Things to organize for your studies
1. Your offer
Exchange students
Exchange students do not reply to their offer on University Admissions.
Tuition fee paying students / freemovers (full-time students)
1. If you have applied for studies in the first/international admission 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.
2. If you have applied to Umeå University for studies in the second admission 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 on the course or programme.
- Log into "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 would like to keep and "No" for the ones you do not wish to keep.
If you see "Reserve" next to your course or programme in the Notification of Selection Results, this means that you have been placed on a waiting list for that course or programme.
Read the FAQs about admissions results
Declining your offer
If you decide not to attend the course/programme you have 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 is 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.
2. Pay the first tuition fee instalment (for tuition-fee students)
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 will not be able to have your residency permit for studies approved until you have done so.
3. Find your welcome information/schedule
The welcome information contains important information to know as a newly admitted student.
The welcome information is published on the respective programme or course page.
We are currently updating the system for our welcome information. As a result, it may be located in different places depending on which admission round you were admitted in. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
For exchange students
For students that applied in the international admission round (15 October-15 January)
For students that applied in the second admission round for EU/EEA citizens (15 March-15 April)
4. 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; and
- 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 unauthorised 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 Servicedesk IT support and you will get help.
5. Register for the course or programme
Keep your place and register on time. 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 registered in the study documentation system Ladok. The registration procedure can vary. For some programmes/courses, you register on site during your first class. For others, you register online before the course starts, and you usually need to have activated your UMU ID (user account). If you do not register in time, you may unfortunately lose your place.
Make sure to check what applies to your specific programme or course. Everything can be found in your welcome information.
6. 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 activated your UMU ID user account, which will be sent a couple of weeks prior to the start of the semester.
7. 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.
Read about the University Library's services
8. First day of classes
The autumn semester 2025 officially begins on Monday, 1 September and ends on Sunday, 18 January 2026. We wish you the best of luck at Umeå University!
Experience Campus Umeå in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Things to organize for travelling to and living in Sweden
1. 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 (not applicable for exchange students), you should immediately apply for your residence permit.
Complete information about residence permits can be found on the Swedish Migration Agency's website.
2. 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); and
- 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 does not 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
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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
6. Recommended arrival day (Autumn semester 2025)
The recommended arrival day for autumn semester 2025 is 25 and 26 August. 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 that you fill out the form you receive from the Accommodation Service so that we can plan the day accordingly.
Attend the Orientation
The Orientation is to help you become acquainted with life in Umeå and studies at our university.
Sign up for the Buddy Programme
A multicultural community engaging hundreds of international and domestic students in various activities.
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 can get support if you need it.
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
The student website - an important source of information
The student website is where much of the information you need during your time as a student, is located. When you log in, you will automatically see your schedule on the start page. On many pages you will find information from the courses or programme you are taking. You will also find other information you might need to know, such as how to prepare when you are about to write exams or theses, IT support, the Student Health Service, study counselling, exchange studies and how to book group rooms.
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, email, 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 the Student Health Service if you feel stressed, worried or depressed. Perhaps you have questions about relationships, difficulties sleeping or feel that you are procrastinating too much.
Contact the Student Health Service when needed and choose whether you want to meet onsite, by phone or video call. The Student Health Service has experienced counsellors, nurses, physiotherapists and psychologists. They all have a duty of confidentiality and their services are free of charge.
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 campus. Perhaps you need to quickly talk to a study counsellor? And if they do not 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 pleasantly surprised by all that Umeå has to offer.
Best place to live in Sweden
Umeå was ranked first of 290 municipalities in Sweden as the best place to live.
