit better while browsing and looking for information on their websites. Remember that some universities use different terminology than we do here!

To find the information easier, try these tips:

1. Choose English as the language of the site
2. Use the search engine function on the homepage, try to search with keywords such as: ”exchange studies,” ”international student,” ”prospective student,” ”international office,” ”course catalogue,” ”syllabus,” ”academic calendar,” or ”module” (courses may sometimes be called modules)

Often, it's sufficient to look at the courses that have been offered during the previous or current academic year. Course lists for coming semesters are often published later on, right before the start of the semester. 

Video recording, tips- how to find courses

• How to find courses during your exchange - SLU Play

Communicate with your programme director of studies

Once you have chosen courses, you should discuss with your program director of studies to discuss your choices of courses and the possibility to transfer your credits within your degree when you come back.

Remember to think about which courses you will take when you come back from your exchange, and double-check that you will fulfill the prerequisites after being abroad.

You can find the contact information for your programme director of studies on the program page on the student web.

Apply by 22 November

Begin your application early, and please always use your SLU email as your login. It is important that you take some time to properly answer all the application questions. Remember that you can begin your application, save what you have filled in, and return to it later.

For the majority of partner universities, you can change which semester you want to study abroad even after you have submitted your application.

Please contact the Mobility Team if you have any questions about the application.

In order to qualify to go on exchange studies at SLU, you must:

• have carried out at least one year of full-time study at SLU before going on exchange studies or are admitted to a masters programme*
• be registered for full time studies at SLU at the time of application. If you have had a break from studying, your absence should be registered in Ladok.
• have passed at least 75% of the courses on which you have registered. 
• ensure that your exchange studies will count towards your degree at SLU. You must have had your choice of courses abroad approved in advance by your programme director of studies or similar.
• have sufficiently good language skills so you can carry out your university studies in the relevant language. Read more about this further below under language skills.

*In case you are admitted to a programme on bachelor level, but intends to apply for exchange studies during a master programme to which you are not yet admitted, you may apply to go abroad in the first year's spring semester, at the earliest. It is recommended to go abroad in the second year of a master programme. 

SLU students usually cope well studying in English and do not experience major language difficulties. All exchange students will receive a document from the Mobility Team that states that their level of English is the minimum equivalent of English B, which is the basic level of English required for entry into SLU.

Universities in Australia and some of the Universities in the United Kingdom require additional proof of English language.  Please see information in the exchange database for those universities what documents can be accepted.

In order to apply for exchange studies where the language of instruction is not English, you must attach certification to your application that shows your language skills in the relevant language. If you are interested in studying in a country that speaks a language other than English, you must expect instruction to be given in the national language of the country. Many European universities offer more courses taught in English at the master level, and less at the bachelor level.

Language courses may be available for exchange students at your host university, sometimes at an additional cost. Consider whether you need to take an extra language course either before you go or during your stay at the university abroad. One good way of practising the language before you go is to socialise with exchange students studying at SLU.

You apply in the database MoveON, the link to the application form will appear at the top of this page closer to the application period.

In your application, you can choose up to four different exchange options. It is important that all these options offer courses in your area and at the right level. You are responsible to research your choices of universities. You will be asked to describe some courses you might be interested in taking at each one of your choices.

Documents to upload with your application:

• Photo - voluntary
• Certificate showing your language skulls IF you are going to study in a language other than English. If you are applying for exchange studies in the United Kingdom or Australia you need to upload a certificate showing your english qualifications. 

You will also answer a few questions in the application about your motivation for studying abroad. Answer briefly in English or Swedish.

The application form works best in the web browser Mozilla Firefox, but also works in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.  Please use your student email address when completing the form.  You cannot add other supplements to your application once you have submitted it. You will find more details about the application in the MoveON application form. 

The processing of your application will begin straight after the final application date. We will get in touch if supplementary information is required.

Selection

We do not assess your application based on your grades. We base our assessment entirely on the content of your application. Your motivation for exchange studies, both academic and personal, is crucial for the assessment. It is also important that you have applied for courses where the credits earned will count towards your degree at SLU. Be sure to have a conversation with your programme director in advance to discuss your plans for the exchange.

Once you have been selected for an exchange placement, you will receive an email with your exchange offer.  You will have one week to respond to your offer.  Students who have not been selected for a placement will also be informed via email.

If you accept your offer, the Mobility Team will nominate you to the host university.

Nominations

The Mobility Team nominates students for exchange placements to the host university once they have accepted their offer. The host university however makes the final decision on whether or not to accept you. That being said, it is very unusual that a nominated student is not accepted.  You do not have to do anything in this step.

Once the host university accepts your nomination, you will receive more information about how to apply as an exchange student. You will also be invited to a meeting hosted by the Mobility Team where you will receive information on how to proceed with your application to the foreign university.