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Exchange studies in the Nordic Countries
Discover culture, nature and student life in one of our closest neighbors - Norway, Denmark, Finland or Iceland.
Most exchange opportunities in the Nordic region are offered within the framework of the Nordplus/Nordlys network. This means that those who are nominated for an exchange in the Nordic region usually can get a scholarship for their exchange studies (in most cases an Erasmus+ Scholarship). This applies regardless of whether you have been assigned a subject-specific exchange via your Faculty/Department (Nordplus) or a cross-disciplinary exchange (Nordlys).
The following countries are available for the NORDLYS/NORDPLUS scholarships: Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
If you want to go on an exchange within the Nordic region, you should first contact your faculty or department to see if there is any subject-specific cooperation with the university you are interested in. If there is no such cooperation at your faculty or department, or if you want to study courses outside your main subject, you are welcome to apply for an exchange via the interdisciplinary network Nordlys.
Read more about the Nordplus/Nordlys scholarship
Nordlys - GU-wide exchange spots
The Nordlys interdisciplinary network enables exchanges at 32 higher education institutions in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
For a complete list of available Nordic universities, go to:
Application Period
Applications to universities within the multidisciplinary NORDLYS network are accepted once a year 10 December – 1 February for exchange studies in the subsequent academic year (both autumn and spring semester).
Remember to find out if your Faculty/Department has any subject-specific exchange agreements in place that you can take advantage of. In some cases you may find that additional application periods are available.
More information about applying can be found here.
Higher Education in the Nordic Region
The higher education systems are very similar across the Nordic region.
Language Skills
Exchange studies in the Nordic region are usually carried out in the respective domestic language, but courses taught in English may also be available. See the websites of the respective universities for more specific information about courses and languages of instruction.
Scholarships
Exchange studies in the Nordic region, within the multidisciplinary network NORDLYS, will be part of the Erasmus program from Autumn 2022. This means that students that have been nominated for exchange within NORDLYS will most likely receive an Erasmus scholarship for their exchange studies, with the exemption of students attending the University of Faroe Islands, which is not part of the Erasmus program.
Denmark
This section provides information about the GU-wide agreements in Denmark within NORDLYS. Students on GU-wide exchange agreements can choose courses both in Danish and English. If your department at GU has its own subject-specific agreements with universities, you should apply to these first.
University of Copenhagen:
The University of Copenhagen is a large university founded in 1479, with approximately 37,000 students. The university has 4 campuses, three of which are in Copenhagen and one in Taastrup.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Danish & English
Subjects/Courses:
The University of Copenhagen consists of 6 faculties, offering a broad range of courses. Information about the courses available to exchange students can be found via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
- Autumn term: end of August – end of January
- Spring term: end of January – end of June
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation through the Housing Foundation Copenhagen, but there is no accommodation guarantee.
Read about accommodation here
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Aarhus University
Aarhus University was founded in 1928 and has approximately 40,000 students. It is a nationwide university, and in addition to its main campus in Aarhus, it also has campuses in Herning and Emdrup, and a new campus will soon open in Foulum.
Language of instruction:
Danish & English
Subjects/Courses:
Aarhus University offers a wide range of courses across its four faculties. However, there are restrictions in the following areas: Business, Economics, Political Science, Law, Psychology, and Medicine. Medicine is not available to students on the Nordlys/Erasmus agreement and is referred to a subject-specific Nordplus agreement managed by the Department of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg.
Information about course restrictions
Term dates:
- Autumn term: end of August – end of January
- Spring term: end of January – end of June
Accommodation:
Aarhus University offers accommodation for international students. However, there is no accommodation guarantee.
Information about accommodation
Special educational support:
Information about special educational support
Aalborg University
Aalborg University was founded in 1974 and has approximately 17,000 students across its three campuses in Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen.
Language of instruction:
Danish & English
Subjects/Courses:
Aalborg University offers a broad range of courses across its 4 faculties. Medicine is not available to students on the Nordlys/Erasmus agreement and is referred to a subject-specific Nordplus agreement managed by the Department of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg.
