Pre-study checklist
To help you understand what you need to do before the start of the semester, we've created a checklist that covers all the essentials.
Before you move to Sweden
If you're an international student, there are several things you should know and do before you move here. Learn about residence permits, student housing and other things to prepare for your arrival in Gothenburg on Planning your stay on gu.se.
To do before your studies start
1. Check if you need to respond to your offer
First round: You do not need to respond on Universityadmissions.se, but the University of Gothenburg may ask you to confirm your place directly – check your offer for instructions. Not taking up your place? Decline it on Universityadmissions.se so it can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
Second round: You must respond on Universityadmissions.se to secure your place.
2. Keep up with University updates
From the time you are admitted until the start of term, information will be sent out both from the University centrally and from your program or course. This may include practical preparations, welcome activities and important dates.
Make sure to keep an eye on:
- Your email – this is where you will receive your offer of admission, welcome information and practical details
- The Student Portal – this is where information from the University and your Department is gathered. Once you have activated your student account, you can log in to automatically see information relevant to your studies. Without logging in, you can search for your program or course manually.
Important information to look out for:
- When you can activate your student account
- When the registration period for your studies opens and how registration works
- Which day your studies begin and where you need to be
- Whether you can take part in any welcome activities
3. Activate your student account – from 10 August
Your student account is your key to the University of Gothenburg's systems – activate your student account to register for your studies and use the University's digital services.
4. Get your course literature
Every course has a reading list, which should be available no later than eight weeks before the course starts. You can choose to buy the books or borrow them from the library.
5. Find your schedule
Your schedule should be available no later than two weeks before your course starts – until then it is provisional and may change. Check important dates for teaching and examinations so you can plan the term ahead of time.
6. Register for your studies
Without registration you cannot take part in your studies and risk losing your place. Registration normally opens one week before the start of term and is usually done via Ladok – sometimes those responsible for your program or course handle it for you.
If you have questions, or if you have missed the registration deadline, contact those responsible for your program or course directly.
Do you need disability study support? If you have a long-term documented disability, you can receive disability study support arranged with a coordinator at the University. Apply as soon as you have been admitted.
Also worth doing
Order a GU card (if you need one)
The GU card works as an access card to your campus buildings, a library card at the University Library and access to the University's printers. You will need it to access premises outside opening hours and certain areas of the buildings – but not from your first day, so there is plenty of time to order one.
Not all students need a GU card – it depends on where you study. Some premises, such as Steneby, Mariestad and Chalmers, have their own access systems. You will receive information if this applies to you.
Read more and order your GU card
Update your contact details
To make sure you do not miss important information from the University during your studies, we need your details to be up to date. Keep your details up to date across the University's systems.
How to update your contact details
Get started with digital tools
Your student account gives you access to a range of systems and services you will use throughout your studies. Our introduction to digital services gives you an overview of the most important ones.
Learn how the University works
New to university, or has it been a while since you last studied? Here you will find an introduction to what it is like to study at the University of Gothenburg.
