Checklist for new students at the start of the semester
Before your arrival
Your offer
Tuition fee paying students / freemovers (full-time students)
If you have applied for studies in the First Round with the application deadlines 15 January or 15 August, you are not required to reply to your Notification of selection results if you have been admitted.
If you have applied to Umeå University for studies in the Second Round with the application deadlines 15 April or 15 October, you must reply to your Notification of selection results at universityadmissions.se to keep your place in the course or programme.
- Log in to 'My pages' on the University Admissions website
- Go to 'Applications', and follow the instructions.
- You should click the 'Yes' box for the alternatives that you'd like to keep and 'No' for the ones you don't wish to keep.
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.
Read the FAQs about admissions results
Exchange students
Exchange students do not reply to ther offer on University Admissions.
Declining your offer
If you decide not to attend the course/programme you've been offered a place in, please be sure to decline your offer.
- Log in to your account at 'My pages' on the University Admissions website
- Go to 'Applications' and follow the instructions.
- You should click "I wish to decline this offer" next to the course or programme you want to decline.
It's important to decline your offer as soon as you know you will not be attending. This makes the place available for students on the waiting list.
More information about admissions and results can be found on the University Admissions website.
Plan your accommodation
The Umeå University Accommodation Service offers student housing assistance to:
- exchange students (students who have been nominated through an exchange agreement with Umeå University)
- full-degree students that are citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
If you are a student who doesn't qualify for student housing through the university's Accommodation Service, or you seek something else than a single occupancy room, you are highly recommended to register at the municipal housing website as soon as possible.
Tips for securing a place to stay
Pay your rent (Umeå University Accommodation Service)
For those of you who have secured housing through the university’s Accommodation Service, it is important that you pay your first rent installment before you arrive in Umeå. You will not be able to pick up your keys until the rent is paid.
Pay the first tuition fee instalment
For citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, who are not exchange students, you will receive information from Umeå University regarding payment of the first instalment of your tuition fees. You should pay these fees as soon as possible. You won't be able to have your residency permit for studies approved until you've done so.
Apply for a residence permit in Sweden
Citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland have to apply for a residence permit if they are planning on studying in Sweden for longer than three months.
Very Important! Once you have paid the first instalment of your tuition fee, you should immediately apply for your residence permit.
Complete information about residence permits can be found on the Swedish Migration Agency's website.
Sign up for the Buddy Programme
The Buddy Programme is a multicultural community engaging hundreds of international and domestic students. The programme offers the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of social activities, and to explore Swedish traditions.
Sign up for the Buddy Programme
Travel directions to Umeå University
Umeå is easily accessible via plane, railway, bus, car, and also ferry. On the university's website you will find suggestions for transport to and within Umeå, as well as maps to help you find the right place on campus.
Maps and transportation to Umeå University
Experience Campus Umeå in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Upon arrival
Recommended Arrival Day (Spring 2025)
The recommended Arrival Day for Autumn 2025 is Sunday the 19th of January. We will be welcoming new students, and will be handing out keys to those of you renting through the university’s Accommodation Service.
It is important you fill out the form you received from the Accommodation Service so that we can plan the day accordingly.
More information can be found on the Arrival webpage
Attend the Orientation
The Orientation consists of a series of lectures and activities that are designed to help you become acquainted with life in Umeå and studies at our university. It also offers a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
Find your welcome letter/schedule
The welcome letter contains important information to know as a newly admitted student.
The welcome letters are published on the respective programme or course page.
Find your welcome letter
If you are an exchange student, check the course catalogue for exchange students.
Activate your UMU-id (user account) and MFA
UMU-id is your user account. MFA increases your digital security.
As a student at Umeå University, you must have an UMU-id to use, for example, our wireless networks, the learning platforms, and manage information and personal services that apply to your studies.
You will need an UMU-id when you are going to:
- register for courses
- submit exams, assignments or see your results
- check your student email
- get your UMU card
- use computers in computer rooms and the university's Wi-Fi.
To get access to your UMU-id, you need to activate it. You can do this approximately one week before the start of the semester, but often it can be done earlier than that.
