Study during the Coronavirus outbreak

Last changed: 12 October 2020
Student attending a Zoom meeting

Here, you will find information about studies during the corona pandemic.

We have opened up the campus again for teaching and studying, but due to the coronavirus, some adaptions are necessary. 

To enable us to maintain distancing, online teaching will continue to be an important component of your education. You will find information on what applies to your course on the course page or in the Canvas room for your course.

To minimise the risk of the virus spreading on campus, we have adapted the study environment in several ways. This includes rearranging furniture in classrooms and other spaces to allow social distancing, signs and stickers on the floor to remind people to keep their distance and hand sanitiser stations in shared spaces.

Some important points!

  • If possible, walk or cycle to campus. If you have to use public transport, keep your distance to others.
  • Stay at home if you are unwell, even if you only experience mild symptoms.
  • If you are unwell, you should get tested for covid-19. Read more about the test in our FAQ below.
  • Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face before you’ve washed your hands.
  • Cough or sneeze into your arm or elbow, or use a paper tissue.

We want all students and staff at SLU to feel safe on campus. We are all responsible for respecting and keeping ourselves updated on the guidelines issued by the Public Health Agency of Sweden and SLU to minimise the spread of the virus.

You will find more corona related information in the menus below.

Corona FAQ for students

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.

Should I be at home when I am sick or have a cold?

Yes! If you feel symptoms of illness, even mild colds, stay home to reduce the spread of the virus. Contact 1177 if you are ill and need counseling.

If you feel unwell, you should also be tested for covid-19.

How do I get tested for covid-19?

Note! If the test shows that you have Covid-19, the physician will give you information on what to do.

You should also inform your teacher and the chair of the student union you belong to. That way, they can take measures to minimise the spread of the virus on campus.

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

If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number and an e-ID, you can book an appointment for a covid-19 test by calling telephone number 018-617 35 64.
The test takes place at the clinic "Kungsgärdets vårdcentral". Remember to book an appointment before you go there. The test is free och charge.

Students in Umeå

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

What should I do if a person in my household or student corridor has covid-19?

If a person in your household (household contact) has covid-19, you will be contacted by the health services for further instructions. This may mean that you need to stay home and study from home for a certain period of time. You should also take a test for covid-19 to see if you are infected, read more about testing in the headings above.

Persons living in student corridors does not count as household contacts. If a person in your student corridor is infected with covid-19, you do not need to stay at home if you feel well. But if you have had close contact with the person that is infected, you should be tested for covid-19.

Do you belong to a risk group?

Contact your course leader to find out how you can follow the course or make up for missed teaching. Contact information can be found on the course page.

What can I do to prevent spreading the virus or becoming infected while on campus?

  • Stay at home if you are unwell, even if you only experience mild symptoms.
  • Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face before you’ve washed your hands.
  • Cough or sneeze into your arm or elbow, or use a paper tissue.
  • Do not greet by touching or hugging.
  • Keep a distance from each other.

How do I get to campus safely?

  • If possible, walk or cycle to campus.
  • If you have to use public transport, keep your distance to others.

What measures have been taken on campus to reduce the spread of the virus?

To minimise the risk of the virus spreading on campus, we have adapted the study environment in several ways. This includes rearranging furniture in classrooms and other spaces to allow social distancing, signs and stickers on the floor to remind people to keep their distance and hand sanitiser stations in shared spaces.

As a rule, a maximum of 50 people may be seated in a room at the same time and social distancing must be practiced in the room. Spaces that can seat 300 people or more are to be exempt from the requirement to allow a maximum of 50 people at the same time. This applies provided that there is a distance of at least 1.5 metres between visitors when people enter and leave the room.

How will the teaching be conducted this autumn?  

Following a government decision, as of 15 June 2020 teaching and examination can take place on campus provided the format makes it possible to comply with the guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Sweden and SLU's own instructions related to the pandemic.

Will the corona crisis affect my application for a residence permit for studies?

The Swedish Migration Agency is the authority responsible for processing residence permit applications. Please see the following information on their website:

Depending on the local situation, several Swedish embassies abroad may have limited capacity to process your application within the normal timeframe. Please refer to your national authorities for information on any restrictions to the freedom of movement that may prevent you from visiting Sweden.

