Uppsala University International

Student Guide
www.uu.se
2013/2014

T he Wor ld awa its you

Table of Contents
Welcome 3

About Uppsala University 5

A Remarkable History 6
Uppsala 8
Gotland 10

About Sweden 11
A Year of Swedish Traditions 13
Higher Education in Sweden 16

Getting Started 20
Late Arrivals 20
Uppsala Arrivals 20
Welcome Desk at Stockholm Arlanda 20
Gotland Arrivals 21
Orientation Week 22
Finding a Place to Live 22
Housing in Uppsala 24
Housing on Gotland 26
Your Finances 26
Insurance 26

Your Life as a Student 28

The Student Unions 28
International Buddy Programme 29
The Student Nations 29
Your Rights and Responsibilities 31
Student Support Services 34
Your Health and Wellbeing 37

Useful Information 40

Photo: Kalbar Destination Uppsala

Glossary 40
Contact List 48
Photo: Anna Malmberg
 3

Welcome to
Uppsala University!
For over 500 years students and scholars from all corners of the
world have passed through our doors, to learn, create, discover
and grow as individuals. Our graduates have gone on to become
leaders, innovators, educators, policy makers, academics and Nobel
Prize winners. In choosing Uppsala University, you became a part
of our global network. We are excited to welcome you!
We have an eventful year ahead of us! Most notably, Gotland
University and Uppsala University will become one. We are con-
fident that students studying at Campus Gotland will experience
Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

the lively and creative spirit that characterises our university.

Education at Uppsala University takes a scientific and scholarly
approach, fosters an informal learning environment, and encourages
dialogue between teachers and students. It is our belief that professors
who combine teaching and research can better excel in both areas.
This means that as a student at Uppsala University, you are given in-
sight into the most recent scientific and academic developments.
Try and maximise the experience of studying abroad, both pro-
fessionally and socially. The time you spend outside of the class-
room will be just as valuable as inside. Make an effort to get to
know the best thing about Sweden – the people. We hope those
you meet will inspire and encourage you, and provide you with
memories you will cherish for the rest of your life.
This guide is designed to help you prepare for life as an interna-
tional student. It contains practical information about the univer-
sity, student life, and the rules and regulations that apply to you.
While you are primarily responsible for your own learning and de-
velopment, please remember that staff at the university are always
on hand to support you, and help you to reach your full potential.
Thank you for choosing Uppsala University!

Eva Åkesson
Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University
4 UPPSALA UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN

Photo: Alex Giacomini

The University Main Building in Uppsala.

 Uppsala UNIVERSTY 5

Uppsala University
As a student at Uppsala University, you can enjoy studying at one of
the top universities in the world. Uppsala’s long and impressive his-
tory and international recognition will be an asset to you long after
you have completed your studies. We are proud to have you as a
new student, and we hope you will be proud to be a part of the Up-
psala University community.
Uppsala University was founded in 1477, and was the first uni-
versity in Sweden. Throughout its history, Uppsala University has
been the home of many famous scholars, including Carl Linnaeus,
Olof Rudbeck and Anders Celsius. In fact, eight academics affiliated
with Uppsala University have been awarded the prestigious Nobel
Prize, and every year in December the university is visited by some
of the new Nobel laureates who give open lectures to the public.
These are just some of the esteemed international guests who visit
us each year.
Many prominent students have also passed through Uppsala Uni-
versity. In 1872 the university’s first female student, Betty Pettersson,
was enrolled. Born and raised in Visby, the main town on the island of
Gotland, she made her way to the mainland to become a student in
Uppsala. Not much information can be found about Betty Pettersson,
but one thing is certain, she succeeded! In 1875 she paved the way
for future generations by becoming the first woman in Sweden to be
awarded an academic degree. Betty Pettersson was one of Uppsala
University’s first connections with Gotland’s Visby.
This summer, Gotland University will become a part of Uppsala
University. Thirteen Bachelor and Master programmes will be of-
fered at Uppsala University’s Campus Gotland, as well as roughly
100 courses. By merging with Gotland University, we can continue
to develop our world-leading education and research in this historic
island setting.
6 UPPSAL A UNIVERSITY

Carl Linnaeus

C°
student nation

The first
botanical garden

1477 1500 1550 1600 1650 1700 17

A Remarkable History
1477 – This is when it all began. Uppsala 1728 – Carl Linnaeus commenced his studies in
University was founded over 500 years medicine and botany at Uppsala University.
ago and continues to be one of the leading He later became Vice-Chancellor, and to
universities in the world. this day is considered the father of modern
taxonomy and ecology.
1640 – The first of the student nations was
established, making Uppsala the most 1730 – Anders Celsius, originator of the Celsius
vibrant and dynamic student city in Temperature Scale, became Professor of
Sweden. Astronomy.

1655 – The first botanical garden in Sweden 1872 – Gotland’s Betty Pettersson was the first
was founded by Olof Rudbeck, who went woman admitted to Uppsala University,
on to become Vice-Chancellor. Rudbeck’s and three years later she became the
contributions to human anatomy and first woman in Sweden to be awarded
linguistics made him a national icon in an academic degree. This was a defining
Sweden. His descendants include Alfred moment in the history of women’s rights
Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. in Sweden.
 7

NOBEL
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SKYPE

YOU

Gotland university
Betty Pettersson DOCTORAL
DEGREE

750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2013

1883 – Ellen Fried graduated from Uppsala 2003 – Niklas Zennström, an Uppsala University
University with a Ph.D., becoming the first alumnus, founded Skype together with
woman in Sweden to complete a doctoral Janus Friis. Today, Skype is widely used by
degree. international students, allowing them to
connect with family and friends around
1911–1981 – Eight academics affiliated with the world.
Uppsala University were awarded a Nobel
Prize. This includes former Archbishop of 2013 – Uppsala University and Gotland
Sweden Nathan Söderblom and former University joined forces, and Campus
Secretary-General of the United Nations Gotland was introduced.
Dag Hammerskjöld, who both received a
Nobel Peace Prize. 2013 – You became a student at Uppsala
University. Where will you take us next?
1998 – Gotland University was founded in Visby,
the main town on the island of Gotland. A
former whisky distillery was renovated to
become the university’s main building.
8

UPPSALA

GOTLAND

Uppsala, Sweden’s foremost student city!

Every year, thousands of new students spread throughout the city, and the student
from Sweden and around the world arrive nations play a dominant role in Uppsala
in Uppsala to begin their adventure as a student life. Here, you can enjoy Uppsala’s
university student. In Uppsala, you can get charming student traditions and at the same
involved in a wide variety of extracurricular time, find all the opportunities of a big city.
activities and be a part of a thriving student This is a place with an extensive his-
community. tory. From the 3rd century AD, Old Up-
Uppsala is the fourth largest city in Swe- psala (Gamla Uppsala) was an important
den, and just a forty minute train ride from religious, political and economic centre. In
Sweden’s capital, Stockholm. The large fact, remnants left by the Viking forefathers
number of students makes Uppsala a lively, can still be seen today. Legend has it that
exciting and progressive place. Uppsala Uni- an impressive pagan temple once stood at
versity has teaching and research grounds Gamla Uppsala and great sacrificial rites
 9

Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

Downtown Uppsala.

were performed to appease Thor, Odin, Located opposite the Uppsala Cathedral
Frey and other Nordic deities. Three of the is Gustavianum, formerly the main build-
pagan kings were buried in Gamla Uppsala ing of Uppsala University. Built in the mid-
1 500 years ago. 17th century, Gustavianum also houses
Since the 13th century, Uppsala has the second oldest anatomical theatre in
been the religious centre of Sweden. Today, the world. Today, the building primary
Uppsala is the seat of the archbishop of functions as a museum displaying objects
the Church of Sweden. The Uppsala Ca- from the university collections of Classi-
thedral (Uppsala Domkyrka) is one of the cal, Egyptian and Nordic antiquities as well
city’s most impressive landmarks. Located as exhibitions on the history of science and
centrally, it is the tallest church building in the history of Uppsala University.
Scandinavia. Uppsala is also home to a second univer-
Like the church, Uppsala University sity, the Swedish University of Agricultural
has a historical place in Swedish national Sciences (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet,
identity, and is an important symbol of con- SLU). Together, there are over 45 000 stu-
tinuity. Many aspects of Swedish academic dents living in the city, creating an active,
culture originated in Uppsala, such as the open and free-thinking environment. The
white student cap. Architecturally, the uni- two universities and the University Hospi-
versity has a strong presence throughout tal are also major sources of employment
the city, especially in the area surrounding in Uppsala.
the cathedral.
10 UPPSALA UNIVERSITY

Gotland, Sweden’s most picturesque learning environment!

