Admitted to exchange studies
Once you have received an official decision that you have been admitted to exchange studies, it is time to start thinking about what you need to do before you leave. Here are some tips on what to prepare.
Before you travel
Plan your courses
The courses you take during your exchange need to be eligible for credit transfer towards your future degree at the University. The requirements for content and scope vary between different programmes.
Before you plan your course schedule, you therefore need to find out:
- what applies specifically to your programme
- how many credits, and at what level, the courses should correspond to
- whether there are any compulsory or recommended courses
Then check your course plan with your international coordinator or study counsellor at your faculty or department, so you know the courses can be credited before you make your final decision.
Set up a Learning Agreement
Before you travel, you need a preliminary assessment of all the courses you want credited. For the Erasmus programme, this assessment is documented in an agreement called a Learning Agreement. You fill in which courses you'll take, and the agreement is signed by you, the University of Gothenburg and the host university.
It's important that you're completely clear on what the assessment covers, otherwise you risk uncertainty once you're back home. Read more about how to apply for credit transfer on the page Returning from Exchange Studies.
How to do it:
- Within the Erasmus programme, the Learning Agreement is set up in Mobility-Online.
- For other exchanges, your international coordinator will give you the details.
Sort out your passport and visa
Check that your passport is valid for the whole time you're abroad. Some countries also require your passport to be valid for a period after you return home. Also find out whether you need a visa to study in the country you're going to.
Find accommodation
Many, but not all, host universities offer exchange students the chance to book accommodation thorough the university. Get in touch with your host university to find out what is available.
Book your trip
Book your trip in good time, but it's a good idea to wait until you've confirmed accommodation and, if needed, been granted visa. That way you avoid having to rebook.
Find out if your host university has a recommended arrival date or an introduction programme you need to be there for.
Plan your finances
As an exchange student, you don't pay tuition fees at your host university, with a few exceptions. However, you need to pay for your own travel, accommodation, visa costs and any other expenses. Most students fund this through the Swedish National Board of Student Aid (CSN) and/or scholarships.
Review your insurance
It is important that you have comprehensive insurance cover for your entire stay abroad. The University of Gothenburg has, together with the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency, arranged the Student OUT insurance, which applies to you as an exchange student. However, it's always your own responsibility to review your cover and assess what you personally need.
Here's what to check:
- Your Student OUT insurance
In most cases, your insurance certificate is emailed to you before you travel. Check with your international coordinator on how to access the certificate. Keep the certificate with you throughout your trip – it shows your insurance period and the phone number for the assistance company to contact in an emergency. Read about the insurance on the page Insurance. - Private insurance
Student OUT provides basic cover, not comprehensive insurance. Check whether you need to supplement it with private insurance. - Insurance requirements from your host university
Some universities outside Europe – often in the USA, and always in South Africa and Japan – require you to take out their own insurance. - Registering with Försäkringskassan
You need to notify Försäkringskassan (the Swedish Social Insurance Administration) that you'll be studying abroad. They then decide whether you remain insured in Sweden during your exchange. This affects, among other things, your right to healthcare and benefits. Read more on Försäkringskassan's page about studying abroad. - Insurance card for the EU/EEA
If your exchange is in a country within the EU/EEA, bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It gives you healthcare on the same terms and at the same cost as the country's own residents. If you don't have a card, order one from Försäkringskassan.
Check vaccination requirements
Different host universities have different requirements for vaccinations and infection control. Find out which vaccinations you already have, and what's required of you – both by the host university and by the country you're travelling to.
Information about vaccination is available from 1177 Vårdguiden and Vaccinationsrådet (links to Swedish webpages). You can get vaccinated at Infektionsmottagningen at Östra Sjukhuset, your local health centre, or a private clinic you've visited before. It's worth comparing a few options, as some offer student discounts.
You are responsible for covering the cost of vaccination and any medical examinations.
Your safety
The vast majority of exchange studies go smoothly, but unforeseen events or crises that affect the safety situation in your host country can sometimes occur.
On the page Travel safely you'll find tips and advice for your time abroad, as well as what to do if a crisis situation arises.
Tip: things worth bringing
Examples of valuable documents worth keeping close at hand:
- Valid passport
- Driving licence or other additional ID
- Visa
- Copies of your passport and visa
- Important contact details, both at home and abroad
- Acceptance letter and other documents from the host university
- Student OUT insurance certificate
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), if travelling within the EU/EEA
- Printed information about your private insurance
- Vaccination certificate
There may be other documents that matter for your particular trip. Think about what you specifically need.
While you are there
When you arrive
Once you land, it is time to get ready for the start of the semester. What is required varies between host universities, but you will usually need to:
- Take part in the introduction programme, if your host university offers one – this usually covers practical information, registration and sometimes a chance to meet other exchange students.
- Register as a student at the host university, often by showing your acceptance letter and ID.
- Register with local authorities, if required in the country you are in. Read more about this under Sort out your passport and visa in good time.
- Collect keys and paperwork for your accommodation, if you booked through the host university.
If you need to change your course plan
At some host universities, you can change courses on site during the first weeks of term. This is often called an "add and drop" period.
If you are planning to change your courses after your exchange has started, contact your international coordinator or study counsellor at the University of Gothenburg first. You need their approval for the revised course plan.
If you make changes without contacting us, you risk not being able to get the studies credited.
If you want to end your exchange early
Contact your international coordinator as soon as possible. They can tell you what applies and help you with the next steps.
Your health
Your health matters – even when you are abroad. If you are feeling unwell, anxious, or just need someone to talk to, you can turn to the Student Health Service, just as you would at home.
It is also completely normal to feel a bit thrown off when everything is new – this is often called culture shock, and it can hit either straight away or a little later, once everyday life properly start.
Give yourself time to settle in. Stay in touch with people at home, but also make the effort to get out. If the feeling does not ease off after a few weeks, or starts affecting your daily life – talk to the international office at your host university, or to your coordinator or the Student Health Service back home.
Before you head home: gather your documents
Before you leave your host university, make sure you have all the documentation you might need later, such as course syllabi and reading lists. You will need these when you apply for credit transfer.
Make sure to get hold of:
- Transcript of Records (study certificate). This is sent on to CSN so you can continue receiving student finance.
- Certificate of Attendance. This applies if you were on exchange through Erasmus+. You will need it to receive your full Erasmus scholarship.
Sometimes your Transcript of Records can take a while to arrive – if so, try to get some kind of copy of your grades before you travel home, so you do not end up under time pressure afterwards.
Read about what you need to do once you are back home on the page After your exchange.
Contact
Questions about your exchange
Your international coordinator or study counsellor at your Faculty/Department is your first point of contact – they can help you with everything from course planning and your Learning Agreement to questions that come up along the way.
Student healthcare
You can always turn to the Student healthcare if you need support with anything related to or affecting your studies. You can book an in-person visit, or speak to someone digitally or by phone.
More information and contact details are available on Student healthcare.