Practical guide for Exchange students
As an incoming exchange student you need to prepare for your studies in Sweden and at our University. On these pages you will find information about travel, insurance, residence permit, climate, and more.
Migration information
Information about entry into Sweden and required permits during your stay.
Passport
Non-EU/EEA citizens will need a valid passport when visiting Sweden. Citizens of the EU/EEA states need a valid passport or a National ID card. Make sure that your passport is valid for the whole period you will be staying in Sweden.
Study permit
For EU/EEA citizens:
If you work, study or have sufficient means to support yourself, you automatically have right of residence in Sweden and therefore need not register with or apply for a residence permit at the Swedish Migration Agency.
For non-EU/EEA citizens (incl. UK citizens):
You must have a visa before entering Sweden. You will have to apply two to three months before departure at the nearest Swedish embassy or consulate. Do not leave for Sweden without a student visa!
You should also make two copies each of your "Meddelande om beslut" from the Swedish Migration Board, and your Swedish visa. Leave one copy at your permanent address when you go abroad. Carry the other copy in a place other than where you usually carry your passport. Should your passport be lost or stolen, you will then be able to provide the authorities with the necessary information.
Nordic citizens do not require visa or residence permit.
Insurance and health care
Information about health care and travel insurances that you may need to arrange before your departure.
It is important that you obtain sufficient health (dental care included) and travel insurance in your home country. You will not be able to do this in Sweden.
EU citizens and citizens from countries with a mutual health agreement:
EU/EEA citizens and citizens from certain countries, which have a mutual health insurance agreement with Sweden, do have the right to the same medical benefits, even though they are non residents in Sweden. If you come from an EU/EEA country you are entitled to use the public medical services on the same basis as Swedish citizens for medical care that is of immediate necessity. In order to be eligible you must be registered at a social insurance office in your home country and have the European heath insurance card (EU-card).
Non-EU citizens:
If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, it is absolutely vital that you take out private health insurance before you come to Sweden. Swedish insurance offices are not able to give foreign citizens any kind of private health insurance.
All exchange students (ERASMUS, bilateral agreements, etc) at Lulea University of Technology are automatically insured via a group insurance - The Swedish State’s insurance for foreign students in Sweden (STUDENT IN). The insurance is free of charge for the student and applies twenty-four hours a day in Sweden. The insurance applies without deductibles. Please read the conditions and what it covers carefully. If you have further questions you can contact Maria Vyatkina.
If you prefer to buy an insurance of your own, that is of course still an option.
- Contact Maria Vyatkina
- Kammarkollegiet - Insurance
External link.
Insurance for Foreign Students in Sweden
Medical check-up
As you will be staying in Sweden for some months we recommend having a medical check-up before you leave. If you use any medication, make sure that the prescriptions you will need during your stay are valid long enough so you can rely on medication that you are familiar with.
Vaccinations
When entering Sweden, there are generally no vaccination requirements. Temporary regulations may sometimes apply to travellers from specific countries.
Travel information
Travelling to and arriving at the university
By plane
You can fly directly to Luleå (LLA) via Stockholm (ARN) in Sweden. You can also fly to Stockholm and take the train from there to Luleå. There are several flights each day to Luleå from Stockholm and it takes about one hour.
Within Sweden you can purchase a standby ticket to fly to Luleå for approximately SEK 400 if you have not yet reached the age of 26. Please note that standby tickets cannot be booked in advance but you can board the flight as soon as there is an available seat.
If you are under 26 years old, you can book a ticket in advance at a reduced price, approximately SEK 400 (youth ticket). The code to use when you book a ticket to Luleå is LLA.
In case you arrive by air from Stockholm other than on the expected arrival days, the local bus takes you all the way to the university. A ticket costs around 36 SEK. The bus does not accept cash - but it is possible to pay with a VISA or Master Card. A taxi costs around SEK 350 from the airport to campus.
- Scandinavian Airlines
External link.
Flight timetables - Norwegian
External link.
Flight timetables
By train
If you prefer to come by train from Stockholm, the overnight train from Stockholm to Luleå is an alternative. There are buses linking the airports with the train stations in each of these cities. The train journey from Stockholm to Luleå takes approximately 15 hours.
If you arrive in Luleå by train (other than on the pick-up days) you can proceed from the train station to Luleå University of Technology by taxi or bus no. 5 (direction Porsön), 4 (direction Aurorum), 14 (direction Aurorum) or 8 (direction Rutvik).
- SJ
External link.
Train timetables - LLT
External link.
Local bus timetables
By car
If you come by car from the south, you will reach Luleå by following the main road E4 from Helsingborg (direction Stockholm) and then further north towards Haparanda.
