Checklist for admitted exchange students
On this page, you will find a checklist with things to do and helpful tips for before and during your exchange studies at Uppsala University.
To do before you arrive in Sweden
1. Arrange housing
Finding housing in Sweden can be hard and expensive. Therefore, we recommend you apply for accommodation through Uppsala University Housing Office well in advance. Exchange students have a good chance of getting housing via them
Information about housing for exchange students at Uppsala University
2. Organise your finances
Living in Sweden is expensive. Aside from rent and food, you will have expenses such as textbooks, transportation, and socialising.
Information about financing exchange studies at Uppsala University
3. Apply for a residence permit (non-EU citizens)
If you are a student from a country outside the EU/EEA you must apply for a residence permit. Find information about how to apply on the Swedish Migration Agency's website.
4. Find out if you need extra insurance
You must have full insurance coverage during your stay in Sweden. The insurance must cover you both during school hours and your own free time.
You are responsible for finding out if you need extra insurance other than the insurances exchange students at Uppsala University already have.
5. Plan to arrive on time during the Arrival Day(s)
We recommend you to arrive during the Arrival Day(s), especially if you have arranged housing through Uppsala University Housing Office.
Information about the upcoming Uppsala Arrival Day(s)
Information about the upcoming Visby Arrival Day
If you cannot arrive during the Arrival Day(s)
If you cannot arrive on the Arrival Day(s), or if you are delayed and cannot arrive within the opening hours of the Arrival Day(s), you are responsible for the following:
- finding transportation from your arrival spot (for example Arlanda Airport) to Uppsala.
- finding accommodation for all of the nights necessary before you can collect the key to your long-term accommodation.
If you cannot arrive before your courses start
If you cannot arrive on Arrival Day(s), you should plan to arrive before your courses start. If you for some reason cannot, it is your responsibility to let Uppsala University know. If you are coming through a university-wide exchange agreement, email mobility@uu.se. If you are coming through a departmental agreement, inform the department at Uppsala University directly.
6. Pack everything you will need upon arrival
You cannot ship luggage or boxes to Uppsala University before you arrive. Therefore, you need to pack everything you might need during your first time in Sweden.
Packing tips
7. Activate your student account
If you are a new student, you need to activate your student account to get access to the student gateway, the University's network, printing systems, and other services. Activate your student account here. You can also choose to do it during the Arrival Day(s) or when you have arrived in Uppsala or Visby.
8. If needed, apply for disability study support
If you have a long-term disability, you can get targeted study support during your time at Uppsala University. Contact the coordinators well in advance of starting your exchange studies to discuss your need for support.
To do after you have arrived in Sweden
1. Make sure you are registered for your courses
After you have activated your student account, you must make sure that you are registered for your courses. This can be done in various ways. Therefore, check with your institution at Uppsala University to see if you are registered for all of your courses.
2. Get a student card and join a union/nation
You need a student card from Studentkortet to get student discounts. With the same card, you can get access to student nations and unions, as long as you also become a member of one or several of them.
Do this if you want the student card for discounts and nation/union access
Join a student nation and/or student union at Uppsalastudent.com. By joining, you automatically apply for the student card as well. Therefore, you do not need to apply for the card separately. You will then get access to your student card in the Studentkortet app. Visit the Studentkortet website to download the app.
If you also want a physical card, you must visit the nation or union you have become a member of. If you have become a member of several nations or unions, you visit only one of them to get your physical card.
Do this if you want the student card only for discounts
Apply for the student card on the Studentkortet website. Note that you will have to submit your temporary Swedish Personal Identity Number and a certificate of registration for your exchange semester(s) at Uppsala University.
3. Download the MazeMap app to find your way around
Download the MazeMap app or visit the MazeMap website to find your way around the cities of Uppsala and Visby and their university campuses.