Gotland is not only Sweden’s largest Uppsala University’s Campus Gotland

island, but the largest in the Baltic Sea. is located in Visby, the island’s main town.
With its pristine beaches and warm sum- Although the university plays an important
mer months, Gotland is one of Sweden’s role in the Gotland community, the key
favourite holiday destinations. Though the sources of income are tourism, agriculture
island’s population increases drastically and concrete production.
during the summer, year-round there are Visby is a medieval town that has been
approximately 60 000 inhabitants. marked as a historical site by the UNESCO
World Heritage programme. A popular
landmark is the fortress wall dating back to
the 13th century, which surrounds the old
city. On the island you can also find 94 me-
Thousands of tourists travel to Gotland dieval churches, the majority of which are
each year to watch the sun rise in the fully restored and actively used today.
east and set in the west. Traditionally, the residents of Gotland
spoke their own language, known as Gutnish.
Today however, the main language spoken is
a Swedish dialect called Gotländska.

As a student at Campus Gotland, you

can enjoy everything the unique location
has to offer. Not only is the island just
90 km from the Swedish mainland,
the Baltic States are just 130 km away.
Transport between Gotland and
Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, is frequent.
Photo: Matton
 About SWEDEN 11

About Sweden
Sweden, a land of innovation and enlightenment!

Studying in Sweden promotes creative,

independent and original thinking. As a
student, you can be a part of Sweden’s safe
and liberal society, and experience the high
quality of living.

Landscape
Sweden is the third largest country in the
European Union, and in terms of area, is
comparable to Spain, Thailand and the
state of California. Situated between the
Baltic Sea and the North Sea, the Swedish
landscape is varied, and consists of dense
forests, sandy beaches, clean lakes and
snow-capped mountains. Along the Swed-
ish coastline, thousands of picturesque is-
lands make up the archipelago. Even those
living in Sweden’s largest cities have the
archipelago at their doorstep.

Climate
Many people assume that Sweden is a cold
and wintry place; however, the country’s
climate is very diverse. While the top of
Sweden reaches the Arctic Circle, the warm
Golf Stream helps to keep the tempera-
ture mild. Depending on where you are in
Sweden, you can experience four distinct
seasons. In the summer, Northern Sweden
Photo: Kalbar Destination Uppsala

becomes the land of the midnight sun. The

warm summer days are usually spent in the
countryside or by the water. Autumn brings
12 ABOUT SWEDEN

with it an array of colours, as the days get cultural and political causes, only Sami peo-
shorter and the nights become cooler. Dur- ple are legally allowed to herd reindeer in
ing the wintertime, Sweden becomes a win- regions of the Nordic countries. The Sami’s
ter wonderland. If you’re lucky, you may native language is a member of the Uralic
even see the northern lights! The arrival of language family.
spring is always a welcome respite, and a
very pretty time of year in Sweden. Religion
In Sweden, approximately 70% of the
Society population is a registered member of the
By living in Sweden you can experience Lutheran Church of Sweden. However,
one of the world’s safest and most egalitar- compared to other European countries, re-
ian societies. Here, there is a distinct bal- ligion plays a limited role in Swedish soci-
ance between social equality and economic ety. The Muslim community makes up the
success. In fact, Sweden has one of the low- largest single group of non-Christians, with
est levels of poverty in the world. Although as many as 500 000 members. Furthermore,
the Swedes pay high taxes to maintain the approximately 160 000 Catholics are regis-
refined social system, they can enjoy an ad- tered in Sweden.
vanced welfare system, free education, low-
cost healthcare and well-maintained public Language
facilities. It is no surprise that the Swedish Swedish, a North Germanic language, is the
standard of living and life expectancy are official language of Sweden. It is spoken by
almost second to none. approximately ten million people world-
wide. Swedish is also one of the official lan-
People guages of Finland, and is spoken by roughly
In Sweden, 20% of the population has a 300 000 Finns.
foreign background, making it a very multi-
cultural place. Approximately 100 000 peo-
ple relocate to Sweden each year, including
many refugees from troubled corners of the
world. In addition to speaking Swedish, people in
The Sami people are an indigenous Sweden are generally very good at speak-
ing English. In fact, Sweden is the world’s
group inhabiting Lapland, a province in
most English-proficient country where
northernmost Sweden. Today there are
English is not the official language. This will
approximately 20 000 Sami, and many of
make it very easy for you, as an interna-
them still make their livelihood by herd- tional student, to get around.
ing reindeer. For traditional, environmental,
 About SWEDEN 13

A Year of Swedish Traditions

While Sweden is a modern and cultur- feathers, which symbolises the suffering of
ally diverse society, traditional celebra- Christ. Pickled herring is a favourite Easter
tions such as Midsummer and Lucia are dish, and is usually accompanied by eggs.
observed as enthusiastically today as in On the 30th April comes Walpurgis Eve,
previous generations. As an international or Valborg. While bonfires are lit through-
student, you will have the opportunity to out the country, the main celebration oc-
experience some of the cultural highlights curs in Uppsala. People come from far and
of the Swedish year! wide to take part in the festivities. Students
in Uppsala will often don their white caps
Spring and sing songs about the arrival of spring.
Easter is the first long weekend of spring, For many, the day begins with a raft race
and many people in Sweden go to the down the Fyris River, and continues with
countryside to celebrate. Children dress up a picnic in the park. In the afternoon, stu-
as Easter witches, with colourful heads- dents flock to the nations to drink cham-
carves and rosy cheeks, and go from house pagne and dance. If you are lucky enough
to house in the hope of receiving sweets. to celebrate Valborg in Uppsala, it is sure to
During Easter, people decorate their homes be a day you will never forget.
with birch twigs and brightly-coloured

Valborg in Uppsala.

Photo: Lars Wallin

14 ABOUT SWEDEN

Summer
In Sweden, Midsummer is celebrated on
the Friday closest to the 21st June. After
the winter, Swedish people are eager to cel-
ebrate the longest day of the year. If you are
in Sweden for midsummer, expect to see
people singing and dancing around a may-
pole with wreathes in their hair. Midsum-
mer is always spent in the countryside, and
a traditional lunch includes pickled herring
and boiled new potatoes, complemented by
sour cream, dill and red onion. No midsum-
mer lunch is complete without snaps, and

Photo: Matton
Swedish creyfish are a national
each time a glass is filled it is accompanied delicacy...and they’re delicious!
by a song. Midsummer is also a favourite
time for weddings.
During august, those with a fascination
for the Middle Ages flock to Gotland to festive outdoor parties. Swedish fermented
take part in Medieval Week. Surrounded by herring is famous for being one of the foulest-
Visby’s 200 medieval buildings, festivities smelling foods in the world. In fact, the odour
include markets, music, theatre, lectures, is so strong that it is banned from many
workshops and even a jousting tournament. apartment buildings in Sweden. When eating
If you have an interest in history, this event fermented herring, it is usually accompanied
is not to be missed. by thin bread, potatoes, red onion, dill, sour
As the Swedish summer comes to an cream, and of course snaps! While the dish is
end, the Swedes come out in force and an acquired taste, it is a very Swedish experi-
have traditional crayfish parties. Crayfish ence and one that you will always remember.
are a national delicacy and have been eaten
in Sweden since the 16th century. During Autumn
this time of year you will often see groups On the 1st November is All Saints’ Day,
of friends gathered outside, illuminated by a time of remembrance and reflection for
lanterns and eating, drinking and singing. people in Sweden. As evening falls, it is
Eating crayfish is a messy business, but it is customary for families to place candles and
all part of the experience. lanterns on the graves of loved ones, creat-
Like crayfish, fermented herring (sur- ing a hauntingly beautiful scene. With luck,
strömming), is eaten at the end of summer at the first snow of the year has even arrived.
 15
Lucia is an ancient mythical figure
who is celebrated by Sweden as the
bearer of light during the winter.

