WELCOME TO
We wish you a warm welcome as a program student at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE)! In this welcome letter, you will find important information that you need before the start of the program.
You have been admitted. If you want to keep your place (seat), you do not have to reply to your offer.
If you do not want to keep your place you should decline your offer by logging in to 'My pages' on universityadmissions.se, and follow the instructions. You should click "I wish to decline this offer" next to the course or programme you want to decline.
If you see "Reserve" next to your course or programme in the Notification of selection results, this means that you've been placed on a waiting list for that course/programme.
If you are in need of special support due to disability, you should apply for that in good time before you start your studies. Find more information about support for studying with disabilities.
As a new student, you need to activate your user account (your Umu-id) approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
With your user account you can:
If you are a new student, you will automatically receive a user account when you are admitted, but you will need to activate it for it to function properly. You will not be able to activate it until approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Install MFA for a more secure login
To increase security and reduce the risk of unauthorised access to your information or account, students must enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to log in to various systems, such as Canvas and the Student Web.
I want to activate my user account and install MFA
If you are an exchange student or tuition fee paying student, you will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your account.
If you are having problems activating your account or logging in, please contact our Servicedesk. You will find answers to common questions, and can submit enquiries.
When: 1 September
Registration to the programme and your first two courses takes place on campus during your first lecture.
If you for any reason can't attend the first lecture, it's important to inform us. Otherwise, you risk losing your seat in the program.
The deadline for late arrival is Monday 8 September, 16:30 (4:30 p.m.)
If you arrive later you will no longer have a seat in the program and will have to return home. If you fear that you will face some delay, contact your Programme Advisor: ibep.usbe@umu.se
1 September 2025
Time: Accordning to schedule
Location: According to schedule
* Exact dates, times, locations and contact information will be added later *
You are recommended to arrive at least one week before lectures start so that you can participate in all the introductory activities.
The International Office at Umeå University will arrange an Orientation Course for international students starting with a digital webinar plus a physical meeting in Aula Nordica on campus Umeå.
It is recommended that all international students attend it.
The schedule for that will be found here.
Every year, the student association HHUS hosts a kick-off event called "Insparken". "Insparken" is a great opportunity for you to get to know other students, learn your way around Umeå and the university and above all, have fun! The event is optional but recommended.
The "Insparken" schedule, prices to participate and more information will be available on HHUS website.
If you want to participate in "Insparken" but cannot be there on the first day, please inform the leaders directly.
The first courses you’ll be taking are Markets, trade and global challenges and International Business Administration and Global Challenges. Each course is 7.5 credits and run in parallel. They introduce you to international business administration and international economics. Schedules for the courses will be finalized no later than the August 7 at the website mentioned above.
Here starts your journey towards an international career in companies, organizations, or the public sector. The program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to work with most demanding business issues. Are you interested in working across national and cultural borders, this is the program for you!
The program gives you a comprehensive understanding of global challenges and how international companies as well as global economy function. During your studies you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to work in a complex, cross-border, multicultural environment. You will also develop competences needed to cope with technical innovations.
During your studies, you have the chance to study abroad, gaining valuable experiences and a potential competitive edge in the job market. Umeå University offers over 300 exchange programs in 40 different countries, so the world is open to you.
The program also provides the opportunity to undertake internships, giving you practical experience and a chance to build professional connections.
Our educational programs are closely linked to research and industry, placing your learning at the heart of our teaching. We hold an international quality accreditation and emphasize sustainability issues. At our institution, you will gain a strong foundation as an economist and have the opportunity to specialize in various fields. Throughout your time with us, you will be well-prepared for the future, and our graduates are highly sought after in the job market.
Umeå is a fantastic place to study! With around 37,000 students, the city is young, dynamic, and full of cultural and social opportunities. From large sports facilities like IKSU to cozy cafés and a wide range of student organizations – everything you need is here.
