Note: Exchange students accepted by other academic departments or by the International Office at Stockholm University who would like to take one or more courses in the Department of Human Geography will find information at the bottom of this section.

If you are interested in studying at the Department of Human Geography at Stockholm University as an exchange student, please contact the international coordinator or the international office at your home university to apply. 

If you are selected for exchange studies by your home university you will automatically, due to a standing agreement, be accepted by the Department of Human Geography at Stockholm University. Nominations of exchange students from the sending institution should arrive to the Department of Human Geography exchange coordinator no later than March 15 for the Autumn Semester, and September 15 for the Spring Semester.

Once you have been selected for exchange studies and the international coordinator or the international office at your home university (Note: You cannot do this on your own!) has nominated you and send your contact details, you will by e-mail receive a “Letter of Acceptance” and an application form for courses from the Department of Human Geography.

Application form (courses)

The form must be filled in electronically and returned by e-mail to the Department of Human Geography not later than April 15 (for the Autumn Semester) or October 1 (for the Spring Semester). A digital or scanned copy of an official transcript of records from your home university should be sent together with the course application form. It is usually possible to apply for courses later – nevertheless it is more likely to be accepted to a specific course if the form is returned at these dates.

In late June (for the Autumn Semester) or middle of December (for the Spring Semester) you will get an e-letter regarding the selected course(s). Please note that students cannot be guaranteed places on the courses of their choice. Most courses are restrictive and competitive and all courses have specific required pre-knowledge. Provided students can present official transcripts of records showing the necessary course specific pre requirements – including a first (bachelor) degree for students interested in studying second cycle (master) courses – exchange students will normally be accepted to most courses of their choice in the Department of Human Geography.

If you are accepted for exchange studies by the Department of Human Geography, at least 50% of the number of higher education credits during the exchange at Stockholm University must be courses at the Department of Human Geography.

If you would like to include a course from another department in the exchange you must contact that department directly to make a course application. Go to the relevant department web site for information on how to proceed. If you have been accepted as an exchange student by the Department of Human Geography please point out this when you are in contact with another Stockholm University department concerning a course application. Some departments would like to get a confirmation on your course selection from the coordinating department; if so please contact the coordinator.

Application for Swedish language courses

You will also get information about the the application for Swedish language courses (beginners’ level to advanced level) offered exclusively for exchange students. This form should be filled in online at the Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism (web address indicated in an e-letter from Stockholm).

Information for students accepted by other academic departments or by the International Office at Stockholm University

Exchange students accepted by other academic departments or by the International Office at Stockholm University who would like to take one or more courses in the Department of Human Geography should as early as possible after acceptance at Stockholm University apply for courses at Department of Human Geography through the admitting academic department or the International Office.

Here you will find general information course codes, cycles, credits, academic calendar, courses, welcome activities and excursions, and links to additional details.

Course codes

KG0000 is the course code.

Cycles and credits

FC (first cycle, under-graduate or bachelor) and SC (second cycle, graduate or master) indicate the level. 

The credits at Stockholm University are Swedish higher education credits (HECs or credits). 1 HEC is equal to 1 ECTS credit.

Most of the courses are given as full time courses – a 7.5 credit course is given during about 5 weeks and a 15 credit course is given during about 10 weeks. The exceptions are Swedish Geography, 7.5 HECs – generally recommended for all exchange students at Stockholm University – and GIS and Spatial Analysis I, 7.5 HECs – two 50% tempo course possible to study parallelly and one is usually possible to study during the same semester period as another (full-time) course – and Essay on Swedish Geography, 7.5 HECs – also a 50% tempo course.

For further details see "Cycles, credits and grades" below.

Courses

Academic calendar

The Stockholm University Academic Year always starts a Monday in the period August 28 – September 3 and contains two terms: the Autumn Semester and the Spring Semester. One semester runs for 20 weeks. Each semester is divided in four periods: A, B, C and D.

Term dates

Courses

Application, acceptance and choice of courses.