Winter
Lucia is arguably the most cherished Swed-
ish celebration, and the official start of the
Christmas season. On the 13th December,
kindergartens, schools, companies, shop-
ping centres, churches and workplaces all
over Sweden hold an annual Lucia proces-
sion. Representing Saint Lucia as the bearer
of light in the darkness, those taking part
in the procession wear long white gowns,
carry candles and have lights in their hair.
During this time, Swedish people will in-
dulge in ginger bread, saffron buns and
mulled wine.
Like other Scandinavian countries,
Christmas in Sweden is celebrated on the
24th December. For many, Christmas is not
considered a religious holiday, but a pre-
cious occasion to spend with family and
friends. Most Swedes take time off from
work and school, and activities generally
centre on eating and exchanging gifts. One
of the most unique Swedish Christmas
traditions is watching Donald Duck. Since
1960, the cartoon has appeared on Swed-
ish television at the same time, on the same
channel, and with the same narrator. If you
really want to celebrate Christmas like a
Swede, watching Donald Duck is a must.
Photo: Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se
16 ABOUT SWEDEN

Higher Education in Sweden

In Sweden, higher education is governed credits upon completion. It is possible for
by the Swedish Higher Education Author- students who complete a range of free-
ity. Uppsala University abides by the same standing courses to be awarded a diploma
rules and standards that generally oversee or degree. However, they must have the
all universities in Sweden. Swedish higher right combination of courses and required
education is divided into three distinct number of credits.
levels: first cycle (Bachelor degree), sec-
ond cycle (Master degree), and third cycle Credits
(Doctoral degree). Each cycle is based on The duration and difficulty of programmes
the former, which means that students and courses is expressed in a system of
must have completed a first cycle pro- credits. The Swedish University Credit Sys-
gramme to move onto a second cycle pro- tem awards 1.5 credits for each completed
gramme, and a second cycle programme to week of full-time study. This system is com-
move onto a third cycle programme. This patible with the European Credit Transfer
follows the same education system as the System (ECTS), meaning 1 Swedish credit
majority of European countries. = 1 ECTS credit.
An academic year consisting of 40 weeks
Programmes and Courses of full-time study amounts to 60 credits.
A Swedish higher education qualification is The majority of Bachelor programmes re-
built up of programmes and courses. quire a minimum of 180 credits, corre-
Programmes are made up of courses, sponding to at least three years of full-time
some of which are compulsory. When study. A Master degree, on the other hand,
students complete a programme they can requires 60 or 120 credits, and is equivalent
apply for a formal qualification, such as a to one or two years of full-time study.
degree. At Uppsala University, all interna-
tional Master programmes commence in Grading
the autumn semester. The most common form of grading is fail,
Courses are the smallest building blocks pass and pass with distinction. However,
in education, and can vary greatly when it the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Sci-
comes to attendance and delivery mode. ence and Technology have different grading
Some courses are only available to students systems that include fail, pass, pass with
enrolled in a specific programme, while credit/merit and pass with distinction.
others are freestanding. Students who en- Furthermore, several areas such as medi-
roll in freestanding courses are awarded cine and teacher training award only pass
 17

and fail. At the beginning of each course

students will receive information that illus-
trates the criteria for grading.

Assessment
Assessment procedures at Uppsala Univer-
sity vary greatly between programmes and
courses. They can include written assign-
ments and examinations, individual and
group projects, laboratory reports and oral
presentations.

Syllabus
Every programme and individual course
has a syllabus describing the entry require-
ments, content, learning outcomes, assess-
ment procedures, grading scale and credits
awarded. A syllabus is determined by the
faculty board in charge of the programme
or course.

Degrees and Diplomas

Students can receive a degree certificate
upon completion of their programme. De-
gree certificates are issued by the Student
Affairs and Academic Registry’s Gradua-
tion Office. The degree certificate includes
a list of completed approved courses, along
with credits awarded, grades and details
about the grading scale, and information
about any other accredited studies. Degree
certificates are issued in both Swedish and
English.
Photo: Simon Ydhag
18 ABOUT SWEDEN

If you wish to receive a degree certifi- and highly interactive. Lectures, laboratory
cate, you must submit an application form work, seminars, group work, excursions,
to the Students Services Office, along with distance learning and independent study
any necessary attachments. are just some of the teaching methods used
Along with your degree certificate, you by the university. As a student, you should
will also receive a diploma supplement. feel confident engaging in classroom activi-
This document provides a standardised ties and expressing your points of view.
description of the nature, level, context,
content and status of the studies you have Disciplinary Procedures for Plagiarism,
pursued and successfully completed. The Cheating and Obstruction
diploma supplement makes your academic Uppsala University students are expected
achievements even more transparent, and to hold a high standard of academic hon-
facilitates professional recognition of your esty at all times. The university’s Disciplin-
academic qualifications internationally. ary Committee may take punitive action
against any student attempting to cheat in
Third Cycle Studies an examination, disturb or obstruct teach-
After completing your Master degree, you ing, or subject any other student to harass-
have the option to continue your studies ment. This includes plagiarism. Disciplinary
at doctoral level. A third cycle qualifica- measures can be anything from a warning
tion is usually the result of four years of to suspension from studies.
full time work and study. All admissions Plagiarism is generally defined as using
for doctoral studies are handled by the rel- someone else’s ideas, words or production
evant department. If you are interested in and falsely presenting them as one’s own. It
pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy and wish is therefore very important that you always
to learn more about position openings and reference sources clearly when writing and
application procedures, please contact your submitting assignments. If you are unsure
department. about how to correctly reference sources,
you are always welcome to consult your
Teaching Methods teacher.
Teaching and learning at Uppsala Univer-
sity is based on the concept that students
take responsibility for their own studies
with the support of teaching staff. Unlike
many countries around the world, the aca-
demic environment in Sweden is informal
 19

Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

20 GETTING STARTED

Getting Started
All international students will receive more ing on the mode of transport, it can take
detailed information about their arrival, between 20 and 45 minutes to travel from
accommodation options and orientation Arlanda to Uppsala.
programme closer to the start of semester. Students have the option of flying into
You will also be provided with the contact three other airports; however, they are
details of someone in your department or further away. Bromma is located in close
in the international office that can help to proximity to Stockholm. Students arriving
answer any questions you may have. at Bromma Airport will need to take a bus
The official start date of the autumn into Stockholm’s Central Railway Station,
semester is 2nd September 2013; however, followed by a train to Uppsala. If you are
it is strongly recommended that you arrive coming from Bromma Airport, make sure
in time for Orientation Week. If you wish you allow between one and one and a half
to ship luggage prior to your departure, hours to get to Uppsala.
you can usually send it to your department. Skavsta Airport is located in the town of
Your contact person can provide you with Nyköping, approximately 100 km south of
more details. Please do not send anything to Stockholm. Students arriving at Skavsta must
Uppsala University’s central address with- take a bus into Stockholm’s Central Railway
out authorisation. Station, and then a train to Uppsala. If you
are coming from Skavsta, you can anticipate
Late Arrivals at least three hours travelling to Uppsala.
If you do not expect to arrive by the start Students also have the option of flying
of the semester please inform your contact into Västerås Airport, which is situated about
person immediately. Several Master pro- 74 km west of Uppsala. From here, students
grammes begin with an important intro- can take a bus directly to Uppsala. This will
duction course that lays the foundations take you approximately 75 minutes.
for continued study. Missing this course can
result in postponing your studies for up to
one year, which may even mean reapplying. Welcome Desk at
Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Uppsala Arrivals On Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th August,
Uppsala University will have a welcome
The closest airport to Uppsala is Stockholm
desk set up at Arlanda. The desk will be
Arlanda, situated approximately 35 km
open between 8am and 8pm, and will be
south of the city. Public transport runs be-
located directly outside customs service in
tween Uppsala and Arlanda frequently, and Terminal 5.
includes buses, trains and taxis. Depend-
 GETTING STARTED 21

