Study during the Coronavirus outbreak

Last changed: 26 November 2021
Student attending a Zoom meeting

On this page you will find advice and guidelines as well as tips and tools for studies during the corona pandemic. Here you will also find information about what to do if you are unwell and how to get tested and vaccinated for Covid-19.

New from 22 November 2021

As of 22 November 2021, new guidelines from the Public Health Authority are in effect about testing for covid-19. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons should be tested for symptoms.
 
The following recommendations apply:
  • Be aware of new symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, fever and cough. 
  • Stay home if you get these or other symptoms of a respiratory infection and get tested for covid-19.
  • This applies to both you who are unvaccinated and you who are vaccinated.

Report to SLU if you have been diagnosed with covid-19

By filling in a covid-19 form, SLU can take measures to reduce the risk of the spread of infection on campus. Remember that you must also report that you are unwell to your course leader.

New from 29 September 2021

On 29 September, most restrictions will be lifted due to the pandemic. SLU's staff will gradually return to campus to ensure a good work environment. Therofore most part of the teaching will still be digital during the autumn semester.

How much of the teaching that will take place on campus may vary, but the goal is for you to have at least one day per week on campus. You find what applies to your course on your course page and in Canvas.

For the 2022 spring semester, the plan is to completely withdraw the special instructions that were introduced as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Travel to Sweden during the corona pandemic - requirements and recommendations

To be able to enter Sweden for studies during the pandemic, we ask you to read the information below from the Swedish authorities.

Residence permit for studies

If you live in a country outside the EU, you need to apply for a residence permit for studies to enter Sweden. The Swedish Migration Agency is the authority responsible for processing residence permit applications.

Entry requirements

Latest information from The Swedish Police Authority about entry rules during the pandemic.

Recommendations for people entering Sweden from abroad

The Public Health Agency of Sweden has different recommendations about PCR-test and self isolation after arriving in Sweden depending on which country you travel from.

Testing for covid-19 and vaccination

How do I get vaccinated against covid-19?

International students may be vaccinated against covid-19 according to the guidelines from the Swedish Public Health Agency and the region in which they study.

Vaccination in Region Skåne

Swedish and international students can also book an appointment at the Vaccination Clinic at Baravägen 1 in Lund. Call to make an appointment:
Monday-Friday, 9.00-15.00, phone number: +46 771-320 320

Vaccination in Uppsala

Students in Uppsala can book an appointment by calling +46 18 617 35 00.

Vaccination in Umeå

Testing for Covid-19

You should take a test if you are showing symptoms of a respiratory tract infection. Such symptoms include a sore throat, fever, cough and a general feeling of illness.

How do I get tested for covid-19?

Students in Alnarp

If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number you should call a health centre and ask for a test.

Students in Uppsala

You find information about testing for covid-19 in Uppsala at 1177.se.
 
If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number and an e-ID, you can book an appointment for a covid-19 test at Kungsgärdets health center by calling telephone number 018-617 35 64. If you would like to get testet closer to campus Ultuna, you can make an appointment at Gottsunda health center by calling 018-611 78 10.

Student in Umeå

Students in Umeå can pick up a kit for self testing for covid-19. The kit is free of charge.

Study-related information

Additional decision on instructions for teaching and examination at first- and second-cycle level in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 autumn semester

Due to the lifting of several national restrictions this autumn, SLU has decided on the following:

  • A capacity utilisation of 100 per cent is allowed for pool teaching rooms.
  • Students on all degree programmes (except those offered as distance learning programmes) are to have teaching on campus at least one day a week.

The decision applies as of 2 November 2021 to 16 January 2022.

Read the additional decision.

For the 2022 spring semester, the plan is to completely withdraw the special instructions that were introduced as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

New instructions for teaching and examination 2021 autumn semester

The chair of the Board of Education has decided on Instructions for teaching and examination in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 autumn semester.

  • The previously adopted instructions for the 2021 summer semester remain.
  • For resits and other types of renewed assessment that take place before the autumn semester starts, the lighter restrictions set out in this decision may be applied where possible.
  • For the 2021 autumn semester, teaching and examination may take place on campus. However, to prevent the spread of infection, not everyone will be allowed to return at the same time. The guidelines from the Public Health Agency apply and measures must be taken to reduce the spread of infection.
  • Pool teaching rooms cannot be used to their full extent. The instructions contain an order of priority for classrooms as long as restrictions are still in place. The aim is for students on all degree programmes to have teaching on campus approximately one day a week.

You find the decision here: Instructions for teaching and examination in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 autumn semester

You find information about what applies to your course on your course page or in Canvas.

Will I be able to travel to Sweden to commence my studies for the academic year 2021/2022

Yes. If you live in a country outside the EU, you need to apply for a residence permit for studies to enter Sweden. The Swedish Migration Agency is the authority responsible for processing residence permit applications.

