Options for learning Swedish
Whether you would like to learn some Swedish alongside your degree or courses, or your goal is to achieve a formal qualification in Swedish, there is a host of excellent opportunities for students at Lund University.
Options for learning Swedish depend somewhat on whether you are an exchange student or a degree student, the duration of your studies and whether or not you pay tuition fees.
Exchange students
For exchange students, the two main options are:
- An Introductory Swedish Language Course (SUSA) that is offered during the orientation weeks (3 ECTS, if successfully completed)
- Swedish Language Courses (SVE) that can be taken as a part of your study plan (7.5 ECTS per course, if successfully completed)
SUSA and SVE Swedish language courses for exchange students
Degree students
Studying a one-year degree programme
If you are studying a one-year degree programme, you are eligible for an introductory Swedish course that runs for 2–3 weeks. You will receive a link to sign up for this course around early June. Please note that places are limited and that students who pay tuition fees (non-EU/EEA students) are given preference.
Studying a degree programme longer than one year
If you are studying a degree programme that takes longer than one year to complete, you are eligible for so-called ‘Swedish for Immigrants’ (SFI) courses offered by a school for adult education, ‘Komvux’, in your city of residence. Note that you need a Swedish personal identification number (‘personnummer’) in order to be able to apply for these courses. After you have arrived in Sweden, you should apply for this personal identification number from the Swedish Tax Agency (‘Skatteverket’) as soon as possible. Once you have received it, you can apply for SFI courses. The courses are free of charge, but be aware that there may be long waiting lists, as there are many applicants and a limited number of places.
- The Swedish personal identification number – Swedish Tax Agency website
- SFI courses in Lund – Lund Municipality website
- SFI courses in Malmö – City of Malmö website (in Swedish)
- SFI courses in Helsingborg – Helsingborg City website (in Swedish)
All exchange and degree students
All exchange and degree students can also apply for freestanding beginners and continuation courses of 7.5 ECTS each during the 'Swedish student' application periods (15 March–15 April for studies commencing in autumn and 15 September–15 October for studies commencing in spring). These courses are offered within the Study Abroad Swedish Language programmes.
About the freestanding Swedish courses – Centre for Languages and Literature website
PhD students
At Lund University, PhD students and postdoctoral fellows are considered as employees. The University offers Swedish courses for employees (SFU). Discuss this option with your supervisor and find more information by clicking the link below.
Swedish courses for employees – lu.se
Other options open to all students
Learning outside the classroom: language cafés
For those who want to learn Swedish in a more informal way, while enjoying a fika, there are several language cafés to choose from. These include:
Eos Kulturbro, hosted by EOS Cares
Mondays 18:00–19:30 | S:t Petri Kyrkogata 6, Lunds Stadsbibliotek
Swedes and internationals can meet to mingle, network, get to know each other, ask questions and speak about different topics in Swedish, and get to know more about Swedish culture. You don’t need to sign up beforehand.
Follow the recurring EOS Kulturbro event on Facebook
Eos Prata Svenska, hosted by Eos Cares
Wednesdays 10:00–12:00 | Arkivgatan 32, Eoshallen
This language café is part of a programme for integration and social responsibility (Eos Cares). It is open to anyone who would like to practise their Swedish. You don’t need to sign up beforehand.
For more information, join the Facebook group or follow the recurring event on Facebook
Café Multilingua, hosted by the HT student union and SOL
Wednesdays 17:00–19:00 | Helgonabacken 12, SOL, Absalom
Lund University students can practise their Swedish as well several other languages with each other at this language café. You don’t need to sign up beforehand, but you do need to prove that you are a member of Studentlund in order to be able to participate.
Read more on the Café Multilingua Facebook page or on the HT student union website
Eos Language Café, hosted by Eos Cares
Saturdays 13:00–15:00 | Arkivgatan 32, Eoshallen
This language café is part of a programme for integration and social responsibility (Eos Cares). It is open to anyone who would like to practise Swedish or other languages. You don’t need to sign up beforehand.
Read more at the Eos Facebook page
More language cafés in and around Lund (PDF 116 kB, new window)
Paid courses
Folkuniversitetet (a local provider of adult education) offers Swedish language courses for beginners, intermediate learners and advanced learners. Courses are available in Lund, Malmö and Helsingborg. These courses involve costs.
About paid Swedish courses – Folkuniversitetet website
MOOC in Academic writing/Akademiskt skrivande
If you are already proficient and would like to learn more specifically about academic writing in Swedish, you can enrol in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Academic writing/Akademiskt skrivande offered by Lund University via coursera.org.
Full-time Swedish studies
If you would like to develop a profound knowledge of the Swedish language and/or achieve a formal qualification in Swedish to become eligible for studies in Swedish at a Swedish Higher Education Institution, Lund University's full-time Study Abroad Swedish Language programmes are the recommended course of action.