Frequently Asked Questions

We have made step-by-step guides for you to follow when you want to apply for studies at the University of Gothenburg: Apply

You can find all our courses and programmes on the following webpage: Find courses

If enough students who have been admitted to a course or programme decline their places, then the University will start contacting applicants who are on the waiting list. In other words, the University will contact you if and when it is your turn to be offered a place. Admissions from the waiting list are offered in the order in which you are placed in the selection group that you belong to.

If you are studying with a degree as your ultimate goal, you need to be aware that there are specific requirements for each degree. Some degrees can only be studied for via programmes (especially those leading to a professional qualification). Some degrees require you to take freestanding courses. There are also degrees where you can choose for yourself if you want to complete your degree by following a programme or by taking freestanding courses.

When you follow a programme, you are following a ready structure that includes all of the courses required for your degree. If you are taking freestanding courses instead, it is important that you regularly check with a study counsellor within your subject area to ensure that you are studying the courses that are required for the degree that you are aiming for.

Another difference between following a programme and taking freestanding courses is that, as a programme student, you are guaranteed a place in the mandatory courses included in the programme. As a student taking freestanding courses, however, you have to apply for a place in each course before it starts.

Once you have been admitted to a course or programme and have accepted a place, you will receive a notification and information from the Department before the course or programme starts. You must then register as a student for the course or programme, according to the instructions that you receive from the Department. You will lose your place if you do not register.

Courses and programmes may be open for late applications. You can find out which courses and programmes are open for late application at universityadmissions.se. If you fulfil the entry requirements for the courses or programmes that you have applied for, your late application will be given a priority based on the date that your application was received.

If several people apply on the same date, the priority will be assigned randomly by drawing lots. The time of day that you apply does not count; it is the date that counts.

Applying after the deadline (universityadmissions.se)

There is an autumn semester and a spring semester. The autumn semester starts around 1 September and runs for 20 weeks. The spring semester starts on the Monday directly after the end of the autumn semester (roughly 20 January) and is also 20 weeks long. There are no holiday periods during the semesters.

Academic calendar

All students at the University of Gothenburg should have the opportunity and means to complete their studies. Several forms of assistance are therefore available to support and help you if you feel that your studies or study situation is difficult. Students with disabilities can get study support.

Studying with a disability

If you have been admitted to but are unable to start your course or programme right now, you can apply to defer the start of your studies until a later semester. You need to have a special reason for not being able to start immediately. Read more about it on the page Deferring your studies.

You can find course syllabuses and reading lists on the Student Portal: Search course syllabus and literature list.

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden and a home for many students, as the city includes both the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University.  One of the first things you need to arrange before moving to Sweden is a place to live. The best thing is to start looking for accommodation as soon as possible.

Student housing

You can apply for credit transfer based on your previous qualifications if you have been admitted to and are registered as a student at the University of Gothenburg. In your application, it is important that you include your original documents as proof of your previous qualifications.

Depending on the qualifications you wish to have credited, the process is different. For more information, please go to Getting your degree.

There are many foundations and donors to apply for. On the webpage Scholarships and grants, we have gathered information for you who are a student or doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

You are welcome to contact the general study counselling if you are looking to start studying, have general questions about the University or would like to discuss your plans and goals for the future.

General questions about university studies

If you have questions about specific subjects, courses or programmes, please contact the study counsellor for that subject area: Questions about subjects, courses or programmes.