We are pleased that you have chosen to spend an exchange semester or year at our university. Each year, we welcome approximately 600 incoming exchange students from around the world, and we are dedicated to ensuring that your time at Chalmers is both meaningful and fulfilling.
Practical information for new students
To help you prepare for your studies at Chalmers, we have gathered useful information and resources for incoming exchange students.
Fact sheet for incoming exchange students
As part of your admission information, you received our Fact Sheet for incoming exchange students. It contains important information about studying at Chalmers, including course selection, the academic calendar, schedules, and other practical matters.
We recommend reading the fact sheet carefully before your arrival, as it answers many common questions and includes useful links and resources
Before you arrive
Accommodation
Securing accommodation is one of the first things you should consider after being accepted for exchange studies at Chalmers. We recommend starting your housing search early, as demand for student accommodation in Gothenburg can be high.
To learn more about accommodation options and useful housing resources, visit Housing in Gothenburg.
Housing for non-European exchange students
Exchange students from partner universities outside Europe are guaranteed accommodation during their exchange studies at Chalmers. Further information about housing arrangements will be sent after admission.
Visa and residence permit
Depending on your nationality and the length of your stay, you may need a visa or residence permit to study in Sweden. Processing times can vary, so it is important to check the requirements and submit your application as early as possible.
Information about visas, residence permits and how to apply is available at The Swedish Migration Agency
Activate your Chalmers ID Account (CID)
Your Chalmers ID Account (CID) gives you access to important student services, including course registration, email, learning platforms and other digital resources.
Disability study support
At Chalmers, students with disabilities can apply for targeted study support to help them complete their studies on equal terms. The most common reasons for receiving support include dyslexia, neurodevelopmental disorders, and mental health conditions.
How to apply
To apply for support, you need to provide documentation of a permanent disability from a qualified healthcare professional. The documentation is uploaded in the NAIS system during the application process.
You can submit your application once you have received your CID.
What happens after you apply
After your application has been submitted, a coordinator for disability study support will contact you to arrange a meeting to discuss your needs and possible support measures.
Following this process, you will receive a notification in NAIS outlining:
Decisions on educational support, made by the coordinator
Recommendations for examinations and learning situations, made by the examiner
For full requirements and detailed guidance, please visit the Disability Study Support page or contact the coordinators via email at pedagogisktstod@chalmers.se
Your Learning Agreement (OLA or LA)
If your home university requires an Online Learning Agreement (OLA), we recommend waiting to create it until you have received your admission results and know which courses you have been admitted to at Chalmers.
Once your course selection has been confirmed and you have received your Chalmers ID Account (CID), the relevant International Coordinator at Chalmers International Mobility (CIM) can review and sign your OLA.
Typically, OLAs are signed:
From mid-June for autumn semester and full-year exchange students
From mid-December for spring semester exchange students
Course registration in Ladok
All admitted students must register for their courses each semester in Ladok, Chalmers’ online student system. Registration is done self-service and must be completed for each study period when it opens. Course registration opens approximately three weeks before the start of each semester or course and is only available for a limited period.
You can find exact dates in the academic calendar.
How to register
When registration opens, log in to Ladok using your CID and register for the courses you will take in the upcoming study period.
Make sure to complete your registration within the given timeframe, as late registration may not always be possible.
When you have arrived
Arrival Day on 21 August
On 21 August, members of CIRC will be at Göteborg Landvetter Airport throughout the day to welcome new exchange students.
CIRC will provide a free airport coach ticket to Gothenburg city centre and assist you with information about getting to your accommodation and Chalmers.
For more information about Arrival Day and to register for airport pick-up, visit the link below. Please note that if you arrive on another day, you will need to arrange your own transport from the airport to Gothenburg.
Read more and sign up for Arrival Day
Orientation Day – your official welcome to Chalmers
Orientation Day marks the start of your exchange studies at Chalmers. We strongly encourage all incoming exchange students to attend.
Autumn semester 2026
Date: 25 August 2026
Time: 08:15
Location: RunAn, Campus Johanneberg
Why attend?
Orientation Day is a great opportunity to meet other incoming exchange students, learn more about studying at Chalmers, get practical information before the semester begins and become familiar with student life in Gothenburg. Participation is voluntary but highly recommended.
Reception and Phadder groups
As part of the reception for new international students, you will be assigned to a Phadder group. Phadders are Chalmers students who help new students settle into university life and get to know Gothenburg.
The reception is organised by Chalmers in collaboration with CIRC (Chalmers International Reception Committee). Chalmers arranges receptions twice a year for international students, one in January and one in August.