Will I be able to travel to Sweden to commence my studies?

The Swedish Government decided on 26 August to extend the temporary entry ban on all non-essential travel from outside EU to Sweden until 31 October 2020.

Note! The entry ban does not apply if are going to study in Sweden.

If you live in a country outside the EU, you still need to apply for a residence permit for studies to enter Sweden. This means you should be able to travel to Sweden.

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. 

I live in student accommodations and am afraid of being infected by my neighbours. What can I do?  

It is generally important to follow the recommendations for good hand hygiene. We encourage all students to stay updated and carefully follow the recommendations on the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s FAQ web page/FAQ about COVID-19.

I am supposed to conduct exchange studies this autumn. Will I be able to go? 

It is currently difficult to know what the situation will be this autumn in countries with our partner universities. Stay updated on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' travel recommendations. Your international supervisor will keep in touch with the partner university and provide you with information. 

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.

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.

Visit https://slu-se.zoom.us/. Sign in with your AD account through the option Sign In with SSO.

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

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.

Canvas

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.

Tips for home study - take breaks and meet digitally

Structure your study day

Try to follow normal study times and routines as much as possible, even when studying from home. Include recuperation such as coffee breaks, lunch and other breaks. Try finding new routines at home that correspond to those at campus. It is recommended to have virtual coffee breaks with your classmates.

Move/take a walk

It can be physically or psychologically strenuous to study from home for a longer period. Make sure that it works in the long-term. For example, set reminders on your phone a few times per day to remind you to take proper breaks and allow the mind to rest and maintain concentration for the rest of the day.

It is also important to do ergonomic exercises in order to reduce the risk of strain injuries. Take a walk or two during the day. Other ways of incorporating physical exercise is moving the arms and legs, stretching the back, etc. Another tip is standing up and looking out the window, as far as you can, for a minute or two, before returning to your studies. This allows more blood to travel to the brain and rests the eyes. Perhaps it is possible to take part in a phone conversation with a classmate while getting some fresh air?

Ensure social contact

Study at campus provides most of us with a social community that is important for our well-being. Study from home separates us from or social fellowship during a longer period. It is therefore important to find ways to compensate this need. Make an effort to establish social contact in other ways.

A few tips

  • Coffee breaks on Skype – meet classmates online and talk about the day.
  • Also keep a chat window open in Skype or in messenger - this allows continual contact with your classmates throughout the study day.
  • Meet your friends in a video session through Zoom. Read more about Zoom in the header above.
  • Create an efficient and peaceful workspace

Another tip is creating a clear work station in the home. This may involve being able to close a physical door. If this is not possible, close a mental door by asking any family members or friends to respect your working hours and new study situation.

A clean and tidy kitchen table is also a good option. Signal that you are busy by closing the door, putting on headphones, turning your back or something else that shows intention. Notify your surroundings of when you take breaks and when you are done for the day. And perhaps most important of all: stick to the plan.

Give yourself time to structure any technical tools to make things easier and practical. Where should the computer be? Where do I sit best? Which chair should I use?

New student at SLU?

Information for newly admitted students about the study start during the Corona pandemic.
two people talking

Study guidance during the corona pandemic

Having thoughts about your studies? Welcome to contact us!
Contact

IT Support:
it-stod@slu.se, 018-67 66 00

If you suspect that you have contracted the virus, read more at http://krisinformation.se/en (emergency information from Swedish authorities), or phone 113 13 (national information number for information on emergencies) and ask for advice.

Staff who have questions about how this issue is handled at SLU, or who need practical advice in case they become infected, should contact their immediate superior.

Students should contact their programme director of studies, contact details can be found on the programme web pages.

Study and career guidance: The study and career cousellors offers guidance via digital calls, telephone or email. Welcome to book an appointment or visit us during the digital drop in hours. More information is available on the study and career guidance website.

Studying when you have a disability: If you have a long-term disability that affect your studies, you can apply for support online. 

The Student health Centre offers study-related healthcare. Contact the Student healtth centre.

The SLU university library - Information about the library services due to the Corona virus. 

Page editor: utb-webb@slu.se