When to apply
You can apply for exchange studies in Europe through the university-wide exchange places between 15 October and 15 November for the upcoming academic year.
Application round of spare places
The exchange places that remain after the first application round (spare places) may be available to apply for again, if the host university's deadlines allow this. This applies to studies during the spring semester of the next academic year. Applications for remaining places for the upcoming Spring semester normally opens in August and closes early September. If you have already been offered a place in the first application round, you cannot apply for these places.
Eligibility and language requirements
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to go on exchange studies within Europe through the university-wide agreements, you must:
- be a registered student at Umeå University;
- have completed at least one year of full-time studies at a higher education institution, before your departure;
- pursue studies aimed at a recognised degree or other post-secondary qualification;
- live at the study destination during the exchange period;
- study abroad for a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 12 months (you must be present for studies in the host country for at least 90 days to receive a scholarship); and
- have documented language skills in the language of instruction (Scandinavian languages excluded). Read more below.
Language requirements
There are no language requirements in order to apply for an exchange place through the university-wide agreements within Europe (including Nordlys).
Your chosen partner university, however, may have their own language requirements. Some universities require English tests in order to be admitted. This information is found on Solemove.
If you intend to study in a language other than English, please see the university’s page on Solemove.
How to apply for a university-wide exchange place within Europe, including Nordlys
Step 1: Choose which universities you want to apply to
To see which exchange places you can apply to through the university-wide agreements:
- Go to Solemove (opens in a new browser window).
- Then press the arrow next to "Advanced search"
- Choose "Destination search" in the left hand menu.
- Under “Application Period”, select "University wide exchange agreements within Europe and Nordlys Academic Year 2027/2028 15.10.2026-15.11.2026"
- Click on "search" to see available universities.
If you click on a university in Solemove, you can read more about that particular university. There are also usually links to courses you can take as an exchange student, etc.
Note! Think carefully about the order of the universities you want to apply to. If you are offered a place at the university you ranked as your first choice, for example, you cannot be offered a place at a university you ranked lower.
Step 2: Select courses
You are expected to study abroad full-time (equivalent to 30 credits). Choose four courses per university to which you intend to apply. You must do this to demonstrate that there are courses for you to study at each chosen university.
Step 3: Present your course choice to your study or programme study counsellor
Before you fill in the courses in the study plan (see step 4), you must present the courses you intend to study to your study counsellor. They must then confirm that the course choices can be credited to your studies after the exchange.
Step 4: Mandatory enclosures
You must send an intended study plan, use the template below. Enter four courses per university that you are applying to. Please note that the course selections are preliminary. If you are offered an exchange place, you will possibly make new course choices in a later application to the partner university.
Use this template to complete your study plan
Step 5: Make an online application
Application for exchange studies in Solemove
Do not forget to attach the study plan (see step 4).
The last received application applies
If you have submitted several applications, the most recently received one applies, unless you have notified us otherwise. Contact the International Office.
Frequently asked questions and answers about the application process
Can I apply in more than one application round?
You may apply in more than one application round, but you may only accept one nomination. If you accept a nomination and are then offered another, you will need to choose which one you wish to keep and decline the other.
Could the International Office check my application to make sure everything is correct?
Unfortunately, the International Office is unable to review applications before the application deadline. Please read the application guide carefully; it contains all the information you need about the application process and which documents to attach.
I need to add further details to my application. How do I do this?
It is not possible to add further details to an application that has already been submitted, but you can submit a new application before the application deadline. The International Office will base its decision on the most recent application received. Once the application deadline has passed, it is not possible to add further details to your application.
I want to change the order of my university choices. How do I do that?
It is not possible to amend your university choices in an application that has already been submitted. Before the application deadline, you can submit a new application instead. The International Office will use the most recently submitted application. After the application deadline, it is not possible to make any changes to your application.
After application
Your application is assessed according to the selection criteria
After the application deadline, the International Office scores all applications based on a number of criteria:
1. Completed credits* at Umeå University at the time of application (maximum 3 points)
- At least 120 completed credits: 3 points
- 60–119 completed credits: 2 points
- 15–59 completed credits: 1 point
- 0–14 completed credits: not eligible for exchange studies via the university-wide agreements.
*You do not need to state this in your application since this information will be taken from Ladok (study administrative system where all registrations and credits are stated) after the last day of application. Inserted breaks in courses are not counted in the calculation as long as there are no grades inserted for the module or course.
2. Performance at Umeå University (maximum 3 points)
Student's study performance (number of credits that the student is registered for in relation to the actual number of credits gained):
- 91–100 percent: 3 points
- 81–90 percent: 2 points
- 75–80 percent: 1 point
- 0–74 percent: not eligible for exchange studies via the university-wide agreements
You do not need to state this in your application since this information will be taken from Ladok (study administrative system where all registrations and credits are stated) after the last day of application. Interruptions in courses are not included in the calculation as long as there are no grades for the module or course.
3. Course selection for each chosen university (maximum 1 point)
- Course selection for each chosen university: 1 point
- Lack of course selection for chosen university: 0 points
You receive 1 (one) point for listing at least four course selections at each chosen university. If you choose a university without giving example of relevant courses, your application will receive 0 points.
4. Participation in the Buddy Programme (maximum 2 points)
- Group leader in the Buddy Programme: 2 points
- Participation in the Buddy Programme as a buddy: 1 point per semester, maximum of two semesters, i.e. 2 points
- Have not participated in the Buddy Programme (as a buddy or a group leader): 0 points
Here you state whether you have been a buddy or a group leader in the Buddy Programme. This information will be verified with the International Office's student coordinator (who is responsible for the Buddy Programme). Incorrect information will be duly changed. Note! If you have been a buddy or a group leader previous to this term, you need to submit a certificate along with your application to get points.
5. Submitted application is complete (maximum 1 point)
A complete application is intended as an application that is sent on time via Solemove, including all required attachments and a completely filled out study plan with provisional course choices.
- Submitted application is complete: 1 point
- Submitted application incomplete (or attachments are submitted late): 0 points
You can receive a maximum of 10 points for your application.
What happens after the application deadline?
Selection
The result of the selection is communicated to all applicants in March via an email from Solemove. If you are offered a nomination for an exchange place at a university, you have one week to accept or decline your assigned nomination.
If we do not receive an answer from you, it is considered that you have answered no. If you are not offered a nomination, you will receive an email directly from the International Office.
After the selection
When the selection is complete, a compilation is made of the students who have accepted a nomination to the partner university and a decision is made by the Head of Office at the International Office.
When the selection is finished and any cancellations are received, a reserve processing takes place. This means that when a student chooses to withdraw their assigned nomination, the International Office calls in a reserve as long as the nomination or application deadline at the partner university has not passed. Students who already have an assigned nomination cannot be on the reserve list, but students who have declined their nomination are added to the reserve list. The reserve process takes place continuously and is based on the same principles as the regular selection. Offer of nomination comes via Solemove in connection with an email from the International Office.
I have accepted an exchange place, what happens next?
All students who have been offered a nomination for an exchange place and who have accepted it will receive an invitation to a nomination meeting. At the meeting, you will get more information about the next step in the process as well as other important information before your upcoming exchange studies.
Can I apply in more than one application round?
You may apply in multiple application rounds but you may only accept one nomination at a time. If you have already accepted a nomination in one application round and you are offered another nomination, you must decide which one you wish to accept, and reject the other one.