Information about course offerings
Term dates:
- Autumn term: end of August – end of January
- Spring term: end of January – end of June
Accommodation:
Aalborg University offers various accommodation options for exchange students.
Information about student housing
Special educational support:
Information about special educational support
University of Southern Denmark, Odense
The University of Southern Denmark was founded and has approximately 21,000 students. The university consists of 6 campuses in Odense, Esbjerg, Kolding, Copenhagen, Slagelse, and Sønderborg.
Language of instruction:
Danish & English
Subjects/Courses:
The University of Southern Denmark offers a wide range of courses in many subject areas. Medicine is not available to students on the Nordlys/Erasmus agreement and is referred to a subject-specific Nordplus agreement managed by the Department of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg.
Information about course offerings
Term dates:
- Autumn term: end of August – end of January
- Spring term: end of January – end of June
Accommodation:
All incoming exchange students are guaranteed student housing.
Information about accommodation
Special educational support:
Information about special educational support
Roskilde University
Roskilde University is a public university founded in 1972. The university consists of 4 faculties and has approximately 7,000 students.
Language of instruction:
Danish & English
Subjects/Courses:
Roskilde University offers a wide range of courses. Journalism is not available to students on the Nordlys/Erasmus agreement.
Information about course offerings
Term dates:
- Autumn term: end of August – end of January
- Spring term: end of January – end of June
Accommodation:
Roskilde University offers a limited number of student accommodations, but there is no accommodation guarantee.
Information about accommodation
Special educational support:
Information about special educational support
Iceland
Here is information about the GU wide exchange agreements we have in Iceland within the NORDLYS network.
Students on GU wide exchange agreements can choose courses in both Icelandic and English. If your department at GU has its own subject-specific agreements with the university, you should apply to these first.
University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is located in the capital city of Reykjavik. The university was founded in 1911 and has about 8,000 students across 25 faculties in five areas of study.
Information for Exchange Students
Language of Instruction
Icelandic & English
Subject Areas/Courses
The University of Iceland consists of 25 faculties with a wide range of courses. You can find information about the courses available to exchange students via the link below.
Please note that 60% of the courses must be within the student's main area of study.
Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, and Pharmacy are not available within the Nordlys network, and students will be referred to subject-specific agreements. The Faculty of Law and Economics is not open to undergraduate students.
Here you can find the course pages
Semester Dates
Autumn Semester: Late August – Late December
Spring Semester: Early January – Mid June
Accommodation
Exchange students can apply for housing through the university, but the availability is very limited, and there is no housing guarantee. The competition is fierce, and housing is expensive in Reykjavik, about 800 euros per month.
Read about accommodation here
Special Study Support
Read about Special Study support here
Reykjavik University
Reykjavik University was founded in 1998 and has about 3,800 students. It is primarily a technical university, offering programs in economics, computer science, law, and science and engineering.
Information for Exchange Students
Language of Instruction
Icelandic & English
Subject Areas/Courses
Reykjavik University has a broad range of courses. The following subject areas are not available for exchange students within the GU wide exchange agreement: MBA, MPM, Clinical Psychology.
Information about the course catalog
Semester Dates
Autumn Semester: Late August – Late December
Spring Semester: Early January – Mid June
Accommodation
Exchange students can apply for housing through the university, but availability is very limited, and there is no housing guarantee. The competition is fierce, and housing is expensive in Reykjavik, about 800 euros per month.
Information about accommodation
Special Study Support
Information about special Study support
University of Akureyri
The University of Akureyri was founded in 1987 and has about 1,800 students. The university offers programs in healthcare, law, social sciences, education, natural sciences, and economics.
Information for Exchange Students
Language of Instruction
Icelandic & English
Subject Areas/Courses
The University of Akureyri offers a wide range of courses, and courses in English are available in the Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, and their Business Faculty.
The following subject areas are not available for exchange students within the GU wide Nordlys agreement: Nursing & Occupational Therapy.
