Study abroad on your own

Proficiency in the language of instruction is a prerequisite for successful completion of your studies abroad, as lectures are typically conducted in the host country's native language. In addition to meeting the basic eligibility requirements for university studies in Sweden, many foreign universities require a passing score on a language proficiency test.

Contact each university to determine which tests you need to take. These tests are offered only at specific times, and it may take a considerable amount of time to receive the results, so plan ahead.

Common Language Proficiency Tests

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is the most common test for English-speaking universities. This test is often required for admission to American universities and English-language universities in other parts of the world as well.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is accepted by many English-language universities, especially in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.

To be eligible for student aid for studies abroad, you must meet certain requirements:

• You must study full-time for a minimum of 13 weeks.
• The education must be recognized by the authorities in the country of study to ensure the standard of education.

There are also specific requirements depending on the country, type of education, and level of education. You can find more information about student aid for studies abroad on the CSN website:

www.csn.se

Tuition Fees

It is common for foreign universities to have semester fees, and the amount of these fees varies. CSN can grant extra student finance for tuition fees.

Scholarships

Studying abroad can be a bit more expensive than studying in Sweden. There is an opportunity to supplement your finances with scholarships. Apply well in advance, as many scholarships have annual application deadlines.

Information about scholarships you can apply for can be found, among other places, at the Swedish Institute. You can also find a lot of information online. Additionally, you may find information at places such as the library, your municipality, or your congregation.

Scholarships for going abroad

www.si.se, Swedish Institute

Housing

When you go abroad independently, you must arrange accommodation on your own. Some universities offer on-campus housing. If you prefer to live off-campus, the university can likely assist you with addresses. It's also a good idea to arrive well before the start of the course to arrange accommodation.

Insurance

When you are studying abroad on your own, your insurance coverage is especially important. You are responsible for ensuring that your insurance policies cover what you need for your studies abroad.

You must be admitted to and pursue studies at the University of Gothenburg for the credit transfer to be considered. Other studies can be in the form of credits from other universities in Sweden or foreign universities.

What is assessed is that the studies abroad are of the same nature and can be considered to be at the same level as Swedish university education.

The extent of the foreign education is converted in relation to Swedish credits. A prerequisite is that the course/courses are credit-based and can be part of an academic degree at the foreign university.

Make sure to investigate in advance (before you travel) whether you will be able to credit your studies.

Apply for credit transfer

If you want to transfer credits for studies abroad when applying for a degree, you should include your documents with your degree application. Otherwise, fill out the Application for Recognition of Academic Studies Abroad form.

Read more about credit transfer

Within the EU

If you are going to study in an EU country for less than three months, you do not need a residence permit or visa. However, you must have a valid passport. If you are going to study for more than three months, you have the right to a residence permit. In this case, you must be enrolled in an approved educational institution, have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses (according to established norms), and have adequate insurance coverage. You apply for a residence permit after arriving in the country in question.

Outside the EU

For countries outside of Europe, a residence permit (student visa) is required. Contact the respective country's embassy/consulate for more information. Contact details can be found on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Obtaining a residence permit can take a long time. You cannot apply for a residence permit until you have received an acceptance letter from the university where you will be studying.

Certificate of financial resources

Often, a certificate, a "financial statement," is required to prove that you have the financial resources necessary to sustain yourself in the country. Such a certificate is often submitted together with the residence permit application.

Some universities may also require a "financial statement" when you apply for admission.

How to prove your financial resources:

• If you have applied for student aid for studies abroad, CSN can issue a certificate for this.
• You can also provide a bank statement confirming your financial assets, for example, by having your parents certify that they are responsible for your maintenance.
• Within the EU, you, as an EU citizen, can self-certify that you can support yourself during your study stay.