Seven reasons to study abroad or take on an international internship
First Umeå – then the world! Most of our programmes allow studies abroad or an international internship as a part of your studies. Below are seven reasons as to why that is are really good idea.
- You will grow personally
When studying abroad or taking on an international internship, you will experience lots of new things that will help you grow as a person. - Excel in your language learning
Learn a whole new language or sharpen your skills in a language you have started learning. - Add to your CV
You will improve your communication skills through your exchange, which are desirable skills when applying for jobs. - You can apply for a scholarship
Certain exchange programmes and international intenrship offer scholarships. Learn about scholarships - You can still use student finance
You will not pay tuition fees at the university abroad, and if you are eligible for Swedish student finance, you can use it abroad too. Learn about student grants and loans for studies outside Sweden - You can apply for transfer of credits
If you study abroad or do an international internship as a part of your education, you can apply to get your credits included in your degree. Learn about transfer of credits - You will gain intercultural competence
You get to explore a new culture, meet new friends or establish contacts for your future career.
This is how it works
You can go on exchange studies and take courses at a university that Umeå University has an agreement with, do an internship, or field studies and collect material for an essay as part of your education. You can also apply for studies abroad on your own to universities and colleges in other countries, as a so-called freemover. Below you can read about the different options and links to find more information.
Study as an exchange student
As an exchange student, you study abroad as part of your education at Umeå University. You then study courses at one of our partner universities and can then apply for a transfer of credit, which means that what you have learned abroad is included in the education you study here in Umeå. A partner university is a university abroad with which we have agreed to "exchange students".
Where can you go?
Umeå University has exchange agreements with universities all over the world. Which countries and universities you can go to depends on what you study here in Umeå. An exchange can be anything from 5 days to one or two semesters.
You will find all of Umeå University's exchange agreements in the Solemove database. There you can, for example, search for a specific country or exchange program.
Please note that it may vary between different semesters which universities you can apply to. You can see which universities it is possible to apply to in Solemove when the application round opens.
When can you go?
Which semester to go abroad depends on what you are studying. Check with your study advisor or international contact person what suits you best.
When should you apply?
To be able to go on an exchange, you need to apply for this. The application deadline varies depending on where you want to go and what type of agreement it is. It is common to apply as far as almost a year before the exchange studies.
More information about exchange studies
Internship, field studies or degree project abroad
As a student at Umeå University, you may have an opportunity to do an internship abroad. In some cases, the internship can be part of your university education. In other cases, you can apply for the internship only after, or in connection with, the end of your studies.
Through various internship programmes, it is possible to receive financial support for some time abroad. The range varies depending on what you are studying, how far you have come in your studies and what you want to do. Some internship programmes offer paid internships, while others offer the opportunity to apply for a scholarship for an unpaid internship.
It may also be possible to collect material for your essay, project work or degree project abroad, for example via so-called Minor Field Studies (MFS).
Read more about internships, field studies and degree work abroad
Organise studies on your own, freemover
Do you want to go to a university with which we do not have an exchange agreement? Then you can choose to arrange your studies abroad on your own and not as an exchange student. You go as a so-called freemover and have to arrange all practical matters by yourself.