Gotland Arrivals
We would like to stress that Gotland is If you are landing at one of the airports
an island in the Baltic Sea, and it will take in or around Stockholm, catch a bus or
time to travel to Gotland from the Swedish train to Stockholm’s Central Railway Sta-
mainland. The majority of people travel- tion. From here, you can take a bus to
ling to Gotland take one of Destination Nynäshamn. For more information, includ-
Gotland’s high speed ferries. These ferries ing ferry schedules and prices, please visit:
depart from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn www.destinationgotland.se.
regularly, and travel time is approximately There are also flights from Stockholm
three hours. Arlanda and Bromma to Visby Airport

As Gotland is an island,
students will need to take
a ferry or plane from the
Swedish mainland to get there.
Photo: Emma West
22 GETTING STARTED

Finding a Place to Live

all year round. Flights from Stockholm to The University Housing Office will guar-
Visby take only 40 minutes. It is also pos- antee an offer of accommodation to all
sible to travel from the southern part of fee-paying Master students who submit
Sweden directly to Visby by plane. a housing application and pay their first
For more information, please visit: tuition installment by 1st June. Students
www.gotlandsflyg.se. who do not meet the deadline will not be
guaranteed an offer of accommodation.
The University Housing Office will also
Orientation Week guarantee an offer of accommodation to
The orientation programme is designed to all formal exchange students provided they
introduce new students, such as yourself, apply on time. This offer will come via the
to Uppsala University and to Sweden. relevant university department. Students
During the week, you will be informed who receive housing through the Universi-
about the resources available to you as a ty Housing Office are required to pay rent,
student, along with other useful tips to
amounting to approximately 3000–4500
assist and guide you through your time in
SEK per month. Accommodation will be
Sweden. By attending the programme, you
available to students for a period of two
will get to know your fellow students and
learn more about Swedish student life. If semesters only. Following this, students are
you are in Uppsala, you will also receive a responsible for arranging alternative hous-
temporary student ID card enabling you ing themselves.
to enter the popular student nations. Wel-
come activities for international students
are organised by Uppsala University, the
student unions, the student nations and
the International Student Committee.
Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
 23

Photo: Jim Peter Elfström

Start looking for accommodation straight
away. The earlier you start, the more
options you will have.

More information about accommodation start applying for accommodation, and put-
for fee-paying Master and exchange stu- ting your name in housing queues, as soon
dents will be sent to students after admis- as you have been admitted as a student at
sion, and is also available at: the university. The more time you spend
www.housingoffice.se. looking, the better chance you will have of
All other students, including non-fee- finding accommodation.
paying Master students, are responsible for Because of the shortage of student hous-
arranging their own accommodation. ing, it is important not to be too picky. All
There are many housing options avail- accommodation in Sweden is of a good
able to you as a student, including dormi- standard. Once you have secured accom-
tory rooms, apartments and share houses. modation, you can continue searching for a
However, due to the abundance of students, more ideal place to live.
finding appropriate accommodation can be If you are a student with special needs,
a difficult, competitive and time-consuming please contact your housing provider to
process. The earlier you start looking for find out if and how your needs can be ac-
accommodation, the more options you will commodated.
have. It is therefore very important that you
24 GETTING STARTED

Housing in Uppsala
Thousands of new students move to price and availability. If you have not man-
Uppsala to begin their studies each year, aged to find housing by the time you arrive
and as a result, finding appropriate in Sweden, visit Studentboet for temporary
accommodation can be very competitive. accommodation options.
The demand for housing is always greatest
during August and September, so start your www.heimstaden.com
search for a place to live right away, and Heimstaden is a private housing company
put some time, energy and thought into that does not have a waiting list or queue
it. Here are some websites to help get you system. This is very advantageous for inter-
started: national students. It is important that you
check this website regularly as new rooms
www.studentboet.se become available often, and these rooms go
Studentboet provides housing options, as to the first students who apply.
well as useful tips, for students looking for
accommodation in Uppsala. The website www.studentstaden.se
includes a list of all of the housing com- Studentstaden is the largest provider of
panies in Uppsala, and a large collection student accommodation in Uppsala. Like
of second-hand contracts ranging in type, many housing companies in Sweden, Stu-

Photo: Staffan Claesson

 GETTING STARTED 25

dentstaden has a queue system, and avail- for second-hand contracts that are written in
able accommodation goes to the applicant English. To look for accommodation, choose
with the largest amount of queue days. It Uppsala and then the category Bostad.
is therefore important that you register for
their queue as soon as possible. Student­ Uppsala’s Student Nations
staden also has a special category of rooms Each of Uppsala’s 13 student nations have
available for newcomers. their own housing for members. This can
include student dormitory rooms and
www.blocket.se apartments located in and around the city.
Blocket is a popular Swedish website where Though criterion for eligibility varies be-
people buy and sell a wide variety of things, tween each nation, many require students
including accommodation. On Blocket, you to be members for a certain amount of
also have the option of creating a profile for time before they can apply for housing.
yourself and stating what kind of housing Read more about accommodation on each
you are looking for. In doing so, you may be of the nations’ websites, and take this into
contacted directly by someone who is inter- consideration when choosing which nation
ested in renting to you. Blocket is entirely to join.
in Swedish, but you can find advertisements

Photo: Staffan Claesson

26 GETTING STARTED

Housing on Gotland Insurance

On the website of the Student Union All students at Uppsala University are cov-
Rindi, you can find an up-to-date list of ered by personal injury insurance during
available student accommodation within study hours and when traveling directly
short distance to the campus. Students can between their place of residence and the
also use the Private Landlords section to place where study hours are spent.
create an advert stating their particular Exchange students are covered by an
accommodation needs. additional insurance policy that includes
Those who wish to live in a more re- coverage for healthcare costs in the event
mote area can depend on Visby’s regular of an accident, a certain level of accident
and reliable public transport network to coverage in the event of disability or death,
travel to and from school. However, it is and liability and legal coverage.
important to note that bus schedules are All fee-paying Master students who have
not coordinated with university classes. To paid tuition are covered by an additional
read more about student accommodation insurance policy that includes accident
options in Visby, please visit: coverage and emergency transportation
www.rindi.com/english. home, healthcare and dental care coverage,
repatriation liability and legal coverage, and
property protection. The insurance applies
throughout the Schengen area with the ex-
Your Finances ception of the property protection, which
According to the Swedish Migration Board, applies only in Sweden.
international students will require at least Students who are EU citizens should
7 300 SEK per month to obtain a Swedish bring a European Health Insurance Card
residency permit. This money should cover
provided by their local authority.
the cost of accommodation and other liv-
On the Legal, Financial and Adminis-
ing expenses. When applying for a permit,
trative Services Agency’s website, you can
you must show that you have the funds to
read the full terms and conditions of per-
cover your entire stay in Sweden. Please
note that the cost of living in Sweden can sonal injury insurance for students.
vary greatly depending on your lifestyle. For more information, please visit:
www.kammarkollegiet.se.
 27

