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Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Exchange

A group of students standing in a field throw up dirt into the air on a sunny day.

Sweden, Multiple

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Exchange is offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Science (CALS) in partnership with IAP.

Experience the culture of Sweden while studying on the campus of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), with branches in three Swedish cities! Depending on your academic specialty, students can choose between the three campuses of Uppsala, Alnarp, or Umea. SLU is a world class university in the fields of life and environmental sciences with strong links between education and research, a particular focus on sustainability, and high student engagement in some of the most important issues facing the 21st Century. Students in this program will be able to take advantage of unique, innovative courses in many areas related to CALS majors including Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources and Veterinary Sciences. This is a perfect program to take courses in English and to earn agriculture and life science credits abroad at a comprehensive university focused on science and education for sustainable life.

With the choice of three campuses offering different academic specialties, as well as unique culture and landscape, students have the opportunity to choose the region of Sweden where they will live.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Navigate the Swedish education system
  • Experience new learning and teaching styles in block-style courses
  • Achieve personal development and the ability to adapt to a new culture
  • Take advantage of academic strengths in:
    • Agricultural and Life Sciences
    • Forestry
    • Sustainability
  • Gain an interdisciplinary perspective on addressing environmental concerns

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Open to students in all schools and colleges, with preference given to students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Junior, Senior, Graduate Student
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Exchange & Direct Enroll

Subjects

Agriculture and life sciences: Agricultural and Applied Economics, Animal Sciences, Biological Systems Engineering, Biology, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Forest and Wildlife Ecology, Genetics, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Life Sciences Communication, Soil Science, and Sustainability

Classroom Language

English, Swedish

Housing

Apartments, Rented Room, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Academic Year: Late August - Early June
Fall: Late August - Mid January
Spring: Mid January - Early June

Application Deadline(s)

Spring 2025-26 9/19/2025 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Year 2026-27 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 9/18/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences was formed in 1977 when three university colleges, the College of Agriculture, College of Forestry and College of Veterinary Medicine, joined together. SLU has five faculties in which students can take courses: Faculty of Landscape Planning, Faculty of Horticulture and Agricultural Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, and Faculty of Forest Sciences. Within these faculties, SLU provides over 250 courses taught in English for exchange students. Please note that SLU does not offer any Swedish language courses.

SLU has three main campuses in different regions of Sweden, so make sure to choose courses for one campus. Learn more about each campus.

Many courses at SLU require that students have prior knowledge and course work within the discipline that they are choosing. You must have the prerequisite knowledge, which SLU calls the "entry requirement" for each course you are applying for. Entry requirements are published on the course page. This program is a good fit for students who are Agriculture and Life Science majors, have completed major coursework here in Madison, and plan to take courses in their major while abroad.

With almost 3,500 full-time students each year, SLU has three main campuses located in Alnarp in southern Sweden, Uppsala in central Sweden, and Umea in northern Sweden. In addition to these main locations, SLU also carries out teaching and research activities in 25 other locations throughout the country. Depending on your faculty choice, you will be studying in one of the three cities mentioned above.

Credits

The Swedish university credit system follows the European credit transfer system (ECTS), where one Swedish credit is worth one ECTS credit.

The Swedish academic year is divided into two 20-week semesters, with each semester being divided into two periods. One semester of full-time study (100%) is worth 30 credits. Exchange students may study between 22.5 and 30 credits per semester. If you need to apply for a residence permit for studies, you must be admitted to take 30 credits for the semester. Anything else may have a negative effect on the permit application process.

Example of Course Combinations for a Full-time Course Load

Period 1

 

Period 2

1A

 

1B

2a

2b

One 15-credit course, or
Two 7.5-credit courses, or
One 5-credit course + one 10-credit course

One 15-credit course, or
Two 7.5-credit courses, or
One 5-credit course + one 10-credit course

 

 

 

Affiliate Institution(s)

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Program Web Pages

SLU Exchange program

Foreign Courses

SLU Course Search (must choose courses from same campus)

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents