Exchange studies abroad
The Faculty of Engineering LTH has exchange agreements with partner universities all over the world, enabling students to spend a semester abroad at one of these universities without paying additional tuition fees. All of the courses taken during the exchange need to be recognised by the study programme at LTH and included in the degree.
To go on an exchange, you will first need to apply to LTH for exchange studies. Students in two-year master's programmes can apply in the spring application round. Students who are eligible and meet the requirements will be nominated to one of the applied universities by the International office at LTH. If there are more students applying than available spots to a certain university, the student(s) with best average grade will then be nominated, given that s/he/they are eligible and meet the requirements.
After being nominated, you have to apply directly to the host university and not until a Letter of Acceptance has been received, are you officially accepted to exchange studies.
Programmes allowing exchange
- Architecture
- Digital Architecture and Emergent Futures
- Industrial Design
- Machine Learning, Systems and Control
- Nanoscience
- Photonics
- Sustainable Energy Engineering
- Water Resource Engineering
Programmes allowing exchange with conditions
- Biotechnology - N B with the condition that you study the elective mandatory course Biotechnology, Process and Plant Design during semester 2
- Embedded Electronics Engineering - N B you will need to find a course equivalent to EITN40 IC Project 2
Programmes that do not allow exchange
- Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation
- Energy-Efficient and Environmental Building Design
- Food Technology and Nutrition
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Pharmaceutical Technology; Discovery, Development and Production
- Production and Materials Engineering
- Sustainable Urban Design
- Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
- Wireless Communication
Exchange studies abroad as a student in a two-year master’s programme at LTH
Students in two-year master's programmes at LTH may apply for exchange studies for one semester (to be commenced in semester 3). Application for exchange studies is done during semester 2.
In the application round during semester 2, only a limited number of universities will be available. This is because only the remaining spots that were not filled in the earlier application round (for students in five-year study programmes) will be re-opened for application. Universities available for application vary from year to year and are usually published a week before the spring application round opens. You are responsible for finding universities that offer suitable courses specifically for you and your program.
Key dates and deadlines
For exchange for the academic year 2025-2026:
- Spring application round: 10-20 February 2025
- Deadline: 20 February 2025, 23:59
Please note that the spring application round is only for students studying one of the two-year international master's programmes.
Students on five-year study programmes cannot apply in the spring application round, but you can apply during the autumn application round.
International master’s students who wish to apply for exchange studies abroad need to meet both LTH’s and the partner university’s requirements.
To apply for exchange studies you need to:
- Be registered as a full time student at an International Master’s Programme at LTH
- Apply in the second semester to do the exchange in the third semester
- Have passed 30 credits with results available in Ladok before the cut-off date
- Have a proposed study plan to be recognised by your programme director at LTH
All international master students should discuss with their programme director about their proposed study plan before applying to LTH, in order to ensure that the courses can be recognised by the study programme. If this step is disregarded and the programme director later evaluates the study plan not to be recognisable at LTH, the nomination may be terminated and the exchange thus cancelled.
For detailed information, please see the local regulations at LTH for the nomination of outgoing exchange students. For LTH’s partner universities’ eligibility and requirements, please see the list: "Faculty of Engineering | Mobility agreements".
Local regulations at LTH for the nomination of outgoing exchange students (PDF, 258 kB, new tab)
You need to have sufficient language skills in the relevant language for your exchange. The host university information sheet (found in SoleMove) sometimes lists two study languages. You need to verify the language of instruction for courses you are interested in.
We do not require any academic language merits in the application or for participation in the exchange programme.
Additional language test are usually not required. However, in some cases the universities do demand language tests or certificates TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo. You do not have to take a test for the initial application at Lund University, only if you get nominated and the host university requires it. You will receive more information from your coordinator.
Sometimes we are requested by the host university to certify the level of your language skills by writing a certificate. This certificate may be requested when you submit your documents to the host university.
The levels below indicate the levels of language proficiency of users of the language.
A Beginners level
- A1 (beginner)
- A2 (pre-intermediate)
B Intermediate level
- B1 (intermediate)
- B2 (upper-intermediate)
C Advanced level
- C1 (advanced)
- C2 (proficiency)
You can do a web-based language test at Folkuniversitetet to test your skills, free of charge. The test is run in accordance with the CEFR. Folkuniversitetet language level test.
If you have a disability that affects your studies, you can still apply for exchange studies. Support is available upon arrival, and if you travel to an Erasmus+ country, you can apply for an additional Erasmus+ grant. This grant can cover extended exam writing time, note-taking support, special transports, etc. More information is available on the Erasmus+ grants website under "Additional funding you can apply for".