Information about the course offerings
Semester Dates
Autumn Semester: Late August – Late January
Spring Semester: Late January – Late June
Accommodation
The University of Akureyri offers various accommodation options for exchange students with a housing guarantee.
Information about student accommodation
Special Study Support
Information about special study support
Finland
This section provides information about the GU-wide agreements in Finland within NORDLYS. Students on GU-wide exchange agreements can choose courses both in Swedish (at the Universities that offer courses in Swedish) and English. If your department at GU has its own subject-specific agreements with universities, you should apply to these first.
University of Helsinki
The University of Oslo is a broad-based university founded in 1811. It is thus the oldest and second largest university in Norway. The university has approximately 32,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
The University of Oslo consists of 8 faculties with a wide range of courses. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Geoscience have restrictions. Students are referred to subject-specific agreements. Courses in Psychology and Life Sciences are in high demand.
Course information
Term dates:
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: mid-January – mid June
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: beginning of January – mid July
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: Early of January – mid June
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: Early of January – mid June
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: Early of January – mid June
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: Early of January – mid June
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: Early of January – mid June
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: Early of January – mid June
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: Early of January – End of May
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Vaasa
University of Vaasa is a small university founded in 1968 with about 6,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Vaasa consists of 4 faculties, mainly offering courses in Business, Administrative Sciences, Communication, and Technology. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation via the University.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University is a Swedish-speaking university with campuses in Turku and Vaasa. It is the only entirely Swedish-speaking university outside Sweden with more than one faculty. Founded in 1918, it has around 6,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
Åbo Akademi University consists of 4 faculties with a wide range of courses.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for housing via TYS – Turku Student Village Foundation.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Tampere University
Tampere University is a comprehensive university founded in 1920 with approximately 18,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
Tampere University has 8 faculties offering a broad course selection. There are restrictions for Medicine, students are referred to subject-specific agreements. Courses in Psychology are high in demand.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for housing via TREY.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Turku
University of Turku is a comprehensive university founded in 1920 with around 18,000 students. It is Finland’s second largest university and the world’s oldest Finnish-language university.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Turku consists of 8 faculties with a broad course offering. There are restrictions in Medicine, Economics, and Law, students are referred to subject-specific agreements.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for housing via TYS – Turku Student Village Foundation.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Eastern Finland
University of Eastern Finland is a comprehensive university with campuses in Kuopio and Joensuu. It was established in 2010 through the merger of the universities of Kuopio and Joensuu and has around 17,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Eastern Finland consists of 4 faculties with a wide range of courses. English and other language courses, as well as Medicine, are only available to students who have these as their main subject at GU.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for housing via the university’s housing partner. The campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio are about two hours apart, so students should choose one city to live and study in. Commuting between the cities is not feasible.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Jyväskylä
University of Jyväskylä is a comprehensive university founded in 1966, with around 15,000 students. The university also hosts an annual international summer school.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Jyväskylä has 7 faculties offering a broad range of courses.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for housing via the university. No housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Oulu
University of Oulu is a comprehensive university founded in 1958, with about 13,000 students. The university is affiliated with the Giellagas Institute, which has national responsibility in Finland for providing education in Sámi languages and culture and conducting related research.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Oulu has 7 faculties offering a broad range of courses.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Housing for incoming exchange students is organised by the local student housing foundation, PSOAS. They offer affordable student housing located right next to Linnanmaa campus.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Lapland
University of Lapland located in Rovaniemi, was founded in 1991. As the northernmost university in the EU, it has about 4,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Finish & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Lapland has 4 faculties offering a broad range of courses.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for housing through the student housing organization DAS. No housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Norway
This section provides information about the GU-wide agreements in Norway within NORDLYS. Students on GU-wide exchange agreements can choose courses both in Norwegian and English. If your department at GU has its own subject-specific agreements with universities, you should apply to these first.
