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Short-term mobility
If you who want to experience studying abroad without being away for an entire semester, there may be shorter international opportunities that are more suitable. On this page, you will find information about available such opportunities and how to apply. If you have elective courses within the scope of your program, it may be possible to count, for example, international summer courses as part of your degree.
Short-term international opportunities open for all students at GU
There are several opportunities to gain international experience through shorter stays abroad via the University of Gothenburg (GU). These include summer courses the Nordlys network, and also through the EUTOPIA network. Occasionally, there are other opportunities to get involved or take shorter courses, and these are advertised on this page. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply for the various opportunities below. Please note that the application process is not the same as for regular exchange, and the application period varies depending on the partner institution.
This page will be updated with information from partner universities at the end of December 2025
The University of Gothenburg is a member of Nordlys, an interdisciplinary network for exchange studies within the Nordic region, where several institutions offer free summer courses for our students. For more detailed course offerings, please visit the respective institutions' websites listed below.
If you choose to take a summer course at one of the Nordic universities listed below, you may need to be nominated by GU.
Kindly contact us at exchangestudies@gu.se so we can assist you with the nomination and application process. You may potentially be eligible for a scholarship, but we cannot guarantee this at the moment. More information about scholarships will be available in April.
If you are awarded a scholarship, the amount will vary depending on the number of applicants, the university you are attending, and the duration of your stay. The scholarship amount can range from approximately 250 to 800 euros.
In order apply, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be enrolled at the University of Gothenburg at the time of application.
- By the application deadline, you must be able to show that you have studied at a normal rate. Normal rate of studies means that you have carried out your studies on a full-time or part-time basis in accordance with the rate specified in your admission letter. You also meet the requirement if you have a Nais-certificate and receive study support.
- The summer course is conducted within the framework of your education.
- You must meet the specific requirements of the host university
- You need to provide evidence of sufficient language skills according to the requirements specified by the host university.
Please note that certain courses may have specific requirements – kindly read more on the respective institution's website.
In case of competition for placement, students with the highest number of university credits (HP) will be given priority.
Are you interested in applying for one of these summer schools? Email exchangestudies@gu.se with a transcript of records and a Ladok registration certificate to receive more information.
DENMARK
Aarhus University (2/7-18/7 and 23/7 - 8/8, 2025)
AU Summer University APPLICATION CLOSED
Nomination deadline: March 11, Application deadline: March 18 at 12:00. You need to be nominated to apply. Send your request to exchangestudies@gu.se.
Aarhus University offers a wide range of courses in economics, political science, law, health, natural sciences, and engineering. In addition to the academic program, the university provides assistance with student housing and a social program. The city is known for its white sandy beaches and rich cultural life.
Aarhus University
Information about housing
University of Copenhagen (July and August. Different start dates depending on the course.)
Application deadline: April 1. You apply on your own with no need to be nominated by GU.
International summer courses. The university offers over 30 summer courses at both bachelor's and master's levels in 11 different areas, including medicine, psychology, law, health, media, natural sciences, and engineering. Several courses are offered both online and on campus, with durations ranging from two to four weeks, and from 2.5 to 15 ECTS.
Syddansk University (4/8-15/8, 2025)
Application period: 1 March - 1 May
Summer courses at Syddansk University take place in the cities of Odense and Sønderborg, exciting hubs for Danish innovation and culture. The international summer school offers courses in the fields of Science, Business, and Social Sciences, at both bachelor's and master's levels. In addition to studies, a comprehensive program of social and cultural activities is offered.
You need to be nominated to be exempt from the tuition fee. Kindly send your request to exchangestudies@gu.se no later than April 20, 2025.
FINLAND
University of Eastern Finland (11 -22/8 2025)
UEF Summer School
Application deadline: June 15. The application period opens in January/February, and students are continuously admitted.
UEF's summer courses are offered at the Joensuu campus, located in Lakeland Finland, surrounded by magnificent nature. Here, you can choose from courses in social sciences and natural sciences, philosophy, health, and languages. UEF organizes a range of social activities to complement your studies, including hiking, kayaking, and sauna bathing in one of the many surrounding lakes.
Feel free to contact exchangestudies@gu.se before applying so we can reach out to the institution regarding the application fee
Jyväskylä University (4-15/8, 2025)
Application period: 1/3 – 30/4. The admission decision will be announced on May 26.
Jyväskylä Summer School, one of the oldest and largest summer schools in Finland, offers high-quality courses for master’s students, doctoral students, and postdocs in various fields of natural sciences, mathematics, and information technology. All courses are conducted in English by prominent researchers from around the world, and participation is free of charge. A diverse social program is also offered to participants.
