Congratulations on being accepted to Malmö University! Now it's time to start preparing for your studies. Here you will find information about Arrival Day, the academic calendar, the Orientation, the Buddy Programme and more.

Arrival Day

We recommend that all international students who have housing through Malmö University Housing to arrive on the official Arrival Day. You will get the keys to your accommodation and receive welcome information during this day. University staff, student mentors and landlord representatives will be on hand throughout the day to welcome students and answer any questions. 

If you will not be living in University Housing, you do not need to come on Arrival Day. However, if you want to meet fellow students, you are more than welcome to come by and hang out. 

Academic Year 2024/2025

Arrival Day for the Autumn semester 2024 is 22 August 2024.

Arrival Day for the Spring semester 2025 is 14 January 2025.

Arriving late or after Arrival Day

If you arrive in Malmö later than 17.00 on Arrival Day, or at a later date, you will need to make an appointment with the Housing Office by emailing housing@mau.se.

The International Office does not have access to your keys. It is important that you make arrangements with the Housing Office beforehand if you are arriving to Malmö after Arrival Day or later than 17.00 on Arrival Day.

Orientation Canvas page

You are welcome to join our Orientation Canvas page and learn more about how to navigate the first stages of your semester as an exchange student at Malmö University.

Orientation Canvas Autumn 2024

Orientation

All students admitted to courses and programmes taught in English are invited to take part in the Malmö University Orientation. The Orientation consists of lectures and activities that are designed to help you become acquainted with Sweden, Malmö and Malmö University. You will get the chance to meet other students and get to know your surroundings.

The Orientation begins with a welcome meeting and is followed by a series of practical, academic and social activities. The Orientation activities during the autumn semester 2024 are arranged between 22– 30 August, with the Arrival Day on 22 August.

7 August Webinar recording

How to join the Orientation

You are welcome to attend all activities, or just the ones you find relevant. There are different types of activities, such as informative ones and social ones. 

Orientation schedule Autumn 2024

Please note that the information below might be subject to change, and is still being finalised. Visit this webpage for regular updates.

Thursday 22 August – Arrival Day!

09.00–17.00 Welcome to Malmö!

Location: Malmö University Niagara (Norra Neptunigatan 1, 211 18 Malmö, Sweden)
Organiser: International Office

Malmö University student representatives will meet you at Malmö central station and show you the way to the Student Centre. Get the chance to get some practical information from the International Office staff. For those who will check into University Housing on 22 January you will also get your accommodation keys, and you will get a ride to University Housing where you will check in to your student apartment.

Friday 23 August

11.00–12.30 Campus Tour

Meeting point: Orkanen, ground floor (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10, 211 19 Malmö, Sweden)
Organiser: Erasmus Student Network

We will take you around the main Campus area so that you can find the library, see the lunch areas, the perfect study spots etc.

13.00–15.00 Welcome Meeting

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: International Office

Welcome to the introductory session. We have prepared plenty of helpful information to get you started at Malmö University. You will get to meet the staff of the International Office and Malmö University, as well as get a glimpse of what lies ahead during the week. Representatives from the Student Union,the Erasmus Student Network and the Buddy Programme will also join the meeting.

Saturday 24 August

Time 15.00 – Beach volleyball and picnic

Location: Volleyball beach courts at Scaniabadet (Scaniaparken, 211 14 Malmö, Sweden)
Organisers: Erasmus Student Network Malmö and Buddy Programme

Get acquainted with the Buddy Programme and the Erasmus Network by playing some beach volleyball and having some snacks. No level of volleyball experience required, this is a social event. Please bring something to sit on, some snacks and wear your swimsuit in case the weather calls for a quick dip.

Monday 26 August

13.15–14.00 Safety and Security

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: Security Services

If any lecture has it all, it is this one. Emergency evacuation information, Swedish laws you are probably unaware of. Don’t miss it. Trust us; you will want to know what to do if you lock yourself in a classroom late at night.

14.15–16.00 Love, Work & Play

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: Student Health Services

An interactive workshop that helps you understand how you can make the best out of your studies in Malmö. We will talk about ways to find the balance between studies, student life, stress, recovery and fun and discuss how you as a student can adapt to the new situation.

Tuesday 27 August

13.15–14.00 Library and Computer Introduction

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: Library Services and the digimentors

An open session where we have representatives from the Library and the IT departement presenting you their respective departements. There will be a presentation on how to navigate the University Library and its services, as well as a presentation on how to use the IT related ones that are available for all students at the University.

14.15–16.00 Swedish Academic System and Learning Support

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: Center for Teaching and Learning and Learning Support

A Q&A session where we go over the differences and expectations of the Swedish Academic system and what to expect from it during your studies here at the University. To close of the session, you will also be introduced to the Learning Support service at the University, for students that have disabilities during their overall studies at Malmö University. 

17.30 Malmö Walking Tour

Location: Trianglen Station outside of Johannes Kyrka
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours (with a lot of stops and an easy pace).

Join the Buddy Programme on a different walking tour around Malmö, exploring the known and beautiful places of it and some more secret ones, like hangout spots, coffee shops and the best sunset spot in the city.