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is a broad-based university founded in 1811. It is thus the oldest and second largest university in Norway. The university has approximately 32,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Norwegian & English
Subjects/Courses:
The University of Oslo consists of 8 faculties with a wide range of courses. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Geoscience have restrictions. Students are referred to subject-specific agreements. Courses in Psychology and Life Sciences are in high demand.
Course information
Term dates:
- Autumn term: mid-August – mid December
- Spring term: mid-January – mid June
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is a public university founded in 1946. It has approximately 18,000 students and is a world-leading university in research.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Norwegian & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Bergen consists of 6 faculties offering a wide range of courses. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
There are restrictions in Medicine, Law, Art, Music, and Design. Students are referred to subject-specific agreements.
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation on campus with housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Stavanger
The University of Stavanger is a public university founded in 2005. It has approximately 13,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Norwegian & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Stavanger consists of 6 faculties offering a wide range of courses. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation on campus with housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of Agder
The University of Agder is a public university located in Kristiansand. It was founded in 2007 and has approximately 15,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Norwegian & English
Subjects/Courses:
University of Agder consists of 7 faculties offering a wide range of courses. Restrictions in Nursing. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation on campus. No housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
NTNU is a public university located in Trondheim, Norway, with campuses also in Gjøvik and Ålesund. The university was founded in 1996 and has approximately 42,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Norwegian & English
Subjects/Courses:
NTNU consists of 9 faculties offering a wide range of courses. Students in Medicine and Music are referred to subject-specific agreements.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation on campus. No housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Arctic University of Norway (UiT)
The Arctic University of Norway is a public university located in Tromsø, Norway, with campuses in several nearby cities. As the world’s northernmost university, it was founded in 1968 and has approximately 16,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Norwegian & English
Subjects/Courses:
UiT consists of 7 faculties offering a wide range of courses. There are restrictions in Medicine and Music. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation on campus. No housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
University of South-Eastern Norway
The University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) is a public university with campuses in Tønsberg, Bø, Telemark, Porsgrunn, Notodden, Rauland, Drammen, Hønefoss, Kongsberg, and Horten. The university was founded in 2015 and has approximately 17,000 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Norwegian & English
Subjects/Courses:
USN consists of 7 faculties offering a wide range of courses. There are restrictions in Medicine and Music.
You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Term dates:
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation on campus. No housing guarantee.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Greenland
This section provides information about the GU-wide agreements in Greenland within NORDLYS. Students on GU-wide exchange agreements can choose courses both in Danish and English. If your department at GU has its own subject-specific agreements with universities, you should apply to these first.
University of Greenland
The University of Greenland is a small university founded in 1987. The university is located in Nuuk and has approximately 700 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Danish, Greenlandic & English
Subjects/Courses:
The University of Greenland consists of 4 faculties with a wide range of courses. Please note that the course offer in English is limited. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
- Autumn term: beginning of September – end of January
- Spring term: beginning of February – end of June
Accommodation:
Exchange students can apply for accommodation through the Government of Greenland.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Faroe Islands
This section provides information about the GU-wide agreements in Greenland within NORDLYS. Students on GU-wide exchange agreements can choose courses both in Danish and English. If your department at GU has its own subject-specific agreements with universities, you should apply to these first.
University of Greenland
The University of Greenland is a small university founded in 1987. The university is located in Nuuk and has approximately 700 students.
Information for exchange students
Language of instruction:
Faroise & English
Subjects/Courses:
The University of Greenland consists of 4 faculties with a wide range of courses. Please note that the course offer in English is limited. You can find information about which courses are open to exchange students via the link below.
Course information
Term dates:
- Autumn term: end of August– end of December
- Spring term: beginning of January– mid June
Accommodation:
Exchange students need to find housing on their own.
Special educational support:
Read about educational support here
Contact
For questions about GU-wide exchange spots, please contact International Centre.
Nordplus - exchange spots at your faculty/department
Below you will find information about which exchange places your department or faculty has within the Nordic region. If you do not find any information, it means that there are no agreements in your subject area.
Contact
For questions about exchange spots within your study field, please contact the international coordinator at your faculty or department.