Before your departure
Preparations for Lund University students nominated for exchange
There is a lot to think about before you go on a student exchange. You will need to find out most things on your own. Make sure that you are well-informed about insurance, visa, vaccinations, student finance and accommodation!
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- Going on an exchange autumn 2021
- Preparations before your departure
- Stay informed about the safety situation and travel recommendations
- Your insurance during the exchange
- The Erasmus mobility grant within Europe
- Adapting to a new environment
- Being a student ambassador abroad
- Studies or internship abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Other students' experiences
Going on an exchange autumn 2021
The written and video content on this webpage give an overview of the key preparations you need to make before your exchange.
Watch on YouTube: Practical preparations before your exchange
Preparations before your departure
If you are eligible to receive Swedish study aid, it is advisable to apply to CSN for two semesters (the study semester and the following semester), even if you are going abroad for only one semester. Receiving your transcript and getting your credits registered in Ladok may take some time. Sometimes you may need to attach a document confirming the semester dates at the host university (Letter of Acceptance or Academic Calendar). Do not forget to notify CSN if your study conditions change.
Make sure that your passport is valid for the entire study period and for an additonal six months after your study period.
Find out if you need a visa for the country where you are going to study. Remember to find out if you may apply for a visa from Sweden or if you have to apply form your country of origin. You are responsible for the visa application process. You can apply only when you have received your Letter of Acceptance. However, before this, find out which documents you need for your visa application. Sometimes there may be requirements such as a medical certificate.
Find out what vaccinations that are recommended for the country where you are going to study as well as countries you may want to visit in connection to your exchange.
About vaccinations – vaccinationsguiden.se (in Swedish)
The WHO also provides travel recommendations and information about vaccinations.
Recommendations and vaccination information – WHO website
Remember to bring documentation that proves which vaccinations you already have. It is difficult and may be expensive to sort that out while abroad. Please note that Student UT does not cover vaccination costs.
Improve your language skills by taking a course in the host language before starting the exchange semester. Some universities may offer students an introductory language course before/when the semester starts (in some cases free of charge). Please note that these language courses often cannot be accredited as part of your degree. Any costs for language courses should be paid by the student.
Receiving your Letter of Acceptance and your visa may take time. Your coordinator at Lund University is not in a position to speed up these processes. Therefore we recommend leisure travels after your exchange period.
Don’t forget to apply for courses at Lund University for the semester following your study period abroad.
As an exchange student, you are still a student at Lund University, and it must be possible for your exchange studies to be accredited towards your degree. Learn more about credit transfer on the faculties' websites and follow the instructions from your faculty to assure transfer of credits. If you change courses after arriving at the host university, you must ensure that your new study plan can be accredited at Lund University, usually by a study counsellor, your home department/faculty or the international office at your faculty. Find out what applies to you.
We recommend that you collect as much information as possible about the courses you study at the host university, including detailed course descriptions, reading lists and schedules. This material can complement your transcript and facilitate credit transfer upon your return.
The exchange agreements of Lund University are reciprocal. This means that we are committed to receive as many incoming
exchange students as we send. As the housing situation is always a challenge for incoming students, we would appreciate your help. If you are interested in subletting, please contact your landlord and BoPoolen.
If you have been accepted for studies within the Nordic countries or in Europe, you can apply for the Nordplus Scholarship or the Erasmus+ mobility grant.
Also make sure to watch the film 'The Erasmus mobility grant within Europe' further down on this webpage.
If you have been accepted for exchange studies outside of Europe you may apply for the Crafoord Foundation travel grant.
Links to more information about financial matters and scholarships
Important documents to bring:
- Letter of Acceptance
- Up-to-date Ladok transcript
- Learning agreement for Erasmus students
- Insurance documentation
- Financial documentation (study allowance, grants, bank statement)
- Valid passport (valid during your exchange period and at least an additional six months after)
- Leave a copy of your passport at home
- Visa
- Vaccination history
- Medical prescriptions. If you take medication, don’t forget to ask your doctor to issue prescriptions that you can bring with you. If you carry medicine in your luggage, we recommended that you have a signed document from a doctor certifying that the medicine is for your personal use (for customs). You must also make sure that the medicine is legal in the country you are visiting.
Stay informed about the safety situation and travel recommendations
The pandemic affects our entire world. Countries have been affected to varying degrees. Authorities and universities have acted differently and recommendations and restrictions are continuously updated.
You can get an overview by having a look at the following:
- Travel recommendations by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs – Government website (in Swedish)
- What does dissuasion mean? – Government website (in Swedish)
- Travel advice by the WHO – WHO website
- The host country's entry rules – via the Sweden Abroad website
Also keep an eye on the host university's/host organisation's web information.
Your insurance during the exchange
During the exchange, you are covered by an insurance that, for example, provides protection if you are in need of medical care, have to buy medication, get robbed, or a number of other situations. Read up on the insurance cover and how to make a claim on Kammarkollegiet's website. Please note that new terms and conditions will be put into force from 1 July 2021.