It is strongly encouraged that all interna-

tional students purchase additional insur-
ance to cover themselves outside of study
hours, when traveling between Sweden
and their home country, on trips outside of
Sweden during their study period, and to
protect their property.
Foto: Staffan Claesson

dgdfgdsg
28 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT

Your Life as a Student

The Student Unions and can even take on the role of mediator
Uppsala University has four student unions: when conflict arises between the university
Uppsala Student Union, Pharmaceutical and a student. If you require assistance, or
Student Association, Uppsala Union of En- feel as though you have been mistreated,
gineering and Science Students, and Got- the unions are there to help.
land’s Student Union Rindi. These organisa- The unions also play a very impor-
tions are created and driven by students, for tant social role on campus. Amongst other
students. The main goal of the unions is to things, they help to organise the orientation
ensure the interests of Uppsala University programme that welcomes all new students
students are always prioritised and protect- to Uppsala University.
ed. They deal with issues concerning educa-
tion, health and welfare, equality, interna- Uppsala Student Union
tionalisation, housing and economy. Address: Övre Slottsgatan 7
Representatives for the unions are active Ph. +46 (0)18 480 3100
in several decision making bodies at the www.uppsalastudentkar.se/en
university, and work to improve the rights
and conditions of students. The unions al- Pharmaceutical Student Union
ways act in the best interest of its members, Address: Dag Hammerskjölds Väg 16
Ph. +46 (0)18 527 833
www.farmis.se

Uppsala Union of Engineering

and Science Students
Address: Uthgård, Pollacksbacken,
Building 73
Ph. +46 (0)18 572 520
www.utn.se

Gotland’s Student Union Rindi

Address: Tage Cervins Gata 1
Ph. +46 (0)498 299 905
www.rindi.com/english
Photo: Staffan Claesson
 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT 29

International The Student Nations

Buddy Programme One of the most integral parts of student
Through the unions, new international stu- life in Uppsala is the student nations. There
dents have the opportunity to take part in are 13 nations, each dating back to the 17th
a buddy programme. As a part of this pro- century. Only students can become a mem-
gramme, new students are paired up with ber of the nations, which are responsible
a more experienced student, who can help for arranging activities and events specifi-
them adjust to life at Uppsala University. cally for students.
The buddies can provide advice and sup- Though each nation varies in size and
port to students before, during and after character, they each provide a space for
they have moved to Sweden. If you wish students to meet, socialise and enjoy life
to take part in the international buddy outside of the classroom. Most nations have
programme, please ‘register as a newbie’ a café, pub and restaurant, and popular
through the website of the Uppsala Stu- nation activities include club nights, for-
dent Union. Please note, students studying mal dinners, balls and musical events. As a
pharmacy, business or economics do not member, you can also join a wide array of
have to apply for the buddy programme. personal interest groups and sporting clubs.
Instead, they will be contacted directly.

If you fancy dressing up and

wining and dining, you can attend one
of the balls or formal dinners organised
by the student nations.
Photo: Lars Wallin
30

As a student at Uppsala University, you have

Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

the opportunity to get involved and influence

your studies!
 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT 31

Each nation is named after a specific re- are crucial to improving the quality of edu-
gion in Sweden, and traditionally students cation. You, along with the student unions
joined the nation representing the region and student committees, play an important
they were from. Today however, students role when it comes to the development
can join the nation of their choice. of programmes and courses. For example,
Along with the student unions, the na- when you have finished a course you are
tions help to organise welcome activities required to fill out a course evaluation.
for new students. During Orientation Week The feedback received in these evaluations
you will receive information about each of enables the university to make the changes
the nations. This will help you to decide and developments needed to improve the
which nation to join. During your time as a course. If you wish get more involved in
student you are likely to attend formal din- educational matters at the university, please
ners and balls at the nations, so it might be a contact your student union.
good idea to bring a suit or an elegant dress. The university as a whole has adopted
many policies and procedures to ensure
that your study environment meets your
Your Rights and Responsibilities needs as a student. These have been out-
At Uppsala University, all students share lined in several internal steering documents,
the same rights, responsibilities and op- and were formed by both staff mem-
portunities. This is regulated by the fed- bers and representatives from the student
eral laws that govern higher education in unions. You can find all of these documents
Sweden. In addition, the university has on the university’s website or through Stu-
established certain guidelines to ensure that dent Services.
students experience an open, accommodat-
ing and diverse study environment. Student Working Conditions
The Guidelines for Student Working Con-
Influence Your Studies ditions is often referred to as the list of
As a student of Uppsala University, you are student rights. This document outlines the
a valued member of the community and demands you can make on such matters
are the focal point of all operations. Ac- as your physical and psychosocial environ-
cording to the Swedish Higher Education ment, quality development and student
Authority, which governs higher education influence, course planning and scheduling,
in Sweden, all students have the right to teaching, resources and examination
be involved in important decisions made procedures.
by the university. You are considered a co-
worker of the university, and your opinions
32 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT

Anti-Discrimination and
Equal Treatment of Students
At Uppsala University, all students share
the same rights, responsibilities and op-
portunities, irrespective of gender, ethnic-
ity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or
other belief system. This is clearly stated
in the university’s Discrimination Act. In
addition, Uppsala University has imple-
mented a plan of action titled the Equal
Treatment Plan, which details how equality,
accessibility and diversity will be employed
at the university.

Grading Issues
Any student who feels they have been
graded unfairly can turn to the university’s
ombudsman for grading issues. This also ap-
plies to students who believe an assessment
procedure was poorly executed.

Diversity
To create meeting places for students and
staff with different ethnic and religious
backgrounds is a way to increase creativ-
ity and acceptance at the university. This
is stated in Uppsala University’s Diver-
sity Plan, which all students and staff are
obliged to follow. The university aims to in-
crease diversity amongst the student body,
and the Broader Recruitment Plan outlines
how the university can achieve this goal.
Photo: Katarina Grip Höök

Students at Campus Gotland.

 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT 33

Gender Equality has a Parental Policy that concerns all em-

The study environment at Uppsala Univer- ployees and students. The policy supports
sity welcomes men and women alike. This a positive attitude to parenthood and pro-
is one of the foremost points in the uni- vides information and guidelines on how
versity’s gender equality work. The Plan of to support students and employees with
Action for Gender Equality describes how children.
the university engages in gender issues and
works to combat any form of discrimination.

Equality Regarding Sexual Orientation

and Sexual Identity
The Equality Plan outlines Uppsala Uni-
versity’s ambition to be an open and toler-
ant environment for all staff and students,
regardless of their sexual orientation or
identity. This work shall be prioritised at all
levels of the university, and naturally inte-
grated into all university proceedings.

Accessibility
The university is committed to ensuring
that staff and students with disabilities are
given equitable access to work and study,
and are able to fully participate in life at
Uppsala University. The Accessibility Plan
details what measures the university must
take to increase physical accessibility in
university environments and improve the
reception of people with disabilities.

Parental Support
On average, every fifth student at Uppsala
University is a parent. It is therefore ex-
tremely important that student life can be
Photo: Katarina Grip Höök

combined with parenting. The university Biking in Visby.

34 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT

Student Support Services To log in to the student portal, you must

have a student account with UpUnet-S.
Student Portal Students can only apply for an account
Uppsala University’s student portal is an by submitting a form to Student Internet
important tool for all students. Here, you Services. Exchange students will be sent
can access your programme and course this form by their contact person, whereas
syllabi, study results, e-transcripts, view other students can access it online on the
messages from the student union and find student portal’s first page. Students will
information about the services that are receive detailed instructions about applying
available to you. Through the student por- for an UpUnet-S account in the welcome
tal, you can also access your student email package they receive upon arrival at the
account. It is important that you log in on university.
a regular basis, as this may be the only way
your department informs you of changes Contact Person and the
or news. Students may also be required to Student Services Office
register to certain courses, exams and study Before you arrive in Sweden, you will be
groups through the portal. given the details of a contact person at the
www.studentportalen.uu.se university. This person will most likely be a

At the Student Service Office, you can receive

assistance and guidance from one of our study
and career counsellors.