Jyväskylä University Summer School
Information on housing
Åbo University (Orientation Day August 1, on-site courses between 4 –15 August, 2025. Online courses between 1 June-15 August)
Application deadline: April 17
Turku Åbo Summer School offers both digital and on-site courses in various subject areas, ranging from Circular Economy & Technology Assessment to Game Design and Foundations of Multiculturalism. A few days before the courses begin, students have the opportunity to participate in the school's Sustainable Social Program (https://turkuabosummerschool.utu.fi/social-programme/).
Please note that participation includes a course fee, which for 2025 ranges between €225 and €1,100. The optional social program has an additional fee of up to €130.
ICELAND
University of Iceland (1-31/7, 2025)
Application deadline: February 15 APPLICATION CLOSED
If you want to learn more about Iceland's language and culture, the International Summer School in Modern Icelandic Language & Culture could be the perfect opportunity for you. This program is offered in collaboration with the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.
Course fee: approximately 750 euros (paid by the student). A prerequisite for participation is completing the Icelandic Online 1 course, which is offered free of charge.
University of Iceland summer courses
NORWAY
University of Oslo (30/6 - 25/7, 2025)
Application deadline: March 1 APPLICATION CLOSED
UiO offers a wide range of bachelor and master courses, where students can earn 10-20 ECTS per course. Courses are offered in various subject areas that are somehow connected to Norway and Scandinavia, such as gender equality, architecture and sustainability.
Feel free to contact exchangestudies@gu.se before applying so we can reach out to the institution regarding the application fee.
International Summer School at the University of Oslo
University of South-Eastern Norway (2-26/6, 2025, orientation on May 27 and 28) Application deadline: March 1 APPLICATION CLOSED
The International Summer School Hønefoss – International Management and International Marketing offers an intensive five-week program where approximately 60 students gather to study international management and marketing. The program combines lectures with practical experiences and cultural activities. Students stay in modern student housing on campus, with single rooms equipped with private bathrooms. Social and cultural activities, such as excursions to Bergen and Copenhagen, as well as local events, are also included in the program.
International Summer School Hønefoss – International Management and International Marketing
NORDKURS
The University of Gothenburg is actively involved in Nordkurs, a collaboration between universities in the Nordic countries that has been ongoing since the 1960s.
Through Nordkurs, you have the opportunity to attend a summer course in Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, or Norway. You can explore our neighboring countries up close while learning more about the languages and cultures of the Nordic region.
It doesn’t matter what subject you study—anyone can apply for Nordkurs.
Courses are usually held in June-July over approximately three weeks and are organized by various universities and colleges in the Nordic region, such as Århus, Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, Tórshavn, Reykjavik, Bergen, Oslo, Tromsø, and Trondheim.
Admitted students receive a scholarship intended to cover travel and accommodation costs at the study location.
Applications open after New Year, and the deadline is usually March 1. You will be notified of your admission status in early April.
Learn more about Nordkurs and contact elisabeth.andersson@svenska.gu.se for further information.
GU is part of a European university alliance called EUTOPIA. Every year, the member universities of the alliance offer summer schools for students and as a student at GU, you are very welcome to apply for a spot at one of these. Some of these opportunities come with extra costs in the form of tuition fees, while others do not.
Application criteria:
- You must be enrolled at the University of Gothenburg at the time of application.
- By the application deadline, you must be able to show that you have studied at a normal rate. Normal rate of studies means that you have carried out your studies on a full-time or part-time basis in accordance with the rate specified in your admission letter. You also meet the requirement if you have a Nais-certificate and receive study support.
- You must meet the specific requirements of the host university
- You need to provide evidence of sufficient language skills according to the requirements specified by the host university.
In case of competition for placement, students with the highest number of university credits (HP) will be given priority.
Please note that courses will have additional application criterias that vary depending on which university offers them. Read more about this on the webb page for each summer course.
EUTOPIA Innovation Challenges - 17-21 November at VUB, Brussels
Do you want to test your innovative mindset together with other students from Europe? The EUTOPIA Innovation Challenge will be arranged at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, in November 2025. The event engages students in collaborative partnerships and challenge-based initiatives with stakeholders from the public and private sectors. You will gain a ton of experience and get a chance develop your cross-cultural competence. Eight students for the University of Gothenburg will have the chance to go!
Learn more about Innovation Challenges at UPF
Barcelona International Summer School (BISS) (30/6-25/7, 2025)
A unique opportunity for both local and international students with a wide range of credit-bearing courses in English or Spanish. Flexible course formats from one to four weeks, where students can choose from areas such as business, science, and technology. GU students can enjoy significant discounts on course fees.
The application period opens on 3/3, and you apply yourself. The deadline for applications varies depending on different application windows. Please check the website for more information and to download the application manual.
Ljubljana Summer School (7-23/7, 2025)
Offers a wide range of courses in areas such as economics, finance, sustainability, marketing, data analysis, programming, or negotiation techniques, at both undergraduate and master's levels.
The courses take place at the university's School of Economics and Business and are fee-based. However, GU students receive a discount.
For more information, you can visit the website.