Read more
Confirm your presence on campus
If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer), you must complete a passport and identity check in person after arriving at Chalmers.
Please bring a valid passport showing:
Your full name
Nationality
Passport expiry date
Photograph
What you need to do
Bring your passport.
Visit the Chalmers Servicecenter during regular opening hours between 25 August and 11 September 2026.
Complete the identity check in person.
Please note that attendance is mandatory.
For location details and opening hours, see:
Arrival certificate
Exchange students participating in an Erasmus+ exchange at Chalmers will receive a digitally generated arrival certificate confirming their participation.
After confirming your presence, you will receive a personal code by email that allows you to download your arrival certificate. The code will also be available in the MoveOn portal, where you will find the link to download the certificate. The arrival date stated on your certificate will be the date on which you confirm your presence.
Please note that Chalmers International Mobility coordinators do not sign university-specific arrival forms.
Chalmers Student Union membership
If you are studying a programme or taking courses totalling more than 7.5 credits, you must become a member of the Chalmers Student Union.
Student Union membership is required for you to:
Access campus facilities
Participate in teaching activities
Take examinations
Once you have become a member, you will receive a Student Union Card, which also functions as your access card on campus.
Before using your access card
To activate your access card, you must first set a card PIN in MyAccount.
For information about membership, fees and how to join, visit The Student Union website.
Schedule and academic calendar
The academic year at Chalmers is divided into two semesters, with each semester consisting of two study periods.
Autumn semester: Study Periods 1 and 2
Spring semester: Study Periods 3 and 4
Each study period ends with an examination period.
Important dates, including the start and end of study periods, examination periods, and registration dates, can be found in the academic calendar below.
The academic year
An academic year at Chalmers is divided into two semesters, where each semester consists of two study periods. A study period consists of seven to nine study weeks and ends with an examination period.
Add or change a course
You may request changes to your study plan during the first week of each study period, subject to course availability and approval.
Before requesting a course change, please:
Read the course information carefully
Ensure that you meet the entry requirements listed in the course syllabus
Check that the course fits your study plan and schedule
Canvas and course literature
Canvas – Chalmers' learning platform
Canvas is Chalmers' digital learning platform, where you will find course materials, assignments, announcements, and information from your teachers.
Course literature
Each course has a syllabus that contains important information about the course, including the required and recommended course literature.
We recommend reviewing the course literature before the start of the semester, as some books and materials may need to be purchased or accessed in advance.
Examinations
To sit an exam, you must be registered for the course in Ladok and be signed up for the specific exam session. If you are registered on the current course instance, you will normally be automatically signed up for the ordinary exam. For re-exams, you must register yourself in Ladok.
Important information
Always check that you are correctly registered for your exam.
If you are not registered, you will not be allowed to sit the exam.
Registration cannot be completed after the deadline by administrators or examiners.
For detailed information about exam procedures, schedules, and requirements, visit our Examinations page.
Before you leave Chalmers
Transcript of records
Once all your grades have been registered, you can log in to Ladok to download your official electronic transcript of records.
The transcript includes a validation link that your home university can use to verify the document.
Important: Chalmers does not send transcripts by mail or provide printed or signed copies. You are responsible for downloading your transcript from Ladok.
Your Chalmers student account will remain active for 6 months after your studies end. After this period, you will no longer be able to log in to Ladok to access your transcript.
Missing a grade?
Grades are normally registered in Ladok within 15 working days after the exam. If a grade is missing, contact the course examiner so the result can be reported and the course marked as completed.
Departure certificate
To obtain your departure certificate, follow these steps:
Log in to the MoveOn portal for incoming exchange students.
Open the form “Document to support departure date”.
Enter your departure date and upload supporting documentation (e.g. train, bus, or flight ticket). The departure date cannot be after the last day of the semester.
Save and submit the form.
A personal code will be sent to your email on your registered departure date. If your departure falls on a weekend or public holiday, the email will be sent on the next working day.
Go to the Attendance Certificate Website and enter your code under Validate certificate key to download your departure certificate.
Exceptions
If you stay beyond the official end of the semester due to a master’s thesis or individual project presentation, the departure date on your certificate can be adjusted. Contact studentexchange@chalmers.se if this applies to you.
Verification of certificates
If your home university needs to verify your certificates, use the verification link included in both the arrival and departure certificates. Certificates confirming your enrollment at Chalmers can be printed from Ladok at any time while you are an active student.
Once again, you are very welcome to Chalmers and we hope that you are going to have a nice time in Gothenburg!
Contact