Photo: Staffan Claesson

 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT 35

representative from your department, and establishing and managing a large num-
will help to answer any questions you may ber of these agreements. Some exchange
have. Students are also welcome to email, students will have a contact person at the
phone or visit the Student Services Office International Office, who can help answer
with enquiries. questions regarding their exchange, arrival,
accommodation and orientation. Other ex-
Student Services Office change students will have a contact person
Address: St. Olofsgatan 10B at their department.
Ph. +46 (0)18 471 4710
Email: [email protected] Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities are advised to
Study and Career Counsellors contact the university’s Disability Coor-
Uppsala University’s study and career dinator to discuss their need for support
counsellors provide assistance and advice as soon as possible. International students
to anyone interested in studying at the coming through an Erasmus or Nordplus
university. Located in the same building as exchange programme are encouraged to
the Student Services Office, the counsellors seek extra scholarships to cover any costs
can answer questions you may have regard- relating to their disability.
ing eligibility, the admission and selection
process and degree requirements, as well as Learning assistance options may include:
help you to make study and career plans. • Note-taking assistance
They can also give you feedback on your • Course literature in alternative
CV and cover letter and help you to pre- formats, including audio books
pare for a job interview. • Sign language interpretation
Each department also has at least one (Swedish sign language)
study counsellor who can provide you • Mentors
with information specifically related to the • Modifications to examinations,
department’s programmes and courses. If such as extended exam time for
needed, they can even help you create an written exams
individual study plan. • Additional assistance from the
University Library
International Office
Uppsala University has exchange agree-
ments with approximately 500 univer-
sities in 50 countries around the world.
The International Office is responsible for
36 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT

Students who require a personal assistant to all Uppsala University students and is
or special transportation are responsible for free of charge. The tutors involved at the
organising these themselves. Please bring Language Workshop have extensive experi-
your own computer if you require one with ence in teaching oral and written commu-
adapted software. nication techniques in different academic
Disability Coordinator: disciplines, and can provide individual con-
[email protected]. sultations in both English and Swedish. For
more information, please visit:
Scholarships www.nordiska.uu.se/sprakverkstaden.
All registered students with a full-time
study load can apply for scholarships at English Lessons
Uppsala University. These scholarships are International students wishing to improve
funded by donations made to the univer- their English proficiency can enrol in a
sity, some of them dating back to the 17th course through the Department of English.
century. The majority of scholarships have The course is called Practical English: Oral
very specific eligibility requirements, often and Written Production, and is worth 7.5
reflecting Swedish society during the time credits. The course is specifically aimed
period the donations were made. The funds towards international students and focuses
awarded can vary greatly between each on developing their ability to communicate
scholarship. Please visit the university’s through compulsory discussions and pre-
website to read more about the available sentations based on the course literature.
scholarships. For details on how to apply, please contact
International students can also apply for the Department of English on the follow-
scholarships through the Swedish Institute. ing email address:
This is a government agency that awards [email protected].
over 500 scholarships annually to inter-
national students and researchers. More Swedish Lessons
information can be found on the following The Department of Scandinavian Lan-
website: guages offers Swedish language courses at
www.studyinsweden.se/Scholarships/. beginner’s, intermediate and advanced level
throughout the year. All students attending
The Language Workshop the university as part of an exchange pro-
If you are having difficulty structuring a gramme can take a basic Swedish language
written assignment or require feedback on course. Students can apply for this course
an oral presentation, the Language Work- through their contact person after they
shop can help you! The workshop is open have arrived in Sweden. Other internation-
 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT 37

Your Health and Wellbeing

al students can apply for this course, how- The health and wellbeing of students
ever, there are usually a limited number of is a top priority for Uppsala University.
places available and students will be offered Through the university, students can re-
a place on a first come, first serve basis. ceive confidential and professional as-
The course in basic Swedish consists of sistance for a wide range of issues. There
48 hours of instruction. Students who pass are a number of student welfare services
the final exam will receive academic credit. available, and university staff members are
Those who have met the attendance re- always on hand to offer their support and
quirements but do not wish to sit the final guidance. Students can also improve their
exam will receive a certificate. Students physical fitness by becoming members of
can apply and register for the course once one of the student gyms.
they have arrived at Uppsala University.
As places are limited, students required by
their home university to study Swedish will
be prioritised.
An intensive Swedish language summer
course, consisting of 60 hours of instruc-
tion, will also be offered in August. Stu-
dents wishing to apply for this course must
be prepared to arrive in Sweden in late
July. The number of places in this course is
limited, and priority is given to exchange
students. Students attending Uppsala Uni-
versity through the Erasmus programme
should contact their home institution to see
if they are eligible for an EILC grant.
To apply for the intensive Swedish lan-
guage summer course, please complete the
EILC application form and submit it to the
university before the 1st June 2013. You
should receive notification about admission
within four weeks. If you already possess
Swedish language skills, please do not apply
to the summer course.
Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
38 YOUR LIFE AS A STUDENT

The Student Health Centre vices, taizé worship sessions, and organise a
It is not uncommon for students to experi- gospel choir.
ence problems with stress, performance As Sweden is a very multicultural society,
anxiety, sleeping and eating disorders, and many different faiths and places of worship
lack of self-esteem during their studies. The can be found. For information about the re-
Student Health Centre operates as a health ligious movements in your area, please con-
service for all Uppsala University students, tact the University Chaplaincy.
and works predominantly with study-re- www.uppsala.universitetskyrkan.se/english
lated healthcare, lifestyle advice and crisis
assistance. Through the Student Health Exercise and Sports
Centre, you can receive individual coun- Campus 1477 is the Student Health Cen-
selling or take part in group sessions. Staff tre’s fitness section in Uppsala, with two
members consist of nurses, psychologists, large training facilities located at the Sci-
counsellors and a physician. ence Park and Blåsenhus. Here, you can use
Please note, the Student Health Centre modern exercise facilities, play sport and
is not an emergency ward, medical clinic or take part in group training classes. Campus
hospital. However, as the Swedish health 1477 also has indoor rock climbing facili-
care system can be difficult to navigate, ties, saunas and a light room to compen-
international students are welcome to turn sate for light deprivation during the winter.
to the Student Health Centre for advice Massage and physiotherapy services are also
or referrals. More information, including available. At Campus 1477, you can pur-
opening hours, can be found on the follow- chase a student membership at a discount
ing website: www.sh.uu.se. price.

University Chaplaincy Campus 1477

The University Chaplains are clergymen Address: Science Park,
and women of the Swedish Church and Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 58
ministers of the Mission Covenant Church Address: Blåsenhus, Von Kraemers Allé 5
of Sweden. They serve all staff and students www.campus1477.se
at the university, who are welcome to talk
to them privately or take part in group ses- Students can also join various sporting
sions. The University Chaplaincy is open to clubs organised by the nations, or become a
individuals of all faiths, and provides confi- member of a private gym.
dential counselling to those in need. They
also offer foreign language and rainbow ser-
 39

Campus 1477 is perfect for those with an

active lifestyle, and offers everything from
aerobics to indoor rock climbing.

Photo: Alex Giacomini

 40

Useful Information
Glossary

Academic Quarter
An old tradition whereby lectures and
seminars begin 15 minutes after the desig-
nated hour.

Alma
This is the name of the café in the Uni-
versity Main Building in Uppsala. Alma is
an abbreviation of the Latin “alma mater”,
meaning the “the kindly mother”.

