Getting started with exchange studies
Exchange studies allow you to complete part of your study programme at a foreign university. The credits from your exchange can be included in your exam and you will not pay any tuition fee. If you do your exchange studies in Europe, there is often a scholarship included.
What are exchange studies?
As an exchange student, you study courses at a foreign university that the University of Gothenburg has an exchange agreement with (a partner university) for one or two semesters, or for a shorter period. You study in a new academic environment, meet students from all over the world, and gain perspectives you won't find at home.
The courses can be included in your degree, you keep your student funding, and you normally pay no tuition fees (though some universities outside Europe charge a general fee). If you do your exchange within the Erasmus+ program, you are automatically entitled to an Erasmus+ scholarship.
Get started – a simple checklist
Check that you are eligible to go
Before you begin, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility requirements
- You must be a registered student at the University of Gothenburg on the application deadline and the semester before the planned exchange period (or have been granted a leave of absence from your program).
- If you are studying at bachelor's level, you must have completed at least 60 credits at the University of Gothenburg by the time the exchange begins.
- At master's level, there is no requirement for a minimum number of completed credits.
- You must meet the requirements set by the host university, such as language proficiency, grade point average, or number of completed semesters.
- Are you an international fee-paying student? You will need to pay your tuition fee to the University of Gothenburg for the semester you are on exchange before you begin your exchange studies.
- Your faculty or department may have additional eligibility requirements beyond the criteria listed above. The criteria above apply if you are looking to go on exchange for one or two semesters. Different eligibility requirements may apply if you want to go on exchange for a shorter period.
Get a feel for what exchange studies involve
Start by attending an information session – it is the quickest way to get answers to your initial questions. See when the next session is.
Want to hear what it is actually like to go? Read stories from students who have already been on exchange on our Inspiration page.
Think about your own situation
Does your situation in Sweden allow you to go abroad? Think through your finances: what does accommodation cost at home and abroad, and what scholarship opportunities are available to you? Also consider whether there are other factors that affect your situation, such as family or work.
Understand the full process
Applying for and going on exchange studies requires planning and time – it is not a quick process. You need to keep track of deadlines, gather documents, and sometimes wait a long time for decisions. But for many students, the exchange becomes one of the most valued parts of their studies.
An exchange gives you more than academic credits – it gives you the opportunity to study in a new environment and gain experiences and perspectives that can be hard to find any other way.
Exchange studies – step by step
- Plan well in advance
Applications are normally submitted once per academic year and apply to the following autumn semester. This means you need to get started well before you want to go. - Apply to the University of Gothenburg to be nominated for exchange studies
The application period is 10 December – 1 February. Late applications are not accepted. - Nomination decision
After a few weeks, you will receive an email letting you know whether you have been nominated. A nomination means that the University notifies the partner university that you are our selected candidate – it is not a final admission decision. - Apply to your host university
You accept or decline the nomination. If you accept, you submit a detailed application directly to the university you have been nominated to – your host university. They make the final decision; the vast majority of nominated students are admitted. - Letter of acceptance
You receive an official admission decision from the host university confirming that you have been admitted as an exchange student. - Prepare for departure
Book travel, arrange accommodation, and sort out other practicalities before your time abroad. Some universities guarantee a place in campus accommodation, but sometimes you need to arrange this yourself. - Complete your exchange
Study your courses and take part in student life on location. - Come home
Apply for credit transfer for your courses and share your experiences.
Ready to apply?
Different programs have different semesters when exchange works best – and different partner universities that may be relevant to you. Before you decide to go ahead with an application, it is worth finding out what applies to your situation.
Everything you need to prepare can be found on the Prepare and apply for exchange studies page.
Students with study adjustments
Exchange studies are normally carried out full-time, but if you are studying part-time with documentation from NAIS, RIU, or similar, there may still be options for you to go.
If you need study adjustments – no matter the reason – contact your international coordinator or the International Centre at exchangestudies@gu.se as soon as you start thinking about which universities to apply to. The earlier you get in touch, the better – this way you can avoid applying to universities that are not able to meet your needs.
If you are going on an exchange within Europe and receive an Erasmus+ scholarship, you may in some cases be able to apply for additional financial support. Read more on the Erasmus+ page.
Contact
Help getting started
You can always contact your study counsellor or international coordinator at your faculty or department when you start thinking about going on exchange.
Contact details can be found on the Contact your international coordinator page.
