The University of Gothenburg is a member of Nordlys, an interdisciplinary network for exchange studies within the Nordic region, where several institutions offer free summer courses for our students. For more detailed course offerings, please visit the respective institutions' websites listed below.
If you choose to take a summer course at one of the Nordic universities listed below, you may need to be nominated by GU.
Kindly contact us at exchangestudies@gu.se so we can assist you with the nomination and application process. You may potentially be eligible for a scholarship, but we cannot guarantee this at the moment. More information about scholarships will be available in April.
If you are awarded a scholarship, the amount will vary depending on the number of applicants, the university you are attending, and the duration of your stay. The scholarship amount can range from approximately 250 to 800 euros.
In order apply, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be enrolled at the University of Gothenburg at the time of application.
- By the application deadline, you must be able to show that you have studied at a normal rate. Normal rate of studies means that you have carried out your studies on a full-time or part-time basis in accordance with the rate specified in your admission letter. You also meet the requirement if you have a Nais-certificate and receive study support.
- The summer course is conducted within the framework of your education.
- You must meet the specific requirements of the host university
- You need to provide evidence of sufficient language skills according to the requirements specified by the host university.
Please note that certain courses may have specific requirements – kindly read more on the respective institution's website.
In case of competition for placement, students with the highest number of university credits (HP) will be given priority.
Are you interested in applying for one of these summer schools? Email exchangestudies@gu.se with a transcript of records and a Ladok registration certificate to receive more information.
DENMARK
Aarhus University (2/7-18/7 and 23/7 - 8/8, 2025)
AU Summer University
Nomination deadline: March 11, Application deadline: March 18 at 12:00. You need to be nominated to apply. Send your request to exchangestudies@gu.se.
Aarhus University offers a wide range of courses in economics, political science, law, health, natural sciences, and engineering. In addition to the academic program, the university provides assistance with student housing and a social program. The city is known for its white sandy beaches and rich cultural life.
Aarhus University
Information about housing
University of Copenhagen (July and August. Different start dates depending on the course.)
Application deadline: April 1. You apply on your own with no need to be nominated by GU.
International summer courses. The university offers over 30 summer courses at both bachelor's and master's levels in 11 different areas, including medicine, psychology, law, health, media, natural sciences, and engineering. Several courses are offered both online and on campus, with durations ranging from two to four weeks, and from 2.5 to 15 ECTS.
University of Copenhagen
Syddansk University (4/8-15/8, 2025)
Application period: 1 March - 1 May
Summer courses at Syddansk University take place in the cities of Odense and Sønderborg, exciting hubs for Danish innovation and culture. The international summer school offers courses in the fields of Science, Business, and Social Sciences, at both bachelor's and master's levels. In addition to studies, a comprehensive program of social and cultural activities is offered.
You need to be nominated to be exempt from the tuition fee. Kindly send your request to exchangestudies@gu.se no later than April 20, 2025.
Syddansk University
FINLAND
University of Eastern Finland (11 -22/8 2025)
UEF Summer School
Application deadline: June 15. The application period opens in January/February, and students are continuously admitted.
UEF's summer courses are offered at the Joensuu campus, located in Lakeland Finland, surrounded by magnificent nature. Here, you can choose from courses in social sciences and natural sciences, philosophy, health, and languages. UEF organizes a range of social activities to complement your studies, including hiking, kayaking, and sauna bathing in one of the many surrounding lakes.
Feel free to contact exchangestudies@gu.se before applying so we can reach out to the institution regarding the application fee
University of Eastern Finland
Jyväskylä University (4-15/8, 2025)
Application period: 1/3 – 30/4. The admission decision will be announced on May 26.
Jyväskylä Summer School, one of the oldest and largest summer schools in Finland, offers high-quality courses for master’s students, doctoral students, and postdocs in various fields of natural sciences, mathematics, and information technology. All courses are conducted in English by prominent researchers from around the world, and participation is free of charge. A diverse social program is also offered to participants.
Jyväskylä University Summer School
Information on housing
Åbo University (Orientation Day August 1, on-site courses between 4 –15 August, 2025. Online courses between 1 June-15 August)
Application deadline: April 17
Turku Åbo Summer School offers both digital and on-site courses in various subject areas, ranging from Circular Economy & Technology Assessment to Game Design and Foundations of Multiculturalism. A few days before the courses begin, students have the opportunity to participate in the school's Sustainable Social Program (https://turkuabosummerschool.utu.fi/social-programme/).
Please note that participation includes a course fee, which for 2025 ranges between €225 and €1,100. The optional social program has an additional fee of up to €130.
Turku Åbo Summer School
ICELAND
University of Iceland (1-31/7, 2025)
Application deadline: February 15
If you want to learn more about Iceland's language and culture, the International Summer School in Modern Icelandic Language & Culture could be the perfect opportunity for you. This program is offered in collaboration with the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.
Course fee: approximately 750 euros (paid by the student). A prerequisite for participation is completing the Icelandic Online 1 course, which is offered free of charge.
University of Iceland summer courses
NORWAY
University of Oslo (30/6 - 25/7, 2025)
Application deadline: March 1
UiO offers a wide range of bachelor and master courses, where students can earn 10-20 ECTS per course. Courses are offered in various subject areas that are somehow connected to Norway and Scandinavia, such as gender equality, architecture and sustainability.
Feel free to contact exchangestudies@gu.se before applying so we can reach out to the institution regarding the application fee.
International Summer School at the University of Oslo
University of South-Eastern Norway (2-26/6, 2025, orientation on May 27 and 28) Application deadline: March 1
The International Summer School Hønefoss – International Management and International Marketing offers an intensive five-week program where approximately 60 students gather to study international management and marketing. The program combines lectures with practical experiences and cultural activities. Students stay in modern student housing on campus, with single rooms equipped with private bathrooms. Social and cultural activities, such as excursions to Bergen and Copenhagen, as well as local events, are also included in the program.
International Summer School Hønefoss – International Management and International Marketing
NORDKURS
The University of Gothenburg is actively involved in Nordkurs, a collaboration between universities in the Nordic countries that has been ongoing since the 1960s.
Through Nordkurs, you have the opportunity to attend a summer course in Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, or Norway. You can explore our neighboring countries up close while learning more about the languages and cultures of the Nordic region.
It doesn’t matter what subject you study—anyone can apply for Nordkurs.
Courses are usually held in June-July over approximately three weeks and are organized by various universities and colleges in the Nordic region, such as Århus, Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, Tórshavn, Reykjavik, Bergen, Oslo, Tromsø, and Trondheim.
Admitted students receive a scholarship intended to cover travel and accommodation costs at the study location.
Applications open after New Year, and the deadline is usually March 1. You will be notified of your admission status in early April.
Learn more about Nordkurs and contact elisabeth.andersson@svenska.gu.se for further information.
