Study abroad
Seize the opportunity to study abroad and enhance your understanding of other countries' cultures and experience a new academic environment. MDU gives you the opportunity to study abroad at our partner universities both within the EU (Erasmus+) and outside the EU (Bilateral) or via ISEP.
Where can I go?
You can choose to go on exchange during a semester or the time period specified in the list of places below.
MDU has around 120 partner universities worldwide. Where you can go depends on your field of study and when you apply. Some places are open to all subjects and schools and are marked as "all subjects/all schools" in the list, while others are specific to a certain school or field of study. Please check which locations are available for your school and specialization before making your choice.
Student Mobility at Mälardalen University spring semester 2025 Pdf, 198.2 kB.
The film describes the process around exchange studies from the previous academic year: how to apply, where you can go, how selection and merit evaluation work, and what happens after you submit your application. At the end of the film, contact information for MDU's international coordinators is provided.
Frequently asked questions and answers about exchange studies
When does the application open?
The first application period for student exchange is for the entire next academic year, and the second application period is only for the next spring semester. Dates for the application periods will be published on the website before the application opens.
For the academic year 2025/2026, you can apply from 15 December to 5 February. If you have questions about specific universities or need advice before your application, you can talk to the international coordinator at your school.
Important dates for the academic year 2025/2026
15 December 2024: Online application opens
5 February 2025: Application deadline. The online application closes. Please note that you should email the PDF file created when submitting your application to the international coordinator.
Incomplete and/or late applications will not be processed.
For students applying for an exchange to one of the partner universities in the United States, Canada, Japan or Hong Kong, the following dates apply for the notification of nomination and the deadline for reply:
20 February: notification of nomination will be sent to applicants
21 February is the last day to reply to the nomination letter.
For other applications (not USA, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong) the dates apply:
4 March: notification of nomination will be sent to applicants
6 March is the last day to reply to the nomination letter.
Please note that the offer of an exchange place is available in the application portal where the application was made. To keep your place, you must respond to the offer. Failure to respond will be considered as a "no" and the place will be lost.
Who can apply for exchange studies?
If you want to study abroad, you must meet certain requirements. Here is what you need to know.
To apply for exchange studies, you must:
- Be a full-time student at MDU.
- Have passed at least 30 higher education credits at MDU.
- You must have completed 75% of all higher education credits for the courses you have been registered at MDU, until the semester before the application closes.
- Meet the specific language requirements.
Before starting your exchange studies, you must:
- Still be a registered student at MDU the semester before your exchange period.
- Have completed at least 60 higher education credits at MDU.
- Meet any special language requirements required by the foreign institution, such as the TOEFL test if you are applying through the ISEP exchange.
Regarding language requirements, it depends on the language you are studying:
- For English, you usually do not need more than a basic qualification for university studies.
- If you apply for an exchange through ISEP, you need to take a TOEFL test.
- For French, Spanish and German, approved results of at least 15 higher education credits are required. Please note that beginner and basic courses in these languages do not count as eligibility.
- For other languages, an assessment is made based on the rules for French, Spanish and German.
It is also important to know that most of our partner universities offer courses in English, even if it is not the official language of the country. They also offer language courses for beginners in the local mother
What happens if I am offered a position?
- If you are offered a position, you need to accept it.
- You will receive instructions on how to apply at the foreign university. Complete your application and send it well before the final application date.
- You and your international coordinator create a Learning Agreement, which confirms that MDU approves your choice of courses.
- When the university abroad receives your application, they will send you a confirmation and welcome information.
- If you plan to study outside of Europe, you need to apply for a visa and attach a copy of your admission confirmation. You are responsible for contacting the embassy.
Apply for exchange studies
Apply for exchange studies for the academic year 2025/2026 between 15 December 2024 - 5 February 2025.
The application opens on 15 DecemberAdditional exchange opportunities via MDU
Nordplus
Nordplus is the Nordic Council of Ministers' exchange program for students and teachers in the Nordic countries.
Selection criteria for exchange studies
If there are more applicants than places, we will select based on merit points.
Support for disabilities
Exchange students who need extra help during their time abroad can apply for additional financial support.
Before you go on overseas studies
Here is information that may be good to know before you go on overseas studies.
When you return from overseas studies
Here is information that might be good to know after you have returned from overseas studies.
MFS - Minor Field Studies
Minor Field Studies, MFS, is a Sida-funded scholarship programme. This gives students the opportunity to be in a developing country to collect material for an essay or degree project for a Bachelor’s or Master’s (60 or 120 credits) degree.
Questions?
For more information on exchange studies, contact your international coordinator:
- School of Business, Society and Engineering, EST
est-international@mdu.se - School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, IDT
idt-international@mdu.se - School of Education, Culture, and Communication, UKK
ukk-international@mdu.se - School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, HVV
hvv-international@mdu.se.