Courses taught in English in the Department of Human Geography

During the Autumn Semester first cycle students are recommended to study the following three courses: KG1208 Swedish Geography, 7.5 HECs (period A–B), KG1209 Essay on Swedish Geography, 7.5 HECs (period C–D), and KG1304 GIS and Spatial Analysis I, 7.5 HECs (period A–B). Note: (1) Students have to pass KG1208 to start KG1209. (2) KG1209 is a flexible module, i.e. much of the tuition is individual and the study tempo can be 50% during period C–D, about 80% period C and 20% period D, or about 20% period C and 80% period D.

During the Spring Semester first cycle students are recommended to study the following four courses: KG2307 Place, Identity and Migration, 7.5 HECs (period A) or KG2311 Gender and Geography, 7.5 HECs (period A), KG2312 Urban governance, 7.5 hp (period A), KG2310 Challenges for Planning in the Global South, 7.5 HECs (period B), KG2313 GIS and Spatial Analysis II, 7.5 HECs (period C), and KG2314 GIS and Spatial Analysis III, 7.5 HECs (period D). Note: Students have to pass KG2313 to start KG2314. 

FC students may find additional suitable courses in other Stockholm University depts.

In the Department of Human Geography all second cycle courses are in English.

Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning courses taught in Swedish

There are a number of additional under-graduate courses in Human Geography and in Urban and Regional Planning for students with a good knowledge of Swedish.

First cycle courses in Swedish

Courses in other departments incl. Geography courses taught in Swedish and Swedish language courses 

A student who participates in student exchange through an agreement (e.g. Erasmus) with the Department of Human Geography must study courses of at least 15 HECs at the Department each semester.

Several departments accept exchange students coming through other departments, e.g. if you come to Stockholm University as an exchange student in the Department of Human Geography you are usually welcome to also study courses in other academic departments (and the other way around). If you are interested in study at another department please visit the web site or contact the international coordinator at that department in advance to get information on how to apply for courses in that department.

For exchange students with a good knowledge of Swedish it is possible to apply to under-graduate courses in Geography (given jointly by the two geographical departments). These FC courses in geography are administrated by the Department of Physical Geography.

At many departments courses are given in English, especially in the second cycle.

The University offer Swedish language courses at various levels specifically for students from abroad. It is an advantage to have some basic knowledge of the Swedish language before coming to Stockholm – this is however not necessary.

Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism (Swedish for international students)
Departments at Stockholm University
Courses at Stockholm University

Welcome activities and excursions

All exchange students are recommended to take part in the Stockholm University orientation programme for exchange students (in August and January).

Exchange students are welcome (as far as the number of seats in the coach admit) to participate in (one or more) one-day under-graduate excursions in the Stockholm area in Swedish. Please contact the international coordinator for more information.

Welcome activities

Starting with the Academic Year 2007/2008 Swedish higher education institutions switched to a new degree structure that conforms to the Bologna Process, the Europe-wide standardization drive for higher education. The transform included the introduction of new levels and a new credit system. At the same time Stockholm University launched new grades.

Cycles

The degree structure is organized in three levels of higher education – the First Cycle (under-graduate or bachelor, 3 years, 180 HECs), the Second Cycle (graduate or master, 2 years, 120 HECs), and the Third Cycle (doctor, 4 years, 240 HECs); each with minimum requirements for entry.

Please note the special compulsory pre-requirements for each course. The Department will make individual assessments and minor exceptions can occasionally be made for exchange students; the minimum requirement for admission to a second cycle (master) course is a first (bachelor) degree.

To be accepted to courses in the Second Cycle (SC) you usually have to have a degree from the First Cycle (FC); a bachelor degree or equivalent. SC students are welcome to study FC and SC courses. Only doctorial students can be accepted to courses in the Third Cycle (TC). Sometimes SC and TC courses are synchronized. In addition there are specific entry requirements for most courses.

The objectives of each course are specified describing the student’s expected learning outcomes at the conclusion of the course.

Credits

The credit system, “högskolepoäng” (higher education credits, in short HECs or credits), is compatible with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit system. Under the Swedish system, one academic year of full-time studies is equivalent to 60 higher education credits. 60 HECs equals 60 ECTS credits.

The Academic Year contains two terms: the Autumn Semester and the Spring Semester. One semester runs for 20 weeks. Each semester is divided in four periods: A, B, C and D.

