Course literature

Reading lists

University programmes and courses often have long reading lists. These are usually available at the start of the course and include the books you are expected to read or buy. 

Books can be expensive and may cost several thousand Swedish kronor each semester. You can save money by borrowing books from the library or buying used books.

Avoid buying all your books on the first day, but try not to wait too long either. Some of the books on the list are for reference only, so you may only need to consult them in the library. Borrowing from the university libraries or from former students is often the most affordable option.

Borrowing from the library

You can usually find the books on your reading list at your subject library. 

Books on reading lists can usually only be borrowed for 14 days from faculty libraries, so it is a good idea to plan when you want to borrow the book, either early or late in the course. 

If a book is already on loan, you can reserve it. Students can borrow books from any of the university libraries.

• Visit the Lund University Libraries website
• The library network at Lund University

Used books

Buying used books is another good way to save money. You can find them in shops or online.You can also sell your books after the course to help cover future costs.

Before you buy, check that:

• the book is the correct edition (editions may vary significantly)
• there are no handwritten notes in the book, especially if you are allowed to bring books to the exam (notes could be considered cheating)

As a guide, a used book in very good condition usually costs about 60% of the original price. A well-used copy should be cheaper.

New books

If you buy new books, make sure they are the correct edition. Bookshops may not always stock the latest versions.

Also check delivery times. A book that arrives after your exam is of little use.