Good to know:
- You need a certificate from Lund University describing the support you require. If you have applied for and received a decision regarding pedagogical support, you can find it in NAIS.
- If you need pedagogical support but don't have a decision yet, you need to apply for it. See this site.
- Partner universities may require a medical certificate confirming the information in the NAIS certificate. Therefore, you must be prepared to bring such a certificate, which should be written in English.
- Information on whether a partner university has the resources to accommodate students in need of pedagogical support can usually be found in the partner universities’ "Info Sheets" or "Fact Sheets".
EU citizens – exchange within the EU
As EU citizens have the right to free movement within the EU, you are not obligated to apply for a residence permit when studying abroad in the EU. Your host institution will give you information on what is required in your case.
If you need a visa or a residence permit to the host country
You are responsible for your own visa or residence permit application process and shall apply as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from the host university. Even before this, please familiarise yourself with the visa or residence permit requirements for the country you will be studying in. There may be additional requirements such as a medical certificate.
- Make sure that your passport is valid for the entire study period and for an additonal six months after you leave your host destination.
- You can usually apply for a visa or residence permit after you have received your letter of acceptance from your host university.
- You can also contact the country's embassy in Sweden for information on what applies for you: Foreign Embassies in Sweden.
- Applying for a visa or residence permit can be expensive and take time, so be sure to start the process as early as you can.
Applications for student visas often require:
- an admission decision (i.e. “Letter of Acceptance”) from your host university
- proof of financing (decision/certificate from CSN or your bank/parents)
- a health insurance certificate
- a birth certificate from the Swedish Tax Agency (or the equivalent) in English on which the names of your parents are stated
Questions regarding your visa application
If you have questions about your visa or residence permit application, please turn to your host university or the embassy of your host country.
Fee-paying (non-EU/EEA students)
If you are a fee-paying student at LTH and have a Swedish residence permit for studies, you should read up on the migration guidelines in connection with exchange studies and follow the steps that need to be completed as early on as possible.
Guidelines on migration in Sweden (PDF)
If you are a fee-paying student, please contact Louise Corrigan-Konow, International Migration Coordinator at Lund University, before you leave for your exchange semester, to make sure that you are on top of the situation. E-mail: migration@er.lu.se.
If you are nominated for an exchange period you are automatically covered by the Student OUT-insurance through Lund University. The insurance is free of charge, and valid from two weeks before your exchange studies start until two weeks after they are completed. The dates are specified by the academic calendar at your host university.
Please note that the Student OUT-insurance is only valid in the country of your host university, and during your travels to and from that destination. If you want to go for a holiday in a neighbouring country you will need to purchase your own insurance.
Terms and conditions (Kammarkollegiet web page)
You can find your insurance certificate in SoleMove after nomination.
If you are a EU citizen you should also order your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and bring with your during your travels.
In case something happens during your exchange studies (you fall ill, are in an accident, get robbed etc) you can often be reimbursed by the insurance company. You can find the claim form and instructions on the insurance page.
Insurance page - master (LTH student web pages)
For urgent assistance during your exchange you can contact Falck Global Assistance. The contact information can be found on the insurance certificate.
If you have further questions you are welcome to turn to Cecilia Nilsson, international coordinator with insurance responsibility at LTH.
Email: cecilia.nilsson@lth.lu.se.
Budget plan
Going on exchange studies is an amazing opportunity, but it’s important to be prepared for potential additional costs. While you won’t need to pay tuition fees, you will have to cover travel expenses, accommodation, possible vaccinations, insurance, and visa fees. Some universities may also require specific language certificates, which can be quite costly.
Before submitting your application, we recommend that you make a budget plan. The cost of an exchange semester can vary depending on the destination. Some locations may involve extra expenses, while others may not. To gain a clearer overview of your expenses, create a personal budget and explore scholarship opportunities to help boost your financial resources. Information about costs can often be found in the partner universities' "Info Sheets" or "Fact Sheets".
Tips on how to budget effectively: Cost for a semester abroad | Lund University
Tuition fees
If you are a tuition-fee-paying student at LTH, you continue paying your tuition fee to Lund University during your exchange semester, but you don’t pay tuition fees to your host university. Even though you don’t pay any tuition fees, you may still be required to pay other fees to your host university. These fees can for example cover issuing of a student card, course material, or other administrative charges.
Scholarships and grands
- Scholarships for students currently studying at Lund University
- Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN)
Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEMP): Students who are nominated to go to Switzerland can apply for the Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEMP) offered by the Swiss government. Please note, that if you are also receiving support from the Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN), you are not be eligible to receive the SEMP scholarship.
Travel Reports
A great way of getting inspired is to read travel reports submitted by previous exchange students: Travel Reports database
Follow students abroad at lund_university_abroad
