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. This is usually sent out shortly before the application period opens. Please note that 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 illustrations below show examples of how you can divide your courses over a study year. If you are only studying for one semester, any one of the shown semester examples could apply to you.
One example is four courses á 7.5 credits per semester:
A second example is one course á 15 credits, two courses á 7.5 credits each for the autumn semester, and two á 15 credits for the spring semester:
A third example is one course á 15 credits and two courses á 7.5 credits each for the autumn semester. One option is to have several courses starting during the same period. In this case it is period 3 of the spring semester, one of which lasts the whole semester, i.e. period 3-4, combined with a final course starting in period 4:
Application for courses and housing
Online application for courses
The course application period for nominated exchange students normally runs from:
- 1–15 April for autumn semester studies
- 1–15 October for spring studies
However, if these dates fall on a weekend or public holiday, we reserve the right to adjust the application start date to the first regular working day thereafter.
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 (Solemove) 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
Please note that in order to apply for the SUSA course, you have to list it in the Proposed study plan in SoleMove.
You can prepare for your application by reading our Application guide webpage.
Application guide for incoming exchange students
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
Like in many other university cities, housing is always in great demand in Lund. We therefore strongly advise students to be active in their search for accommodation and to apply for accommodation through several different agencies.
The main accommodation agencies at Lund University, which we recommend all exchange students apply through:
LU Accommodation is part of Student Services at Lund University. Most international students apply through LU Accommodation, and in doing so, students are ensured to receive information about other housing alternatives, even if they are not offered housing via LU Accommodation. The application for new students (called 'Novisch') opens in mid-November for the spring semester and in late April for the autumn semester.
AF Bostäder is the largest provider of student accommodation in Lund with approximately 6 000 rooms and apartments. The application opens in mid-December for the spring semester and mid-July for the autumn semester.
BoPoolen.nu is the Student Union's housing service that connects landlords and students in Lund through advertisements and works for a more secure housing situation for the students. They also provide guidelines and tips for finding accommodation. Their website is always available, but most advertisements appear closer to the start of the semester.
We strongly recommend that students arrange accommodation for the full semester before arriving in Lund. However, in some cases, Bopoolen may be able to assist with short-term accommodation once students have arrived.
Read more about how to find housing and the different agencies:
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 either download and save a copy, or print, the Letter of Acceptance, as you will need to present it on several occasions during the first few weeks in Lund. 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. Unless these dates fall on a weekend or public holiday, in which case we reserve the right to adjust the application start date to the first regular working day thereafter.
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 an email with log-in information to the online application shortly before the application opens, after you have been nominated by your home university.
- 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.
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.