Watch on YouTube: Your insurance during your exchange studies
You can find additional information about the Student OUT insurance and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by using the links below.
- Learn more about the Student OUT insurance at the Kammarkollegiet website
- New terms and conditions for Student OUT valid from July 2021 at the Kammarkollegiet website
- Learn more about the EHIC at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) website
Studies online
Student OUT covers the student if the insured is in Sweden and conducts studies online from a university abroad. The insurance covers personal injury protection for accidents during the distance studies if the accident is in direct connection with the studies to be performed.
Exchange studies outside Europe
All students going to countries outside the EU will get an insurance document (Medical Insurance Card or certificate printed by yourself from the application database SoleMove). Note that some countries or universities do not accept Student UT. In North America it is often compulsory to pay for the University’s own insurance.
Exchange studies within Europe
As an EU/EEA citizen going to EU/EEA countries you are also covered by Student UT. Print a certificate yourself from the application database SoleMove. However, most importantly, bring a European Health Insurance Card which gives you health care for the same price in public hospitals and health care facilities as for the citizens of the country. If you are a Swedish citizen and are registered at the Tax Office in Sweden, please order your card via the link below.
If you are not a Swedish citizen, you need to talk to the state insurance company in your (EU) country of origin.
Find the relevant insurance company for your country – via the European Commission website
Student OUT does not apply in the following circumstances:
- When the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to a country or a region, Student OUT does not apply (new regulation valid from 1 July 2021). The advice against travel ('reseavrådan') from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs must have existed on the day of departure for the new regulation to apply. If you have started your studies before the advice was announced, the insurance is valid for a transitional period (maximum 30 days), so that you have time to leave the country and travel back to Sweden.
- In case of violation of the law. The insurance does not cover legal protection if the you violate the laws of the host country. What may appear to be a minor offence in Sweden may be punishable in another country.
- The insurance does not apply for travel outside the country of study during the study period, nor does it apply for private travel in connection with the study period, apart from the those two weeks before and after the study period. The insurance applies for study trips to another country with a supervisor, provided that Kammarkollegiet has been informed before the trip.
- See the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for advice against travel per country (In Swedish)
- See the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for a definition of advice against travel (In Swedish)
The Erasmus mobility grant within Europe
If you are going on exchange within Europe, you need to apply for the Erasmus mobility grant. You will need to provide documentation before, during and after your exchange to be eligible for this grant.
Adapting to a new environment
Getting started with your studies in another country is of course exciting but can be challenging at the same time. The Student Health Centre gives advice that may help you with this transition.
- Watch on YouTube: Adapting to a new environment
- Learn more about the Student Health counselling service at LU
Being a student ambassador abroad
In order for our future students to be able to study abroad, we are dependent on students wanting to come Lund. Our student ambassadors are invaluable in that respect.
Representing LU during your exchange can both be fun and rewarding for you.
- Watch on YouTube: Representing LU during your exchange
- Learn more about being a student ambassador abroad
Studies or internship abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic
Event for outbound exchange students (21 May 2021)
Did you miss the event for outbound exchange students on 21 May 2021? Watch the event recording below!
Four students from Lund University share short presentations about their experiences from exchange studies in Europe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Find the students' stories in the video:
André – Milan, Italy: 07:55
Tobias – Heidelberg, Germany: 13:50
Ellen – Newcastle, UK: 19:30
Sara – Bologna, Italy: 25:30
You can find the Q&A report from the event below. The event was hosted by External Relations, sharing tips and advice for exchange students before their departure.
- Watch on YouTube: Studies abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Questions and Answers from the 21 May event (PDF at lu.se, new tab)
Internship in Spain during the Covid-19 pandemic
Listen to Paula, a student doing a Master's Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science (LUMES) at Lund University, sharing experiences from her Erasmus+ internship in Spain during the Covid-19 pandemic, spring semester 2021. Pay attention to her reflections, tips and advice for students studying abroad.
Other students' experiences
Going on an exchange is quite a process. Is it really all that it's cracked up to be?
Contact information
Instagram takeover while abroad
Watch on YouTube: Instagram takeover while abroad
Would you like to do an official Instagram takeover while you are abroad and contribute to inspiring content in our Instagram channel @lund_university_abroad?
Interested? Send us a DM on Instagram or contact us via email: lunduniversityabroad [at] er [dot] lu [dot] se.
Checklist for outgoing exchange students
Important documents to bring:
- Letter of Acceptance
- Up-to-date Ladok transcript
- Learning agreement for Erasmus students
- Insurance documentation
- Financial documentation (study allowance, grants, bank statement)
- Valid passport (valid during your exchange period and at least an additional six months after)
- Leave a copy of your passport at home
- Visa
- Vaccination history
- Medical prescriptions. If you take medication, don’t forget to ask your doctor to issue prescriptions that you can bring with you. If you carry medicine in your luggage, we recommended that you have a signed document from a doctor certifying that the medicine is for your personal use (for customs). You must also make sure that the medicine is legal in the country you are visiting.
