You can apply for deferment (postpone when you start) if you have special grounds.
It is best if you apply for deferment before the programme starts. However, you can apply throughout the first semester as long as you are registered on the programme. You can defer your studies for a maximum of 18 months, unless there are exceptional circumstances for extending this period (Chapter 7, Section 33, Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100)).
Special grounds include social, medical, or other exceptional circumstances such as caring for a sick child, national military or civilian service, military basic training or tasks related to student organisations.
You must submit supporting documentation if you will be applying for deferment.
- Medical reasons: certificate from the healthcare services/psychologist/
The certificate must have been issued in the past two months.
- Military service – copy of the summons from the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency.
- Pregnancy – medical certificate.
- Care of a sick child – documentation from the Swedish Tax Agency confirming that you are the child’s guardian and that the child is no more than 480 days old when you start studying.
- Care of next of kin – documentation confirming you are caring for next of kin.
- Student’s union post – documentation confirming this is a full-time position. It must also include information about the period when this post will take place.
- Refusal of leave of absence for studies – supporting documentation from the employer confirming you have applied for a leave of absence but have been refused, or documentation confirming you wanted to leave your position in advance but were refused.
- Refused an appointment at the embassy – you must provide evidence that you started the residence permit application process in good time, but you were unable to be given an interview due to reasons beyond your control. SLU will hold on to the tuition fees you have paid until the following year’s application period. You can ask to be refunded at any time, however this will mean you lose your right to deferment. Read more about our study fees refund policy.
Please note: You can ask to be refunded at any time, however this will mean you lose your right to deferment. Read more about our study fees refund policy.
Apply for deferment
- Accept the place you were offered via universityadmissions.se.
- Send an email applying for deferment. Include supporting documentation that confirms any special grounds and send the email to admissions@slu.se.
- You will receive your decision (approval or rejection) via email.
- If you have been granted a deferment, you need to apply for the programme via universityadmissions.se before the start of the semester you intend to start studying. Submit your application during the regular admissions round for that semester. Upload the deferment decision via My Pages on universityadmissions.se when you apply.
If you have any questions about deferment, contact admissions@slu.se.
Appeals
If your application is rejected the decision will be emailed to the address you have provided. You can appeal the decision. Read more about how to appeal here.