New students – cloned
Welcome to Lund University (LU for short)! We're delighted to welcome students from all over the world to Lund. We know there's a lot to organise when you arrive, so we've put together some top tasks and important information to help you settle in.
Practical information for everyday life in Sweden
To help you focus on your studies, consider these practical issues before you start.
If you have been admitted for studies that will last longer than 12 months, you should apply for a Swedish personal identity number ('personnummer') with the Swedish Tax Agency ('Skatteverket'). Be sure to check which documents you need to take with you in order to apply for the personal identity number.
Give the university your personal identity number
Once you have received a personal identity number from the Swedish Tax Agency, please send an email stating your temporary as well as your new personal identification number to ladok [at] stu [dot] lu [dot] se (ladok[at]stu[dot]lu[dot]se).
Ladok is the system for the documentation of results for university students in Sweden. You can use it to view your academic results and generate and print out transcripts of records. In order to be able to issue correct transcripts and diplomas, the University needs to have correct information.
If you are a non-EU student and if you do not yet have a Swedish residence permit card (UT card), you need to get photographed and fingerprinted at the Swedish Migration Agency office (National Service Centre) in Malmö (i.e. you did not require a visa in order to travel to Sweden and are therefore able to instead provide your biometrical data once you are in Sweden).
A refill phone card is provided on Arrival Day.
Get a bike and a good bike lock
The fastest way to get around Lund is by bike. Getting a second-hand bike is ideal. You can buy one:
- at a local shop
- at the 'bike auctions' that are arranged by the city of Lund of few times every year
- in Facebook's Marketplace or Sell/Buy groups, or
- in Swedish online classifieds such as blocket.se.
You don't need a fancy bike, but you should invest in a good bike lock.
Make sure the bike is safe to ride and familiarise yourself with the rules of the road. Be aware that the law requires you to have a working:
- white light on the front of your bike
- red light at the rear of your bike, and
- reflectors, brakes and a bell.
Access the local public transport
The easiest way to buy tickets is through the Skånetrafiken app, where you will also find current train and bus schedules. With the app, you can get separate tickets for occasional travels (single or 24-hour) or buy a monthly ticket.
Student discount on public transport
Note that a valid student discount card is required to travel with a student discount.
Cash is not accepted
Also keep in mind that cash is not accepted on buses or trains. You always need to have a valid and activated ticket before you board a train. On the green city buses, you can scan your debit/credit card to buy a ticket (if your card allows for contactless payment).
Visit the Skånetrafiken customer counters at the train or bus station for help and more information.
Visit the Skånetrafiken website for information about tickets, cards and services (in Swedish)
Student insurance cover
As a student at Lund University, you will generally have Student IN or FAS+ insurance, along with personal injury insurance during school hours. These combined insurance policies provide cover in many situations. However, you should carefully read the information on the following page and consider whether you have sufficient cover.
About Student IN, FAS+ and personal injury insurance
If not, you may want to take out additional insurance:
- in your home country, if you don't have a Swedish personal identity number, or
- in Sweden, if you do have a Swedish personal identity number.
Additional home and accident insurance in Sweden
If you already have a Swedish personal identity number, or are going to get one, you may also want to take out additional Swedish home and accident insurance as soon as you get it.
The name 'home insurance' is a little misleading, as this broad insurance not only covers your home, but also your belongings, liability, legal assistance and travel for up to 45 days.
Accident insurance is sometimes included in home insurance packages, but you should check with your chosen insurance company to be sure.
When additional insurance is relevant
Additional insurance may be relevant to you if your travel or activities are not covered by your student insurance. See the link below for examples of what isn't covered. Read the information on this page carefully to decide whether you need additional insurance in addition to your student insurance and personal accident insurance during school hours.
About Student IN, FAS+ and personal injury insurance
Private home and accident insurance can help protect you from unexpected events and give you peace of mind during your stay.
Several insurance companies in Sweden offer student home insurance, which is cheaper than standard home insurance packages.
The link below is to a list of the main insurance companies in Sweden. If you're unsure, ask your programme or course coordinator for advice.
Compare home insurances – The Swedish Consumers' Insurance Bureau website (in Swedish)
Note that insurance claims may have a deductible (part of the cost that you have to pay yourself).
Students that have a Swedish personal identity number can set up a bank account in Sweden.
If you do not have access to online banking, Forex Bank may be able to help you make bill payments. Another option is using Kassagirot's services at a local convenience store.
Learn more:
If you would like to learn Swedish, there are several ways to go about it, both at the University and outside of it. Swedes are generally very good at English and are in fact among the best in the world at English as a second language. However, you may want to learn some (basic) Swedish to really immerse yourself into the Swedish culture and experience.
To find accurate and reliable Swedish news in English, you can for example listen to 'Radio Sweden' or read articles published by the online newspaper 'The Local'.
As a new student, it is helpful to know what is expected in Swedish society in terms of sorting your own waste and other ideas to help support a more sustainable lifestyle.
By separating and recycling your waste, buying things secondhand and biking or using the public transportation system, among others, you can contribute to a more sustainable society.
If you would like to work part-time during your studies, you should note that many students are competing for the available positions. If you do not know any (or much) Swedish, it will be even more difficult to find jobs, including service jobs.
If your main motivation for wanting to find a part-time job is to acquire relevant skills for your future career, volunteering for a student organisation or NGO may be interesting options for you to explore.