Nearly all courses run full-time (100% study tempo) during one semester or part of one semester. At a full-time course students are expected to study about 40 or somewhat more than 40 hours a week (including scheduled and individual studies). The number of hours of compulsory scheduled education in taught courses varies and the total quantity of study hours a week obviously differs a lot depending on the students individual study background, techniques and aim. A 50% study tempo course indicate that the rate of study is half compared to a 100% course; i.e. a 7.5 HECs course can run full-time (100%) during one semester period (25% of one semester, 22–23 workdays, approximately 5 weeks) or at 50% study tempo during two semester periods (half a semester). Most students study one full-time course during one period of time. Studying two full-time courses during the same period of time is not recommended; still sometimes it is doable to study one 100% course and one 50% course.

Grades

Grades at Stockholm University:
A Excellent.
B Very good.
C Good.
D Satisfactory.
E Sufficient.
FX Fail.
F Fail.

A, B, C, D and E are pass grades. In addition to the seven grade system (A–F) there is a two grade system; G Pass and U Fail. G–U is used for minor course elements like participation in a compulsory excursion or a laboratory experiment but also for placement (work experience) courses.

The grades (A–F and G–U) are goal-related (criterion referenced grading); not group-referenced (norm referenced grading).

Grades are given for tests and for courses. A course grade is based on one or more tests (one or more exams) within a course. A course module can include one or more tests. For each test grade there is a written criteria, distributed at the start of the course or module. Students who have passed (got A–E or G) can not be examined again to get a better grade. The final grade on each course is an outcome of the individual results of the tests. In order to receive an aggregated grade it is necessary to have obtained pass grades (A–E or G) for all tests included in the course.

Sweden’s higher education system

Enrolment

Enrolment at Stockholm University is compulsory for all accepted exchange students. Enrolment for exchange students takes place during the orientation days. Bring your letter of acceptance and a valid ID-card or passport to the enrolment.

Welcome activities inclunding Orientation day

Registration

During the week before the start of the semester you should visit the Students Office, in room X326, at the Department of Human Geography in the Geo-Science Building to register for courses in the Department that you have been accepted to for the coming semester.

Find us

Student Union

The Stockholm University Student Union fee is not compulsory. However, there are some benefits linked to the membership. Find out more at the Student Union web site.

Stockholm University Student Union

Stockholm University offers accommodation to most exchange students but the University cannot guarantee accommodation for every exchange student. On the whole there is a shortage of student housing in Stockholm and it is not easy to find good and reasonably priced accommodation near by the campus.

Applying for student housing

When returning the course application form please indicate in the e-letter to the Department whether or not you are interested in student housing. Regrettably it is hard to find accommodation in Stockholm and there is no accommodation guarantee. The University Housing Office cannot provide accommodation for all exchange students. Exchange students who have not received a accommodation offer must find housing on their own. The Housing Office will inform students via e-mail on the on-line housing application about a week after the registration form deadline (May 15 or October 15). Available student housing will be allocated through a lottery to exchange students who apply within the deadline. If you apply, the Housing Office will let you know about two months later if you have received student housing or not.

All admitted exchange students will receive information via e-mail on how to apply for accommodation through the Housing Office.

Exchange students are strongly advised to apply for student housing, due to the difficulties in finding accommodation in Stockholm. Please note that exchange students are not guaranteed student housing, since the number of exchange students exceeds the number of student rooms available for exchange students almost every semester; especially in the Autumn Semester. Some semesters barely one of two exchange students have been offered student housing. Available student rooms will be allocated through a lottery to exchange students who apply within the deadline.

Housing for international students (Stockholm University)

Alternatives

It is possible to find housing in the Stockholm region although finding accommodation may well be tedious and hard work. Please practice good judgment and be careful when answering advertisements for housing. Check the notice boards on campus for notes on subletting of apartments and rooms. You can also check newspapers and Internet sites. There are a number of second hand letting agencies in Stockholm. Most of them charge quite steep fees for access to their registers of available flats and most of these flats have high rents and are for short term rental only.

If you need to seek private accommodation the web site of the Stockholm Federation of Student Unions (SSCO) can be a good place to start looking.

