Study environment

For MDU's activities to be as good as possible it’s important that as a student you tell us what you think of your education.

According to the Higher Education Act, students have the right to influence their education, and the University must endeavour to activate the students in further developing their education. After each completed course the students have the opportunity to express their opinions in a course evaluation, which is then compiled. If you wish to read the summary you can contact the School or teacher who is responsible for the course.

Mälardalen Student Union

The Mälardalen Student Union consists of students who endeavour to see that your period of study will be as good as possible. The goal is that all members will be secure and feel that they belong to a positive community. The Mälardalen Student Union also works for the rights of students to influence their education and study environment.

Student life

The Mälardalen Student Union is in constant motion. Their ambition is that there is always something fun for all members to do, such as pub visits, events, associations and rookie weeks – both in Eskilstuna and Västerås.

Student influence

One of Mälardalen Student Union's most important tasks is to ensure that student influence is available at the University. This is to ensure a high quality of all the courses and study programmes from a student perspective. Much of the Student Union's work is preventative. Examples of issues that have been taken up for the benefit of students are exam-free weekends, anonymous written examinations, more points of departure with the campus buses, better course evaluations and reminders to take the written examinations.

There are two organised forms of student influence at Mälardalen University (MDU). One form is course evaluations and the other form of student influence is student representation.

A student representative is a person appointed by Mälardalen Student Union to represent other students in matters related to education and the study environment at MDU. The student representative is invited to various meetings at the University and can influence decisions that are made.

• For more information about student influence please view the Mälardalen Student Union website External link.
  

Policy, goals and rules for student influence at MDU

MDU has a governing document which describes the policy, goals and rules for student influence at the University. By working with a clear structure and towards a common goal, we contribute to an increased commitment where students want to be involved in the development efforts. This in turn leads to a systematic way of working that promotes, strengthens and quality assures student influence at the University.

If you encounter problems during your study period

Studying at a university means that you’ll be meeting new people that you’ll be solving problems with. Therefore it’s not so strange that problems sometimes occur. But there is help to be got in such situations.

It’s important that you contact the teacher responsible or the course coordinator in the first instance with your problem. You can also contact your head of division. If you want to know who the head of division connected with your course is, you can get help from studenttorget@mdu.se.

The Student Ombudsman, your support during your period of study

There is a student ombudsman working at MDU, whose duty is to guide you as a student if you are experiencing problems during the time you are studying at the University.

The Student Ombudsman can for example:

• listen to and discuss questions concerning the University’s activities
• give support and guidance regarding rights and obligations for students
• help students who feel they are discriminated against
• guide students who have been reported to the Disciplinary Board.

• Contact the Student Ombudsman
  

Have you been discriminated against?

At MDU there is zero tolerance towards discrimination and harassment. The University is obliged to investigate cases of harassment and victimisation as soon as the University gets to know that this may have occurred. Discrimination relates to unfair or abusive treatment that can be linked to one of the seven grounds of discrimination:

• gender
• transgender identity or expression
• ethnicity
• religion or other belief
• disability
• sexual orientation
• age

If you feel that you have been discriminated against you can report this to registrator@mdu.se.

If you would like support during this process you can contact the student ombudsman. Bear in mind that a report is not always protected by confidentiality and may be a public document. If you wish to discuss your situation in confidence you may contact the Student Health Care or your study adviser.