You don’t need to worry about your residence permit application if your courses will be moved online due to Covid-19. The Swedish Migration Agency does not have requirements for minimum amount of on-campus attendance for the academic year 2021/2022.

Note! You need to be at your place of study before the semester starts to be able to go to campus at short notice if the roll call takes place on site due to changed restrictions.

Read more here

Read more about whats is required to be able to enter Sweden at The Swedish Police Authority.

How to apply for a residence permit for studies in higher education.

Frequently asked questions about studying and researching in Sweden

Information for students who apply to extend their residence permit for studies, or if have components of their studies left to complete

Exchanges during the 2022 spring semester

The SLU Mobility Team monitors the information on Covid-19 developments issued by Swedish public authorities; we also monitor international developments through our partner universities around the world. At the moment, we are planning for exchanges to take place. As soon as we have any new information that may affect your exchange, we will let you know.

If you are planning to study abroad during the spring semester but need to cancel your exchange due to the pandemic, you will be able to submit a late application to ensure that you have a place on a course at SLU in the autumn.

How is SLU handling the Coronavirus outbreak? 

The university is continually dealing with the coronavirus through a special group tasked with handling general issues related to the outbreak. It monitors the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s and the Ministry for Foreign Affair’s (in Swedish) updates and observes how other universities are handling the issue.

How are students informed about the current situation? 

We encourage all students to stay updated on the student web page about the coronavirus. Important information can also be sent to your student email or posted in Canvas.

If you have any questions that are not answered below, degree programme students can contact their programme director of studies. Students on freestanding courses should contact their course coordinator.

Can I still contact the study guidance service? 

Yes, the study and career counsellors are available as usual via telephone and e-mail, or via digital meetings. 

Digital tools for studies and distance teaching

SLU has access to several digital tools for online distance learning and distance studies, for example when you have group work or want to study with a friend.

Zoom

With Zoom, you can study with your classmates over video, for example when you have group work. Zoom will also be used for distance lectures so it is good if you are familiar with the tool.

Please remember to always sign in to Zoom with your AD account through Single Sign-On (SSO) when you are using Zoom. Type "slu-se" in the SSO box.

How do I get access to Zoom?

If you have an SLU-computer you can find the Zoom-client for PC in Software Center, or if you use Mac you find it in Self Service. If you are a student, you can find it here: studentsharet.

The first time you sign in, you will need to install the Zoom Client on your computer.

Activate Zoom

The first time you want to invite to your own meeting in ZOOM, you need to activate your Zoom account. You only do this once by following the steps below.

  1. Go to https://slu-se.zoom.us.
  2. Select Sign-in 
  3. You will come to the page for the university's joint web login where you log in (Sign In with SSO). You have now activated your Zoom account.
  4. To use Zoom, you also need to install the client. Go to http://slu-se.zoom.us and select the Download Client option at the bottom of the page.

Zoom the client

  1. Start the program.
    Zoom client log in
  2. Zoom client log in Click the Sign in with SSO button.
    Sign in SSo
  3. Type "slu-se" in the Company Domain.
    Sign in SSO
  4. Log in with AD account; your username and password.
  5. The zoom client looks like below. If you want to start a meeting directly click on "New meeting", or if you want to plan a meeting in advance click on "Schedule".

You should also check your personal settings. In the web browser, you will land on the settings page when you sign in. From the Zoom Client you will reach the settings page under Settings-Advanced Features-Edit My Profile.

Make your Zoom meeting more secure

The Security icon in the meeting controls allows the host or co-host of a meeting to enable or disable options during a meeting to secure the meeting and minimize disruption during the meeting.

Zoom help

Canvas learning platform

Canvas is a learning platform consisting of course rooms. Canvas has four features:

  • Distributes materials, instructions, links and learning goals.
  • Submission of work safely.
  • Communication with your teacher and other students in the course.
  • Tools for evaluations and examns.

Office 365

 You have free access to Microsofts service Office 365. It includes:

  • 1 Tb storage in onedrive.
  • Access to the Microsoft Office suite, which you can install on up to 5 devices.
  • Log in to Office 365 >> Use your SLU account when logging in.

Adobe

There are many apps with free experiences for you to build your skills in photo and video editing, graphic design, UI prototyping, and more:

Affinity suite

We would also like to recommend the Affinity suite of software for graphics editiing, available for installation at the Program share or via My Desktop.

My Desktop

By connecting to the My Desktop, you get access to SLU's standard programs and the documents and files that you have stored on a SLU computer.

  • More information about My Desktop and how to connect.

New student at SLU?

Information for newly admitted students at SLU about the study start 30 August.
two people talking

Study guidance during the corona pandemic

Having thoughts about your studies? Welcome to contact us!

Keep up to date

The pandemic is not over and we are all responsible for respecting and keeping ourselves updated on the guidelines issued by the Public Health Agency of Sweden to minimise the spread of the virus.