Alumnus
An alumnus is a former student. The word
is Latin and means “pupil” or “protégé”.
Uppsala University has an active alumni
network. By becoming a member, you can
keep in contact with the university and
your fellow students even after you have
finished studying. For more information,
FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

please visit: www.uu.se/en/alumni/.

Botanical Garden
Uppsala’s Botanical Garden was originally
created as a courtyard to the castle by Olof
Rudbeck in the 1650’s. Today, the Botanical
Garden plays an important role in Uppsa-
la’s academic life as a botanical museum.
It is also a beloved recreational space for
the people of Uppsala. Every other year,
Photo: Martin Cejie

a week-long harvest festival is held in the

garden.
 41

Campus
A campus is an area housing the univer-
sity’s teaching and research facilities. Up-
psala University has several campuses in
Uppsala, such as the Uppsala Biomedical
Center (BMC), Ångström Laboratory and
the English Park Campus Centre. This year,
Uppsala University introduced Campus
Gotland.

Carolina Rediviva
Carolina Rediviva is Uppsala University’s
main library. Here, you will find reading,

Photo: Lina Solander

periodicals and study rooms, as well as an
exhibition hall with the Silver Bible, Carta
Marina and other rarities from the library’s
extensive collection.

Civic Registration Number Curator

If you are staying in Sweden for a year or The First Curator (1Q) is the elected
more then you are entitled to a Swedish chairperson of a student nation. They are
civic registration number (personnum- primarily responsible for representing the

FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

mer). To apply for a personnummer, you nation and coordinating activities. The
must register as a resident at the Swedish Second Curator (2Q) is the nation’s cashier,
Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Once you have and most nations also have a Third Curator
obtained a personnummer, you become eli- (3Q) who is responsible for personnel,
gible for Swedish healthcare benefits. purchases and festivities.

Conferment Ceremony Emergency

This is the graduation ceremony where 112 is the emergency phone number in
doctoral students are awarded their honor- Sweden. By calling this number you can
ary insignia. During the ceremony, honor- contact the police, ambulance service or
ary and jubilee doctors who received their fire department.
degree 50 years ago are also celebrated.
 42

Photo: Susanne de Paulis

Photo: Staffan Claesson

Fika Gasque (Swedish)
Fika is a social institution in Sweden; it A “gasque” is a formal dinner party at a
means having a break, most often a coffee student nation. A dress code is employed,
break, with one’s colleagues, friends, part- a three course meal is served, and students
ner or family. Aside from a warm drink, it often engage in singing and dancing. Some
almost always includes something sweet to gasques also have a special theme, such as
eat. The word “fika” can serve as both a verb the Lucia Gasque, Lamb’s Head Gasque
and a noun, and enjoying a fika is an impor- and the International Gasque. This event is
tant part of every Swedish person’s day. organised for international students such as
yourself, so make sure you purchase your
Fredagsmys ticket during Orientation Week. After the
“Mysig” is a favourite Swedish word which dinner, the event turns into a dance party
basically means to be cosy. The word can (called “släpp”), and students who did not
be used to describe a place, an event and attend the dinner are allowed in. There is
FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

even a person. “Fredagsmys” is the popular usually no dress code for the släpp.
tradition of celebrating the end of the
working week by having a quiet and cosy Guest Card
Friday evening. Only students of Uppsala University and
the Swedish University of Agricultural Sci-
ences can become members of one of Up-
psala’s student nations. Students of other
universities who wish to attend the nations
can purchase a temporary guest card from
the Kuratorskonventet.
 43

Photo: Katarina Grip Höök

Photo: Daniel Golabiewski

Gustavianum Illness
Gustavianum is Uppsala University’s oldest If you fall ill you can call 1177 for medical
building. Today, the building primary func- advice. By calling this number you will speak
tions as a museum displaying objects from with a qualified nurse who can instruct you
the university collections of Classical, Egyp- on where to turn for treatment. This number
tian and Nordic antiquities as well as an ex- can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a
hibition on the history of science and the his- week. Advice will be given in either Swedish
tory of Uppsala University. In the museum or English. In cases of extended illness, please
store students can purchase Uppsala Univer- inform your department and speak to a study
sity’s profile products and merchandise. and career advisor about how to make up for
the time you have missed.
Hesa Fredrik
At exactly 3pm on the first non-holiday Internet/WI-FI
Monday of every month you are likely to The university’s two wireless networks,

FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

hear an alarm signal coming from outside. Upunet-S and Eduroam, are available to
This is a sound test of the emergency popu- anyone with a student account. Details
lation warning, commonly refered to as about how to get your student account
Hesa Fredrik in Sweden. will be provided in the Welcome Package
you receive upon arrival. There is no need
IKEA to have this account beforehand. WI-FI is
Around the world, IKEA is synonymous available in all university-owned buildings.
with Sweden. Not only is it a national in-
stitution, it is also one of the few places
where you can find affordable furniture
and food at the same time. As a student in
Sweden, it is definitely worthwhile locating
your nearest IKEA! Trips to IKEA are usu-
ally organised during Orientation Week.
 44

Photo: Fredrik Broms/imagebank.sweden.se

Photo: Staffan Claesson

KK-Card Lagom
KK-Card is a reward system for students Lagom is a societal code of conduct in
who devote an exceptional amount of their Sweden which basically means “the right
free time to the nations. The card grants amount’’. It can be used to describe just
the bearer, and one guest, free entry to all about everything, such as behaviour, the size
nations during traditional nation activities. of an apartment, or the amount of sugar in
your coffee. Many people believe the word
Kuratorskonventet “lagom’’ sums up the Swedish national
Kuratorskonventet is the cooperative organ- psyche, one of consensus and equality.
isation of the student nations, and works to in-
crease the collaboration between each of the Linnaeus Garden
13 nations. Kuratorskonventet manages the The Linnaeus Garden is a faithful recon-
nations’ contact with outside partners, such as struction of Uppsala University’s Botanical
Uppsala University, Uppsala Student Union, Garden as it appeared in the time of Carl
FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

the municipality of Uppsala and the business Linnaeus. Today, the Linnaeus Garden has
sector. Kuratorskonventet also publishes the an exhibition and guided tours for visitors.
Beginner’s Guide and the Nation Guide.
Melodifestivalen
Kvalborg Very few events unite or divide the Swed-
Kvalborg is a combination of Valborg and ish population like Melodifestivalen. Held
the Swedish word “kvalificera”, meaning throughout March, this popular televised
to qualify. Kvalborg is celebrated the day music competition determines which art-
before Valborg, where one “qualifies” for ist will represent Sweden in the Eurovision
the coming celebration by participating in Song Contest. Melodifestivalen actually
preparatory festivities. launched the career of ABBA, who went on
to win Eurovision in 1974.
 45

Photo: Katarina Grip Höök

Photo: Matton
Northern Lights Professorial Inauguration
The Northern Lights are a phenomenon This is a public event where new professors
that occurs when gaseous particles in the are officially inaugurated and present their
Earth’s atmosphere collide with charged inauguration speeches. At Uppsala Univer-
particles released from the sun’s atmo- sity, this event occurs once a year.
sphere. The different gases produce spec-
tacular colours in the Arctic sky. We hope Raukar
you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of This is the Gutnish name for the sea stacks
the Northern Lights while in Sweden. that are so often featured on Gotland post-
cards. Sea stacks are a geological landform
Orientation Week that is formed when part of a headland is
This refers to the introduction activities eroded by the force of sea water crashing
organised by Uppsala University, the stu- against rock. Digerhuvud is Gotland’s big-
dent unions, the student nations, and the gest sea stack area.

FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

International Student Committee at the be-
ginning of each semester. Activities include Recentior
sporting activities, games and pub nights, Recentior is a Latin word meaning “begin-
and give new students the opportunity to ner”. At Uppsala University, the term is
get to know each other. Please note, there often used to describe new students.
are no demeaning or humiliating hazing
rituals at Uppsala University. Rectrix Magnifica
This is the ceremonial title of the Vice-
Chancellor.
 46

Photo: Katarina Grip Höök

Photo: Evy Lidén

Registration River Rafting
You can register for courses through the During the Valborg celebrations, students
Student Portal. The courses listed on the compete in a rafting race down the river
Student Portal should be those you have Fyris. The rafts are built by students out of
been admitted to. Please note, it is not al- styrofoam, and often represent a certain
ways possible to register for courses early. theme. The aim of the race is to remain in
Some departments only enable students to one piece while navigating the waterfalls,
register in the week before a course com- rather than cross the finish line first.
mences and others require students to at-
tend a scheduled class first. Scandal House
The university building at St. Olofsgatan
Riding 10 is referred to as the Scandal House. This
Uppsala University’s Academic Stable is stems from the scandal it caused when it
the world’s second oldest riding school, and was built in 1910. The Scandal House is
FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

offers classes for riders of all levels. Each se- situated directly across the road from the
mester the university gives out scholarships University Main Building, which is the uni-
comprising 16 weeks of free riding classes. versity’s most prestigious structure. As the
Scandal House is taller than the University
Ringmur Main Building, many people accused it of
Ringmur is the name of the medieval for- diminishing the dignity of this important
tress wall that surrounds the old town of and esteemed building.
Visby, on the island of Gotland. The wall
is 3.4 km long and was constructed during Schedules
the 13th century. When searching for a course schedule, you
need the name of the course and the weeks
it is given. Most course schedules are
found at the following address:
www.schema.uu.se.
 47

Photo: Katarina Grip Höök

Photo: Evy Lidén

Semester UBBO
A semester is a half term at the university that This is the name of the building at Övre
lasts 20 weeks. The autumn semester 2013 is Slottsgatan 7. Here, you will find the
from Monday 2nd September to Sunday 19th Uppsala Student Union, Student Health
January. The spring semester 2014 is from Center, University Chaplaincy, the student
Monday 20th January to Sunday 8th June. nations’ communal office and Kuratorskon-
ventet.
Student Orchestra Festival (STORK)
STORK is held every year, alternating be- Uppdok
tween Uppsala and Linköping. In 2013, the Uppdok is the official documentation sys-
festival will be held in Linköping. tem used by Uppsala University to register
study results. Every time an exam result
Student Card has been registered in Uppdok you will re-
All students are issued a student card when ceive a message through the Student Portal.

FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

they join a student nation. This card acts as The university also uses Uppdok to register
a form of ID and gives students permission a student’s name, civic registration number,
to enter the student nations. It also entitles general eligibility for university studies, ad-
students to various discounts on food, mission to programmes and courses, course
travel and other products. Please note that registration, credits awarded and degree
student cards are only valid when present- qualifications.
ed together with another form of photo ID,
such as a driver’s license or passport. Valborg
On the 30th April, thousands of people
Ticket System from all over Sweden come to Uppsala to
From pharmacies, banks and doctor’s offices, to celebrate Walpurgis Eve, or Valborg. This is
the deli at your local super market, in Sweden a huge day for students, and includes river
you will often be expected to take a numbered rafting, traditional Swedish food, cham-
ticket when waiting in any kind of queue. pagne, singing and dancing.
 48

List of Contacts
University Services Student Health Service
Student Services Office (Studenthälsan)
(Studentservice) Övre Slottsgatan 7, Level 2
Uppsala University SE-753 10 Uppsala
Box 256, St. Olofsgatan 10B Ph. +46 (0)18 155 050
SE-751 05 Uppsala Web: www.sh.uu.se
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.uu.se/education The University Chaplaincy
(Universitetskyrkan)
International Office Övre Slottsgatan 7
(Internationella kansliet) SE-753 10 Uppsala
Uppsala University Ph. +46 (0)18 430 3706
Box 256, St. Olofsgatan 10A Email: [email protected]
SE-751 05 Uppsala Web: www.uppsala.universitetskyrkan.se/
Web: www.uu.se/exchange english

Student Unions and the Nations

Uppsala Student Union Association of Engineering
FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

(Uppsala Studentkår) and Science Students

Övre Slottsgatan 7 (Uppsala teknolog- och naturvetakår)
SE-753 10 Uppsala Uthgård, Polacksbacken, Building 73
Ph. +46 (0)18 480 3100 SE-752 37 Uppsala
Email: [email protected] Ph. +46 (0)18 572 520
Web: www.uppsalastudentkar.se Email: [email protected]
Web: www.utn.uu.se
The Pharmaceutical Student Association
(Farmacevtiska studentkåren) Gotland’s Student Union Rindi
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 16 (Gotlands Studentkår Rindi)
Box 957, SE-751 09 Uppsala Address: Tage Cervins Gata 1
Ph. +46 (0)18 527 833 Ph. +46 (0)498 299 905
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Web: www.farmis.se Web: www.rindi.com/english
 49

Gotlands Nation Södermanland-Nerikes Nation

Address: Östra Ågatan 13 Address: St. Olofsgatan 16
Ph. +46 (0)18 130 981 Ph. +46 (0)18 154 060
www.gotlandsnation.se www.snerikes.se

Gästrike-Hälsinge Nation Uplands Nation

Address: Trädgårdsgatan 9 Address: St. Larsgatan 11
Ph. +46 (0)18 666 141 Ph. +46 (0)18 152 151
www.ghnation.se www.uplandsnation.se

Göteborgs Nation Värmlands Nation

Address: St. Larsgatan 7B Address: Nedre Slottsgatan 2
Ph. +46 (0)18 132 006 Ph. +46 (0)18 134 445
www.goteborgsnation.se www.varmlandsnation.se

Kalmar Nation Västgöta Nation

Address: Svartmangatan 3 Address: Västra Ågatan 18
Ph. +46 (0)18 694 980 Ph. +46 (0)18 136 360
www.kalmarnation.com www.vastgotanation.se

Norrlands Nation Västmanland-Dala Nation

FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

Address: Västra Ågatan 14 Address: St. Larsgatan 13
Ph. +46 (0)18 657 979 Ph. +46 (0)18 105 339
www.norrlandsnation.se www.v-dala.se

Smålands Nation Östgöta Nation

Address: St. Larsgatan 5 Address: Trädgårdsgatan 15
Ph. +46 (0)18 131 854 Ph. +46 (0)18 134 311
www.smalands.nu www.ostgotanation.se

Stockholms Nation
Address: Drottningsgatan 11
Ph. +46 (0)18 146 333
www.stockholms.se
 50

Uppsala Local Authorities

Swedish Tax Agency Swedish Migration Board
(Skatteverket) (Migrationsverket)
Kungsängsgatan 43 Bolandsgatan 10,
SE-751 87 Uppsala Box 6113, SE-601 70 Norrköping
Ph. +46 (0)771 567 567 Ph. +46 (0)771 235 235
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Web: www.skatteverket.se Web: www.migrationsverket.se

Police Office Social Insurance Office

Svartbäcksgatan 49 (Försäkringskassan)
Box 3007, SE-750 03 Uppsala Svartbäcksgatan 11
Ph. 114 14 SE-751 88 Uppsala
Email: [email protected] Ph. +46 (0)771 524 30
Web: www.polisen.se/uppsala Web: www.forsakringskassan.se

General information about Sweden

General Information About Sweden
The Swedish Institute
(Svenska institutet)
FOR FORMAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY

Box 7434, SE-103 91 Stockholm

Web: www.studyinsweden.se
 51

Photo: Kalbar Destination Uppsala

Uppsala University International
Student Guide
www.uu.se
2013/2014

T he Wor ld awa its you