Wednesday 28 August

13.15–14.00 Your Bridge to the Future

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: Career Services, Social Innovation & Drivhuset

Starting your studies here may often lead to ideas on future career paths, or even big innovative projects. In that case, this session here is just what you need. Representatives from the university will give examples on how to take lead with all these ideas in your head, and how to take advantage of what we have to offer here. To kickstart your future career.

14.00–14.15 Book Circle

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: MaU reads – Library Services

Annually the Library organizes a book circle in English for students that are interested in learning and reading Swedish literature and expanding their knowledge of their new environment. 

14.45–15.30 Cohabitation & Respect

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)
Organiser: Student Health Services

This workshop session is devoted to fun and interactive exercises on what it might mean to share accommodation and learning environment with several other people. We will focus on finding similarities rather than differences. Hopefully you will leave the workshop with new friends, a sense of belonging and a set of tools to avoid conflicts in the common kitchen.

Thursday 29 August

14.30–16.30 Association Fair

Location: Niagara Lobby floor (Nordenskiöldsgatan 1)
Organiser: Student Union Malmö

During this fair you will be able discover what Malmö University has to offer in terms of Student Associations. You will be able to sign up for the Student Union membership, as well as see what other student associations and their various activities.

17.00 ESN Games (CANCELLED)

Location: Kungsparken. behind the old casino building.
Organiser: Erasmus Student Network Malmö

A social event aimed at providing a more informal setting for you as student to meet other fellow peers from your own studies, or even outside of your own programme.

Friday 30 August

16.00–17.30 Welcome Mingle

Location: Malmö Rådhus, Kompanigatan 5, 211 34 Malmö, Sweden

A mingle event hosted by Malmö City in the beautiful Town Hall with official representatives welcoming you from the city.

NOTE that this event you can only attend if you have a valid ticket. Tickets will be provided during the Orientation week, and they are a limited amount. First come, first serve basis of distributing tickets. 

20.00 ESN Outdoor Party

Location: Scaniaparken Music Hills
Organiser: Erasmus Student Network Malmö

An outdoor after party event will be organised to finish off the ending of the Orientation Programme. 

Saturday 31 August

14.30 – Exploring Dalby Stenbrott

Location: Dalby Stenbrott (Google maps)

Join the Buddy Programme on a visit to Dalby Stenbrott, a beautiful lake close to Malmö. Please bring something to sit on, some snacks and wear your swimsuit if you'd like to swim. The plan is to hang out next to the water. We suggest to even go a bit earlier, walk around, explore and then meet us by the lake. We know there is an ESN party the previous evening (hence the 14:30 meeting time) so the whole excursion won't be demanding physically, just a relaxing afternoon at the lake.

See you all directly at Dalby Stenbrott!

Friday 6 September

17.15–19.00 Buddy Programme Kick-off

Location: Orkanen, ORD138 (Nordenskiöldsgatan 10)

This will be the official kick-off the Buddy Programme, where the student coordinators will talk about what is to come during the semester and division of the student groups.

Introduction for Swedish-speaking students

If you are already familiar with Sweden and Malmö you can join the introduction days Tjuvkik (in Swedish) instead or as well. You can choose the parts of both Tjuvkik and the Orientation that are relevant to you.

Information about Tjuvkik (in Swedish)

Buddy programme

In addition to the Orientation, we also offer the Buddy programme – a way for you to get to know your fellow students better.

Through the programme we arrange social activities and have fun. This is an opportunity for you to expand your network, make new friends and develop your language skills. As a participant in the Buddy Programme, you will be assigned to a group that will consist of both other newly arrived students, as well as current students, your "buddies". Each year, Malmö University welcomes around 800 new international students, representing nearly 85 nationalities from all over the world. You can be proud to be part of a global student community in one of Sweden’s most diverse cities.

As a new student, you will receive information about the programme by email before the start of the semester. Newly admitted students will have to sign up to join the Buddy programme.

Current students who want to become a buddy to new incoming students can find more information at the Student web.

How to get to Malmö University

Malmö's central train station is well connected within Sweden and internationally via links to Copenhagen. It boasts its own airport, Sturup, but for international travellers, it is best served by Copenhagen Airport — just a 20-minute train journey away. Please be aware of the current regulations in place, both for your transits and for entering Sweden at the time of your travel.

If you are arriving at Arrival day, student mentors wearing orange vests will be at the train station to help with directions. 

Travelling to Sweden

Travelling and moving to another country to study can be very individual. You can find a list of important documents to bring with you here below. Please note, however, that this list is not exhaustive.

  • Proof of admission (for example, letter of acceptance)
  • European Health Insurance Card (if applicable)
  • Residence permit
  • Passport & other ID documentation

Make sure to stay updated regarding the regulations in place at the time of your travels, both in Sweden and regarding any transit you might have included in your travels.

What to be aware of before moving to Malmö

Academic calendar

The academic year in Sweden is divided into two semesters, each lasting 20 weeks.

Academic year 2023/2024

Autumn semester 2023: 28 August  2023 – 14 January 2024
Spring semester 2024: 15 January 2024 – 2 June 2024

Academic year 2024/2025

Autumn semester 2024: 2 September 2024 – 19 January 2025
Spring semester 2025: 15 January 2025 – 8 June 2025

Contact

For general questions regarding Orientation and/or your arrival to Malmö, you are welcome to email the International Office at Malmö University.

International Office at Malmö University

internationaloffice@mau.se