Nature is always close by, offering year-round outdoor activities. The city's excellent transportation links, including both flights and trains, make it easy to travel to and from Umeå. Within the city, you can quickly cycle between your accommodation, campus, and the city center, giving you more time to experience all that Umeå has to offer.
If you have any questions in preperation for the programme you are welcome to contact us. Send an email to IBEP.usbe@umu.se and we will get back to you.
During summer a program student will call admitted program students to answer questions you may have. As an active student they can answer questions on how it is to be a student at the programme, student life in Umeå and the Inspark.
Student financial aid / Studiemedel (CSN)
Always apply for student financial aid for two terms at once, starting with the autumn semester! Hence, apply for the period from 1 September 2025 to 7 June 2026. If you have any questions regarding student financial aid, contact CSN directly.
The right to Swedish student finance for foreign citizens
Umeå University Student Website
The student website at Umeå University provides essential information that will be beneficial both before and during your studies. Here, you can access schedules, Ladok (for course registration and exam sign-ups), Canvas, and Microsoft 365.
Click here for the Student Website
Canvas Learning Platform
Canvas is the university's learning platform and the site you will likely use the most during your studies. Here, you can access course content, communicate with instructors, and submit assignments. Typically, each individual module of a course has its own Canvas page, which you will have access to by the start of the module.
Click here for more information about Canvas
Syllabus with course litterature
The course syllabus describes, among other things, what a course is about, the requirements for eligibility, what you are expected to know upon completing the course (ELO), and how you will be examined.
The course syllabus also includes information about the required course literature. During your studies, you will take many courses, and the easiest way to find a course syllabus is through the Syllabus Search tool by entering either the course name or course code.
Your first courses this semester will be,
Markets, trade and global challenges (Course code: 2EC101)
International Business Administration and Global Challenges (Course code: 2BA107)
Click here for the Syllabus Search
MazeMap - Finding Your Way on Campus
As a newcomer to the university, it can be challenging to navigate the campus before you become familiar with it. To assist you, there's the digital map MazeMap, where you can easily search for rooms you can't find.
Checklist for admitted students
Follow this simple list of things to complete your enrolment at Umeå University. It includes: how to secure housing, getting a residence permit (for citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), tuition payment (if applicable), travel directions and more.
The Student web
The website for current students has all sorts of information about services, support, legal and practical matters at Umeå University. You can sign in to the learning platforms, see your schedule and course overview, get a study certificate, apply for a degree or sign up for an examination.
Recommended arrival times
International students are recommended to arrive at least a few days before the start of the regular semester, preferably prior to the Orientation. If you fail to arrive on time, you have to contact the study counselor as soon as possible, but no later than one week ahead of the course start, or you may not be able to register for the programme or course.
If you will have student housing through the Housing Office at Umeå University you will receive information about your arrival in your offer of housing.
Don't forget - Umeå has cold winters, so pack accordingly with a warm jacket, warm shoes, gloves and hat.
Orientation
Moving to a new country with an unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be a challenge. We would like to help you and ease that challenge so that you can focus on your studies. Therefore, we would like to offer you the possibility to take part in our Orientation, which begins a few days before the start of the semester (Autumn) or the same day as the semester starts (Spring).
Welcome Fair
Are you a new student at Umeå University? Visit the Welcome Fair – a perfect opportunity to learn what our university and Umeå can offer. The fair normally takes place in the beginning of each semester.
Get your UmU card
When you are on Campus Umeå, Umeå Arts Campus or Campus Örnsköldsvik, you will need a UmU card. The card has the following functions:
To get the card, you need to apply for it. Here’s how to apply for the UmU card.
Join a student union
There are three student unions at Umeå University:
They are actively involved so that fellow students have a high quality of education, good working environment, and fun leisure time.
Access to Microsoft Office 365
Students at Umeå University have free access to the programmes of Microsoft Office 365. This means that you have access to Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Whiteboard Forms, your student email and other services which can facilitate your studies and your collaboration with other students. To access Office 365 you need to activate your UmU-id.
Learn more about Office 365 and how to install it on your computer