MFA, or multi-factor authentication as it is called, reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your information or account. As a new student, you need to activate MFA to be able to log into various systems, for example the learning platform Canvas and the student web.
I want to activate my UMU-id and MFA
If you experience problems with activating your UMU-id or MFA, please contact the IT support at the Servicedesk and you will get help.
Contact Servicedesk
Register for the course or programme
You must register for the course or programme you are admitted to. The registration is needed for you to be allowed to follow the course or programme and to get your results recorded during the course. If you have not registered in due time according to the instructions you receive from the department or programme, you may lose your place.
Registration takes place at the start of the course. For some courses and programmes, online registration is being used. If so, you will need to have activated your UMU-id (user account). For other courses and programmes, you may need to show up at a certain place and time in order to be registered.
You will find information about what applies for your particular course or programme in the welcome letter. The welcome letter may be displayed at the course or programme web page or otherwise distributed to you via regular or e-mail.
Get the UMU card
When you are studying on one of our campuses, you will need an UMU card.
The UMU card is personal and functions as your:
- access card
- copying and printing card
- borrowing card for the University library.
To receive an Umu card, you will need to apply for one via the Umu card portal. This can only be done after you have received a UMU-id, which will be sent a couple of weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Course literature
Most courses include a list of literature to be read. Student text books are available in a limited number in the Umeå University Library. If you have activated your UMU card, it works as a library card. If a book is on loan you can make a request if you want to borrow it.
First day of classes
The Spring semester 2025 officially begins on Monday 20 January and ends Sunday 8 June. We wish you the best of luck at Umeå University!
Experience Campus Umeå in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
We support you throughout your studies
When you are a student with us, there is a wide range of resources and assistance to ensure that you make your study time as good as possible.
Studying with a disability
You can receive support if you have a disability such as dyslexia, ADHD or impaired vision. The purpose with the support is that you should be able to study on equal terms.
Learn more about common support measures and how to apply for support.
Academic writing and study techniques
Now that you are studying, you will be writing independent work. You will search for information and need to read large amounts of text. The University Library will support you throughout your studies. You can borrow books, study and search for articles in databases, but you can also learn study techniques, academic writing and information searching. You can also book their group rooms and get access to reading and writing support.
Discover how you can use the University Library
Microsoft 365, WiFi and Zoom
When you study at Umeå University, you have free access to several different IT services and software. These include Microsoft 365, WiFi on campus, the Canvas learning platform, e-mail, Zoom and other useful services. Here you will also find support and help when something in your digital environment goes wrong.
Student Health Service - tips for your well-being
We want you to feel good during your studies. Both physically and mentally. You are always welcome to contact Student Health Service if you feel stressed, worried or depressed. Perhaps you have questions about relationships, difficulty sleeping or feel that you are procrastinating which leads to problems.
Contact Student Health Service when needed and choose whether you want to meet on site, by phone or video visit. The Student Health Service has experienced counselors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and public health scientists. They all have a duty of confidentiality and it is free.
Tips for your well-being during your studies
Infocenter is here to help
Infocenter will help you through your first weeks as a new student. Here you can pick up your UMU card, get help with your UMU ID or find your way around the campus. Perhaps you need to quickly talk to a study counsellor? And if they don't have an immediate answer, they will know where and how to guide you further. Just get in touch if something goes wrong.
Infocenter is found in the Universum Building in the middle of Campus Umeå.
Frequently asked questions for new students
Get answers to questions about studies, admission, notification of selection results, accommodation, the UMU ID user account, and much more.
Find your way around campus
Download Mazemap and you will find your way everywhere on campus. Why waste time getting lost?
How the student website works
What can you find on the student web and how do you get the best experience?
Experience Umeå
Are you about to choose Umeå as your new home town, or have you already moved here? Book time for other things than studying and experience the city. Welcome to Umeå!
Umeå map for students
Find residential areas, student flats, leisure activities, bus stops and more in Umeå. (Site in Swedish).
Visit Umeå
Visit Umeå has great tips on what to see and experience in the city.
11 unexpected things waiting for you in Umeå
We think you are going to be plesantly surprised by all the Umeå has to offer.
Best place to live in Sweden
Umeå was ranked first of 290 municaplities in Sweden as the best places to live.
