Incoming traineeship/internship

Erasmus+ traineeships (SMT)

Students enrolled at a university within the EU/EEA who plan to apply for an Erasmus+ traineeship scholarship must obtain approval from the Erasmus+ coordinator at their home institution. An inter-institutional agreement between SLU and the home university is not required for the student to be eligible.

The Erasmus+ traineeship learning agreement must be signed by:

• the student;
• the sending institution (home university);
• the receiving institution (a supervisor or other authorised representative at the SLU department).

SLU’ mobility team does not sign the learning agreement. However, supervisors may contact the mobility team for administrative guidance on completing the document correctly. SLU’s Erasmus code is S UPPSALA02.

Trainees are not registered for courses at SLU but are granted access to university facilities through an access card. The designated supervisor or contact person at the department bears full responsibility for the trainee during the traineeship period.

Under European Commission regulations, Erasmus+ trainees may not take university courses while completing their traineeship.

There are two ways to do your thesis at SLU.

1. Through a study exchange

The student must first be nominated by their home university. Following nomination, the student must contact the SLU mobility team and secure a suitable supervisor at SLU.

Exchange students are registered for a thesis course at SLU:

• 30 ECTS at Master’s level
• 15 ECTS at Bachelor’s level

Under this option, the student has their principal supervisor at SLU and must defend their thesis here. Following the exchange period, the student must request transfer of the credits obtained at SLU to their home university.

2. Within the framework of a traineeship

Alternatively, a student may undertake thesis work at SLU as part of a traineeship while remaining registered for a thesis course at their home university.

In this case:

• The principal supervisor remains at the home university.
• A co-supervisor is appointed at SLU.
• No credits are awarded by SLU.

This option is often administratively simpler as no credit transfer is required; the thesis is submitted and defended at the home university.

Students should consult their home institution’s Erasmus+ coordinator to determine if they are eligible for an Erasmus+ scholarship for this option.

International students are welcome to apply for a traineeship at SLU without Erasmus+ funding or approval. The procedure is largely similar to that for Erasmus+ trainees, though a learning agreement may not be required.

Traineeships at SLU are generally unpaid. Students should contact departments directly to enquire if any funded opportunities are available.

Please note that the SLU mobility team does not provide centrally administered scholarships.

All incoming trainees at SLU (both Erasmus+ and non-Erasmus+) are covered by Kammarkollegiet insurance policy for foreign visitors.

·       Coverage: This provides 24-hour coverage within Sweden for accidents or emergency medical care, including liability coverage. Further information about the policy and its terms and conditions.

·       Additional Erasmus’ cover: If you hold an Erasmus+ scholarship, you may also be insured through your home university. Please confirm this with your Erasmus+ coordinator.

·       EU/EEA and Swiss citizens:  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country before arriving. The EHIC entitles you to healthcare on the same terms and cost as Swedish residents.

Students undertaking an Erasmus+ traineeship are eligible to apply for SLU accommodation; however, availability cannot be guaranteed.

To enquire about availability, please email housing@slu.se with the following documents attached:

• Your invitation letter from the SLU department.
• Your Erasmus+ learning agreement.

Read about our three main campuses and accommodation options.

Please note that in Sweden, accommodation is often rented by the calendar month. You may be required to pay for a full month even if your stay ends mid-month.

If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country, you will likely need a residence permit. Please check this list:
Countries whose citizens need an entry visa for travel to Sweden.

Documentation

You must request a signed invitation letter from your SLU supervisor/contact for your application. This letter must explicitly state that you are insured during your traineeship. If this information is missing, please ask your supervisor to add it. If applicable, the learning agreement should also be included in your application.

Application process

Applications are processed by the Migration Agency. SLU cannot communicate directly with the Migration Agency regarding individual cases; all correspondence must be between the trainee and the agency.

If you are an unpaid trainee (an Erasmus+ scholarship is not considered a salary), you must apply as a visitor.

• Stays under 90 days: You must apply for a Schengen visa. If you already hold a residence permit for another Schengen country, you may be exempt. Please verify this with the Migration Agency.
• Stays over 90 days: You must apply for a visitor’s residence permit. Processing times can exceed 2–3 months, so we strongly advise applying as early as possible with all required documentation.

These permits do not allow for paid employment in Sweden.

If you are receiving a salary for your internship, you must apply through this site at the Migration Agency’s website.

If you are a researcher or doctoral student, please see the Migration Agency’s pages for researchers and doctoral students.

Trainees at Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral level (excluding postdocs) may be eligible for a Mecenat student discount card. This digital card is accessed via a mobile app and provides discounts on public transport and various other services.

Travel with SJ: For the main Swedish train operator, the ISIC card may also be accepted. However, ISIC is often not valid on Swedish buses. We advise you to check the respective bus company website for confirmation.

Do not travel using discounted student tickets until you have received your Mecenat card or verified that your ISIC card is accepted. Otherwise, your ticket will be invalid and you may be fined.

How to apply

Applications for Mecenat are submitted online. In the description field, please state that you are an ‘incoming international student trainee’ and attach the following:

• Your SLU invitation letter from SLU.
• Your learning agreement (if applicable).

Mecenat will provide a temporary personal identity number, which you can use to join one of SLU’s students’ unions. These unions organise a wide range of social events and activities.

Erasmus+ students: You can also join ESN (Erasmus Student Network), which is active in Uppsala, Lund and Malmö among other cities.

Campus Ultuna, Uppsala: You may use your Mecenat card to join the student nations, which host numerous social events, or access the Campus1477 , an exercise and sports centre.

If your traineeship begins at the start of a semester, you are welcome to participate in the orientation programme for incoming exchange students, typically held in late August for the autumn semester or mid January for the spring semester. Please contact the mobility team to be added to the guest list.

Sweden has a relatively high cost of living, and we recommend that you plan your finances carefully. You can find useful information regarding living expenses and average student budgets at Study in Sweden.

SLU has campuses across Sweden, with the three main locations in Uppsala (Ultuna), Alnarp (Malmö/Lomma) and Umeå. Read more about the campuses, view campus maps and get directions.

The SLU mobility team only accepts clinical practice applications from partner universities.

Clinical practice placements are normally available from mid-June to mid-August.

If SLU has an exchange agreement with your home university, you may apply as an exchange student. Read more about applying for clinical practice as an exchange student.