Looking for housing (SSCO)
Akademisk kvart (SSCO)

Stockholm University

Stockholm University start page
Exchange students – general information for incoming exchange students to Stockholm University
New student – general information for new students (not only exchange students) at Stockholm University; housing, welcome activities, IT, and more
Stockholm University Student Union

Stockholm

City of Stockholm
Stockholm County Council: Regional Growth, Environment and Planning
County Administrative Board of Stockholm
Stockholm – the official visitor's guide contains information about climate, museums and sights, transportation etc. by Stockholm Information Service
Stockholm Public Transport
Stockholm at Wikipedia

Sweden

Sweden.se – the official gateway to Sweden
Study in Sweden – part of sweden.se
Swedish Institute – general information about Sweden
How Sweden is governed by the Government Offices of Sweden
Swedish Higher Education Authority – general information for foreign students and information about how higher education in Sweden is organized
Recent Figures for Sweden – statistics about population, industrial production, exports/imports etcetera by Statistics Sweden
Visit Sweden by the Swedish Travel and Tourism Council
Radio Sweden News
The Local – Sweden's news in English
Sweden at Wikipedia
Sweden portal at Wikipedia

This is a overview of costs, insurance, disabilities, visa and residence permit.

Living costs

To get a general overview on living costs including housing you should visit the site below:

Cost of living (Study in Sweden)

Insurance

Make sure that you have a good insurance coverage for your stay in Sweden. Consult your insurance company to discuss if additional insurance is needed for your stay in Sweden.

All students in Sweden who are registered on a university course or programme are automatically covered by the personal injury insurance (the general student insurance) that is obtained on behalf of universities and colleges within the State insurance system by the Central Student Grants Committee. This insurance applies in Sweden during education hours and during travel to and from the location where education hours are located. For more information on terms and conditions, please visit the web site of Kammarkollegiet.

All exchange students are also covered by the Swedish State Insurance for Foreign Students in Sweden (Student IN). 

For students doing modules at the Department of Human Geography that contain field courses abroad (out of Sweden) the Department take out individual insurances for the field periods at Kammarkollegiet; the Swedish State’s Insurance during Education Abroad (Student UT).

Insurance (Stockholm University)
Kammarkollegiet, the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency
Student insurance; the Swedish Stat's Insurance for Foreign Students in Sweden (Student IN) and during Education Abroad (Student UT); terms and conditions (Kammarkollegiet)

If you are an EU citizen, you should bring your European health insurance card, which you can obtain from the social insurance office in your home country. This entitles you to public medical service on the same financial conditions as Swedish citizens.

If you are a citizen from outside the EU, you need to find out to what extent your domestic insurance is valid in Sweden and what agreements for medical care there is between your country and Sweden.

Stockholm Student Health Services
Health insurance and medical care in Sweden (Study in Sweden)

Disabilities

Students with disabilities are welcome to Stockholm University. Arrangements for the exchange will be agreed on before nomination from the home university.

Studying with a disability (Stockholm University)

Visa and residence permit

If you need a residence permit please consult the Swedish Embassy or Consulate in your country for rules on visas and residence permits or contact the Swedish Migration Agency. You should apply for a residence permit as soon as you have got the letter of acceptance from Stockholm University.

Students from the EU/EEA and the Nordic countries do not need a visa or a residence permit. However, EU citizens staying in the country for more than 3 months need to register with the Swedish Migration Agency no later than three months after entering the country. For information on how to register see the web site of the Migration Agency. Even though Sweden is part of the Schengen area it is advised that you bring a valid passport as well as an identity card for your stay in Sweden.

Visas and residence permits (Stockholm University)
Swedish Migration Agency

Nominations of exchange students from the sending institution should arrive to the Stockholm University Department of Human Geography international coordinator by e-mail to international@humangeo.su.se no later than:

• March 15 for the Autumn Semester
• September 15 for the Spring Semester

Content

Each nomination has to be sent from the department or faculty coordinator or the international office at the partner institution and must include the following details about each nominated student:

• Name
• Sex
• Date of birth
• E-mail address
• Address
• Period of study in Stockholm – usually Academic Year, Autumn Semester or Spring Semester
• Student housing – whether or not the student is interested

Letter of acceptance

The LoA will be sent to the student and cc to partner institution.