Warwick International Intensive Study Programme (WIISP) (2/6-18/7, 2025) APPLICATION CLOSED
Nomination from GU is required to be exempt from any administrative or tuition fees. Kindly contact exchangestudies@gu.se for more information on the selection and nomination process no later than February 20.
The Warwick International Intensive Study Programme (WIISP) offers students a unique opportunity to engage in a two-week immersive academic experience designed to enhance both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The programme runs on an intensive basis, with full-day classroom sessions from 9:00 to 17:00, and is open to undergraduate students from their second year onward. Modules are taken on a credit basis, earning students 7.5 ECTS, and participation is expected throughout the duration of the course.
Courses take place at the University of Warwick in the UK, as well as Warwick’s campuses in Venice and Brussels.
Topics include Multilingualism and Diversity, the History of Global Organised Crime, Global Business Strategy and Sustainability, and A Sustainable Serenissima: Water and the Future of Venice. These modules are structured to go beyond traditional lectures, incorporating practical activities and group work that allow students to engage with their subject matter in a meaningful way. For a more deatiled list of courses please check here.
Warwick Summer School (13/7-2/8. 2025)
Nomination Deadline: 20 February. APPLICATION CLOSED
Feel free to contact exchangestudies@gu.se before applying so we can reach out to the institution regarding the application fee. Kindly attach a certificate of registration and a transcript of records from Ladok.
Over the course of three intensive weeks, you can explore a range of courses in economics, science, business, and social sciences. Each course includes 60 hours of teaching, comprising lectures, seminars, workshops, guest lectures, and group study sessions. In addition, you are expected to complete 90 hours of independent study during the programme.
The below text provides information about shorter international opportunities that you can explore and apply to independently.
Information about summer schools within the alliance is updated on the EUTOPIA web every year. Please keep an eye out on this webpage for more info (to be published in early 2025).
Nordic Centre is a network that brings together Nordic and Chinese universities. The centre is located at Fudan University in Shanghai, one of the most prestigious universities in China. Nordic centre serves as a platform to initiate and develop research and education, and to organise conferences and seminars of mutual interest for Nordic and Chinese researchers and students.
Annually, Nordic Centre hosts summer courses that are open for participation by GU students. University of Gothenburg is welcome to nominate up to three students. In case of competition for placement, students with the highest number of university credits (HP) will be given priority.
Fudan University (11/7 - 25/7, 2025)
Business and Innovation in China APPLICATION CLOSED
Nomination deadline: March 1. If interested, you need to contact exchangestudies@gu.se no later than March 5 to receive the application form.
Nordic Centre Fudan provides the summer course Business and Innovation in China (5 ECTS), encompassing lectures, company visits, and collaborative exercises aimed at enhancing participants' comprehension of engaging in business and innovation within the Chinese context. While primarily tailored for master's students, admission may also be extended to bachelor's students in the advanced stages of their studies.
Business and Innovation in China - Nordic Centre Fudan
Finances
Some of the opportunities presented on this page carry costs that you as a student are responsible for covering. Tuition-fees or administrative fees are a few examples. Summer courses offered through Nordlys usually do not carry such costs – with a few exceptions. Please find more information about costs under each university mentioned above.
When you attend a summer course abroad you as a student will always have to pay for travels, accomodation, and cost of living at the destination and for the period of the course. If the course carries a tuition fee you will also have to cover this.
Credit transfer
Some of the opportunities presented on this page will include the opportunity to earn higher education credits, that can be transferred and counted towards your degree at GU. If you are looking into transferring credits for a summer course, you need to have discussed this with your study concellor or program director prior to the start the summer course. Otherwise it is not certain that you will be able to use the credits earned in the course as part of your degree here at GU.
Please contact your study councellor for any questions you might have regarding credit transfer.
More information can be found here Credit transfer | Student Portal (gu.se)
CSN
If you are eligible for CSN in Sweden and you will be able to count the credits from a summer course towards your degree, you may be able to include this in your grant from CSN. You can find all the information you need regarding this on the CSN webpage.
There are also several summer and winter schools at our GU-wide partner universities that are not listed above. These courses often come with administrative fees and tuition fees that you, as a student, are responsible for. We publish links with information provided by GU's partner universities, but you are responsible for finding additional information and applying for the course on your own.
Summer Programs at UNCW | UNCW
SNU International Summer Program
Kyungpook National University Summer School
CUHK International Summer School
Sofia University Summer and Winter Sessions
Korea University's International Summer Campus
YISS - Yonsei International Summer School
University of Oulo Artic Summer Programme
Summer Programmes at NUS
Contact
Do you have questions about the GU-wide summer courses within the Nordics and at Fudan University? Please contact International Centre at exchangestudies@gu.se
Short-term international opportunities within your study field
If your faculty or department has collaborations with universities that offer summer courses or other short-term opportunities within your subject area, you will find them below.
Contact
Do you have questions about the subject-specific summer courses? Please contact the international coordinator at your department or faculty.