Exchange application and acceptance
Planning your exchange studies
Once you have been nominated to go on an exchange by your home university, you will receive a link to Lund University’s online application for nominated exchange students (SoleMove) as well as contact details from your coordinator at Lund University. This is usually sent out the day before the application period opens. You do not apply for exchange studies via University Admissions in Sweden.
The academic year
The academic year consists of two semesters:
Autumn semester:
- Study period 1: September–October
- Study period 2: November–January
Spring semester:
- Study period 3: January–March
- Study period 4: April–June
Study plan
A total of 30 credits is considered the normal full-time study load per semester. Students typically take four courses of 7.5 credits per semester.
Each semester is divided into two study periods. Students are generally advised to take two courses in each study period.
We encourage you to choose alternative course options in case you do not meet the admission requirements for your preferred course choices, when there is a timetable clash, or if no places are available on the course.
At Lund University, we do not have an Add/Drop period – please consider this when you select your courses. This means that the changes you can make are very limited and can only be made in the first few weeks after you arrive in Lund.
The illustration below shows examples of a study plan structure.
The illustration shows an example of how you can divide your courses over a study year. One example is four courses á 7.5 credits per semester. Another example is one course á 15 credits, and two courses á 7.5 credits each per semester. A third option is two courses á 15 credits per semester.
Application for courses and housing
Online application for courses
The course application period for nominated exchange students runs from 1–15 April for autumn semester studies and from 1–15 October for spring studies.
After you have been nominated for exchange studies by your home university, you will receive a system-generated email with login details as well as a link to the combined online exchange student application for the following:
- Your selected study courses – i.e. all regular courses, including Special Area Studies (SAS) and Swedish Language for Exchange Students (SVEE)
- Swedish Introductory Language course (SUSA) – offered before the start of the semester
- Mentor programme
You can prepare for your application by reading our Application guide webpage or watching the video guide below. For the best experience, watch with sound on and/or with subtitles.
Application guide for incoming exchange students – (Please note that this is an updated web version of what is referred to in the video as the 'PDF guide'.)
Check your courses with your home university
Discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home university, to verify whether you will be able to receive credits. If your course selections need to be changed at a later stage, please keep your academic advisor at your home university informed. However, please note that there is no Add/Drop period at Lund University.
You have to upload your transcript of records in order for us to be able to review your eligibility for the courses of your choice. We also need to establish whether there are any available places for these courses.
Housing application
You can apply for housing in several different ways. One of them is through LU Accommodation. Their housing application period for nominated exchange students runs from 3–17 April for autumn 2023 studies and 1–14 November for spring 2024 studies.
Information on housing options on the housing webpage
Letter of Acceptance
Once we have received and evaluated your application against the admission requirements and course availability, your nomination for the exchange will be finalised and you will be sent a 'Letter of Acceptance' from Lund University.
Students will find out whether or not they are accepted within 1–2 months of the submission of their application.
The Letter of Acceptance comes from your coordinator at Lund University and this person will be a key contact and support you in organising your exchange studies.
It is very important to print the Letter of Acceptance, as you will need to bring this with you to Lund University and present it on several occasions during the first few weeks. You will also need the Letter of Acceptance to be able to complete your residence permit application.
When to apply
You apply to be nominated for an exchange at your home university during their application period.
Nominated exchange students apply during 1 April–15 April for autumn semester exchange studies and 1 October–15 October for spring semester exchange studies.
Key information
- Exchange students are required to follow a full-time study plan of 30 credits per semester. Typically this will mean four courses per semester (two courses per study period).
- Choose alternative courses in your application to allow for some flexibility.
- You will be sent the link to the combined online application for all courses and the mentor programme, as well as the link to the housing application.
- Check your course selections with your home university.
- Once your application is accepted, you will receive a 'Letter of Acceptance' from your coordinator at Lund University.
Application guide
Read the Application guide or watch the video guide:
Application guide for incoming exchange students
Already applied?
Learn about other important preparations you need to make before you come to Lund.
Orientation Weeks
Find out what the Orientation Weeks are like for incoming exchange students.