Pick-up Service during Arrival Week
During the official Arrival Week, ESN Luleå will provide a pick-up service upon arrival in Luleå. A student from ESN will meet you at the airport or the train station provided that you have informed your time of arrival well in advance. This is done by filling out the Arrival Form, which you will receive in good time before your arrival.
Please try to arrive during daytime (8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m) if you can come, but ESN Luleå will of course pick you up even if you arrive later in the day during the Arrival Week.
After the Arrival Week, please try to arrive by 3pm, especially if you need to pick up your accommodation keys from Service Point.
Orientation Week/Week-end
On arrival you will receive an information package with information on practical matters, maps, bus schedules etc. Orientation Week starts right after the Arrival Week and is very important in preparing for life in Sweden in general and for being a student in particular. During the Autumn Semester, orientation is a one week event and in the Spring Semester it is over a weekend.
Climate
What's the weather like in the north of Sweden?
Winters in Luleå are rather cold, with lots of snow. Summers are usually relatively warm. In autumn and spring there is occasional rain. Average temperature in Luleå in winter is about -15°C and in summer +18°C. The short but spectacular spring and autumn help to counterbalance the effect of the winter. During the summer it never gets dark, and the sun does not set at all for some time. During the darkest weeks of winter there are four hours of full daylight.
There are good opportunities for winter sports such as skating, hockey or cross-country skiing.
Clothing
Since the weather is very cold you should bring supplies of warm clothing such as coats, sweaters, warm socks, long underwear etc. You will also need at least one pair of comfortable and warm boots or walking shoes as well as casual shoes.
You will find that Swedish students dress more formally for student occasions and events. If you would like to attend these events you should bring something more formal to wear, like a suit or a dress.
Social Activities and Buddy Programme
ESN Luleå is a student organisation responsible for taking care of all exchange students coming to Luleå University of Technology (LTU).
ESN Luleå arrange social activities and trips throughout the year for the exchange students coming to Luleå.
ESN Luleå consists of around 15 members, mainly full-time students who are working voluntarily to make all exchange students feel as welcome as possible.
ESN Luleå picks up new exchange students at the airport, train station etc., arrange an orientation period, social activities, trips and more throughout the year. ESN Luleå also hands out information like maps, bus timetables and how to get around at the university and downtown Luleå.
ESN Luleå works closely with the International Office and the Student Unions.
Please visit their website for more information.
Money
Do not rely on one single means of payment! Travellers’ cheques are a good and safe way to carry your money when you travel as well as a Visa Card or a Master Card.
In Sweden, you can use the cards directly for payments, as well as for withdrawals from your bank account. Money can be sent to you by bank cheques or deposited in your Visa account. Do not bring personal cheques, as they will not be cashed in Swedish banks.
When arriving in Lulea be sure to have some Swedish cash to cover daily expenses. You will find several cash points/ATMs in the city centre as well as on campus.
In Swedish society it is becoming less common to use cash. A lot of shops and stores no longer accept cash as a form of payment. A Visa Card or Master Card is recommended.
Living expenses
How much should you plan for?
The following sample budget can give you an idea of the approximate cost of living in Sweden.
Food | 3000 SEK/month |
Accommodation | 3500 SEK/month |
Course literature | 800 SEK/month |
Telephone, newspapers etc | 400 SEK/month |
Local travel | 300 SEK/month |
Medical and personal care | 200 SEK/month |
Clothes, hobbies and amusement | 800 SEK/month |
TOTAL | approx. 9000 SEK/month |
Communication by email and telephone
All students will get a student e-mail account. This is the most used mode of communication between students and teachers.
Mobile or Cellular Phones
If you have a cellular phone (GSM with a small SIM-card) you can easily buy a refill card in Sweden. The cards vary between SEK 250-750.
Computer
You might want to bring your own computer as many rooms have a direct Internet connection. You will need a network adapter/card of Ethernet standard 10 MB or 100 MB and a TP-cable of Category 5.
If you do not have a computer or prefer not to bring it you can use the computer facilities on campus.
Sending packages in advance
You may wish to send personal belongings before departure. Items should be addressed (in this exact order):
Luleå University of Technology
your name
Attn: International Office
Laboratorievägen 14
SE-971 87 Luleå
Sweden
Please do not forget to clearly write your name on the package as well!
Only small packages should be mailed by airmail to any university address (max. 6kgs).
Start preparing now for International Week
You are expected to represent your home university at different events such as activities arranged for the Swedish students who want to study abroad.
Information material
It is advisable to bring photos, brochures and other things to show from your home university and country.
If you have a university T-shirt or jacket to wear for this event, please wear it that day. You are also welcome to mail advertising packages from your university to Luleå University of Technology ahead of time.
Luleå University of Technology
Attn: International Office
Laboratorievägen 14
SE-971 87 LULEÅ
SWEDEN
Please also label packages with your name.
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