This is a overview of teaching and learning methods, language, examination, and plagiarism and regulations for disciplinary matters.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching occurs almost every day in full-time introductionary courses in the First Cycle and most of the tuition is compulsory. At higher levels the students work more independently and there are less scheduled meetings.

The teaching methods vary depending on focus and level of the course. In the First Cycle there is mainly a combination of lectures and seminars. The most used teaching form at higher levels is the seminar. Apart from lectures and seminars the students are involved in a range of exercises with the aim of learning how to use certain kinds of methods, materials and techniques. Excursions and field courses are vital and popular contributions to other learning methods. Many courses include some sort of fieldwork where students individually or in teams collect material, map, observe, make interviews and make various analyses in the field. Fieldwork typically occurs in the Stockholm region, some times in other parts of Sweden, and in a few courses field trips are organized aboard.

Courses are primarily theoretical, particularly in the Second Cycle. In most courses, especially in the Second Cycle, students are expected to demonstrate skills to interpret and analyse theories in the theme of the course, discuss and compare, and in written and oral forms scientifically discuss empirical and theoretical problems. Students are expected to critically discuss various texts, including other students’ papers.

Throughout the courses emphasis is placed on teaching students how to write scientific papers and theses.

Language

A good command of the English language is obviously necessary for exchange students who would like to successfully study courses in English. For exchange students there are no specific requirements for English knowledge; knowledge of English is assumed. The recommended language level is B2 (described in the guideline "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment").

Similarly, exchange students who wish to study courses in Swedish must have a good command of the Swedish language. For exchange students who would like to learn or improve there knowledge of Swedish the Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism offers courses.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR)

Examination

The (regular) examination is made within the course period. Many forms of examination are used.

A common method is take-home examination. This is an open book, open note examination in the form of a paper or an essay. There will usually be a number of questions.

Written “sit-down” examinations are quite common in the First Cycle courses.

Continuous assessment is used in many courses and may be based on compulsory attendance as well as participation in seminars arranged throughout the course. In several courses students also write an extended paper or report.

Examinations seldom require that students merely reproduce the material presented during lectures. Most courses require a number of examination formats and occasions within the course; one course can for instance include active participation in seminars where student papers are discussed and criticized by other students, paperwork (individually and/or in teams), take-home examination, compulsory exercises and excursions.

Regulations for education and examination at the first-cycle and second-cycle level
Regulations for written seated examination

Plagiarism and regulations for disciplinary matters

As a student you have to be conscientious about clearly accounting for the material used in the texts that are submitted for examination. To use other people’s expressions or ideas without stating where they are from is plagiarism. To translate and/or change some words in someone else’s text and present it as one’s own is obviously also a form of plagiarism. There must be no doubt about what your own expressions and ideas are and what has been gathered from other sources. Plagiarism is considered to be cheating and if discovered in an exam or paper, the exam or paper will immediately be failed and disciplinary measures may be taken. Any student who is caught cheating or disrupting academic activities can be suspended from lectures and exams for a period of up to six months. This would have grave consequences for exchange students as you might not be allowed to gain any credits during your exchange period. The President or the Disciplinary Council decides whether the student is to be subject to any disciplinary measures.

Guidelines for disciplinary matters at Stockholm University

Official Stockholm University transcripts of records including all courses studied at the University can be issued on paper by any academic department or by the International Office. In addition students can print transcripts of records using an online service.

Transcripts issued by the Department

An official transcript of records will be issued by automatic procedure if agreed with the partner institution or on request from the partner or from the exchange student. Usually the Department will send an official transcript of records to the partner institution about three to five weeks after the end of the semester. A signed hard copy can be collected by the student at the Department or send by regular mail to any address.

Transcripts issued online

An exchange student can print an official transcript of records from "Ladok" (the study documentation system) as long as the login details are kept. The accuracy of the digital or printed transcript can be checked by visiting the su.se address written in the document.

Ladok

Degrees

Degrees (BSc, MSc etc) are not a part of the student exchange. For information concering degrees at Stockholm University please contact Student Services.

Graduation and beyond