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New student

Welcome to the University of Gothenburg! Starting uni studies is an adventure and there is a lot of information to take in. On this page you will find information to help you get started with your studies.

What you need to do as a new student

This is general information. Keep in mind that there may be things specific to your department that you must also arrange at the start of the term. You can always ask Servicecenter, your department (which you'll find on My studies) or the staff at Welcome Services if you have any questions!

  • Access your student account

    All students at the University of Gothenburg have a student account. You will use your student account throughout your time as a student for access to systems and resources at the University.

    The autumn semester 2023, you can activate your student account from August 10. For courses that start in the summer, there is no fixed date for activation, but you will always have access to your student account in time for registration.

    The student account is used to log in to the Student Portal, the learning management system Canvas and the study documentation system Ladok. You will also need a student account to access your student email, to order a GU card and to use the university's wifi eduroam.

    How to activate your student account

    About Chalmers ID (CID)

    If your education is co-organized with Chalmers, you might also need a Chalmers ID (CID). In that case, you will receive information from your education.

  • Register for course or programme

    You need to register for your course in order to keep your spot on the course, and to be able to participate in the studies.

    It is only when you are registered that you become a student at the University of Gothenburg and can participate in classroom activities. Registration is also needed to to renew your GU card, to attend Canvas course rooms and to take exams.

    The registration process for international students can differ between different departments. At some departments you can register online by yourself via the study documentation system Ladok. Contact your department if you have not received any information about when and how to register.

    How to register for courses online via Ladok

  • Check your schedule and when your education starts

    Students should have access to their schedule no later than two weeks before the start of the course. You can search for your schedule in the university booking system, TimeEdit.

    Note that schedules in Time Edit can be changed up to two weeks before the start of the course.

    Schedule

    Where will you be on your first day?

    The University of Gothenburg does not have a single campus, but is located in several locations in Gothenburg. This means that you have access to study places all over the city! Where you spend most of your time, however, depends on where your education takes place.

    Our campuses and buildings

  • Find your syllabus and reading list

    Each course has a course syllabus with information about requirements, learning outcomes, content, instruction and assessment. Course syllabus must be provided at least two weeks before the start of the course.

    There is also a reading list for each course, which must be available no later than eight weeks before each course.

    Before new courses, many course managers send out e-mails with information about where to find the course's reading list, but you can also search for information on the web. Most departments publish reading lists together with the course syllabus in a searchable database.

    Find syllabus and reading list (gu.se)

  • Log in to the learning management system Canvas

    The University of Gothenburg uses the web-based learning management system Canvas. In Canvas you will find information about your courses, such as lecture materials, assignments, assessments / results of the course assignments and other relevant information about your course.

    You must be registered on a course to gain full access to Canvas, but you can log on as soon as you have activated your student account. Canvas is also available for download as a mobile app.

    Canvas learning management system

  • Order your GU card

    The GU card is the university's multifunction card. It works as an access card, library card at the University Library and as a printing and copying card.

    To be able to order a GU card, you need an active student account at the University of Gothenburg. As a rule, you who study at a distance do not need to obtain a GU card.

    Read more and order your GU card

    Access to Chalmers

    If you study a course where you will be in Chalmers' premises, you will not automatically gain access through your GU card. Those responsible for your education will give you information on how to proceed.

     

  • Log in to your student email

    All students at the University of Gothenburg gets a  email account via Microsoft Outlook. Your student email is created automatically when you activate your student account. The email is the same as your student account, followed by @student.gu.se (gus•••••@student.gu.se).

    It is important that you monitor the student email, since mailings from the university sometimes are made directly to your student email:

    • An easy way to monitor your student email is via the Outlook app that you can download to your phone. By activating notifications, you won't miss any important mailings.
    • An alternative is to forward the student email to another inbox.

    On the page Email, calendar, documents and storage, you can read about how to log in to your student email and how to easily monitor the student email. 

  • Let us know how you want us to contact you

    We don't want you to miss important information from the University! Therefore it is important that your contact details are updated in all systems and that you read your student email.

    • In Ladok, you specify the email you want to be contacted at and can add a phone number. We recommend that you enter a phone number in Ladok where we can reach you in the event of a crisis. Change contact information in Ladok.
    • Your student email can be easily monitored via the Outlook app. An alternative is to forward the student email to another inbox. Instructions can be found on the page E-mail, calendar, documents and storage.
    • In Canvas, your student email is preset as the default email address. Here, communication takes place primarily directly in the learning platform and not via e-mail, but there are different settings for receiving notices from the learning platform via e-mail. About Canvas learning platform.

     

  • Apply for a personal identity number or contact the Swedish Tax Agency

    Students studying for more than 365 days

    Students who are planning to study in Sweden for one year or more must be registered in the Swedish population register. Once registered, you will be issued a personal identity number ("personnummer"). This number will simplify a whole range of transactions in the Swedish society, such as acquiring an identity card, opening a bank account or visiting a doctor.

    Students studying in Sweden less than a year

    It is the length of the study period rather than the time you live in Sweden that decides if you shall be registered and socially insured in Sweden or not. If the length of your studies are 366 days or more you can apply at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) to become registered.

    How to apply

    You can hand in your application for a personal identity number at the Tax Agency's office located at Östra Hamngatan 16. If you are a student at Campus Steneby you can hand in your application at the Tax Agency's office located at Södra Långgatan 12-14, Åmål.

    Skatteverket has produced a film about moving to Sweden

    European students must bring their EHIC card, or purchase a comprehensive health insurance in order to register with the Swedish Tax Agency. Read more about Comprehensive health insurance in Skatteverket.se. Students who have paid tuition will not have to provide documents of health insurance since your tuition fees includes such an insurance.

    Notify Servicecenter your personal identity number

    Once you receive your personal identity number, contact servicecenter to replace the temporary identification number in the University's system. This will help you avoid future administrative problems.

    More information

    Skatteverket: Moving to Sweden (Swedish Tax Agency website)

    Study in Sweden: How to apply for a Swedish personal identity number & ID

New in Sweden?

Practical information about being new in Gothenburg and Sweden: 

Welcome Services information on gu.se

Welcome activities and student unions

International Student Welcome Programme

The International Student Welcome Programme is held at the beginning of each semester. The programme of events and activities provides international students with practical information about the University and living in Gothenburg. It is also a perfect opportunity to meet other international students and Student Buddies from all over the world.

Introduction Days (gu.se)

Welcome activities hosted by student unions

At the University of Gothenburg, there are four student unions, all of which organize various welcome activities. Which union you belong to depends on what you are going to study.

Your student union is also on your side throughout your studies, protecting your interests both in and outside the lecture halls. Check out your student unions website for more information!

Find your student union at the University of Gothenburg

Page Manager: Student Portal|Last update: 12/12/2022
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This page is printed from the following webpage:
https://studentportalen.gu.se/english/new-student/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true
Print date: 2023-06-09

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