Umeå University Spring Exchange

To view available courses, go to the UMU short-term exchange website and scroll down to the "May-June" section.

In 2027, there will be approx. 10 courses offered spanning the social sciences/humanities and business fields. Many of the courses are aimed at understanding Swedish or northern European culture (for example, "Journalism in Sweden", "Democracy & Human Rights", "Swedish Art & Architecture", "Sami and Old Norse Religion", etc.). 

Students may only attend 1 course on this program. As all of the offered courses are worth 7.5 ECTS (European credits), this means you will earn credit for 3 units at UCalgary (1 standard course equivalent). Please talk to your academic advisor to determine how the course will count towards your degree.

When submitting your application to UCalgary, you will be asked to list your top 3 courses. Important: Course placement is not guaranteed and is ultimately at the discretion of UMU. There are limited seats available and a risk that you may not be placed in your desired course. The reason that we ask for your top 3 is to ensure that the students approved by UCalgary to move ahead with this exchange are not competing against each other for course placement.

The short-term spring exchange at UMU is approximately 5 weeks long, from May to June. 

Umeå University also offers semester programs. It is potentially possible to combine the short-term exchange with a semester exchange; contact the UCalgary exchange advisor for details. 

Students attending the UMU short-term spring exchange are welcome to apply for housing at one of the university residences (all located in walking distance of campus). The residences are corridor-style; each student receives a private bedroom on a hallway with up to ten other students and a shared kitchen. Generally, each student has a private bathroom as well, although it may depend on the residence structure. The approximate monthly cost is 3,000 SEK.

Housing is not guaranteed for exchange students, so UMU recommends applying as soon as you have been offered placement for the exchange. They also provide some guidance should you need to search for a private rental. For more info, view the Housing page.

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Do I have to speak Swedish?

No prior knowledge of Swedish is required, as all of the short-term exchange courses are taught in English! Furthermore, English is a compulsory language taught to schoolchildren from age 9 and is fairly well-spoken by most Swedes, so it's a minimal barrier to daily life.

What resources are available to new students?

UMU's International Office arranges a fantastic Buddy Programme for exchang students. This is a great way to meet more Swedes and discover the local pattern of life! Check out these videos about the Buddy Program: Trailer & What is the Buddy Program?

Student Tips: "The best decision I made during my exchange was to join the buddy program. The buddy program coordinated all sorts of events like branboll and soccer tournaments between the buddy groups, while we (also) coordinated events within the group. We’d go out for Fika, have international potlucks, go blueberry picking, etc. There is a floating sauna on Nydala Lake. Once our group rented it and had a sauna and BBQ. Some of the best friends I have today I met through this group – it was a great way to meet Swedes and other international students."

What supports or services are available?

UMU's Disability Services provides comprehensive academic support for students with disabilities. 

For information on accessibility and support services at campuses across Europe, please check out Inclusive Mobility. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.

With a strong culture of inclusivity, Sweden is also considered one of the most welcoming destinations for LGBTQ+ travellers! Read a blog from an international student in Sweden, or watch the accompanying video, which features several queer-identified students talking about their experience.

What's special about Umeå?

Being far up North doesn't mean that it's "always winter"; Umeå undergoes distinct seasonal change. Be it skiing, showshoes, dogsleds, or ice-fishing, the abundant mountains and rivers provide something for everyone, with a relaxing sauna at the end of the day. As spring nears, watch the colours of the Aurora Borealis dance over the city. Experience the drastic shift in daylight from four hours in the winter to twenty in the summer - and experience it even further with a trip upwards into Lapland and the Midnight Sun. Check out VisitUmea.se for things to do like free city tours, and other events. 

Student Tips: "The city was pretty similar to Calgary in terms of climate, however a good pair of winter boots is highly necessary. [Umea] is a smaller city than Calgary, and the transport system is even easier to navigate. There are several places in town that individuals should consider visiting: Nydala Lake, Vasaplan, Bildmuseet, Vasterbotten Museum and the Guitars museum. There was not a place in the city that I found the need to avoid, the city in general is very peaceful and friendly."

IKSU Sport, the largest fitness and athletic facility in Europe, offers a spacious and modern fitness centre, rock climbing facilities, several gymnasiums and a squash and floorball centre, swimming pools, beach volleyball courts, and a wide variety of group training classes. Through their outdoor and alpine sections they also offer a variety of affordable excursions and ski trips. 

Student Tips: "I have never skied before because back home [in Canada] it’s expensive and hard to access. In Umeå you have Fritidsbanken where I can rent skis for free and then walk 10 minutes to the forest and go skiing."