LiU Summer Academy

Be prepared to have the best summer!

A four-week credit-bearing programme at campus Valla, Linköping

LiU is delighted to extend a warm invitation to students from our esteemed partner universities to take part in the LiU Summer Academy. This exciting opportunity beckons you to embark on a transformative one-month journey of international study at campus Valla in Linköping.

At LiU Summer Academy, the doors are open to a world of high-quality courses, each carefully crafted to offer you a rich and diverse learning experience. As you immerse yourself in our vibrant academic community, you will have the chance to build lasting connections with fellow students from around the globe, expanding your horizons and fostering cultural awareness that will serve you well in your future endeavours.
The courses delve into the cutting-edge research and educational disciplines for which LiU is renowned, providing you with a unique chance to explore academic excellence.
Beyond the classroom, you will also discover the picturesque landscapes and rich heritage of East Sweden, all while soaking up the fascinating nuances of Swedish culture.
Join us at LiU Summer Academy and let your academic and personal growth flourish in the captivating backdrop of Sweden.
LiU can't wait to welcome you!


Why join LiU Summer Academy?

9 out of 10

students would recommend LiU Summer Academy to fellow students.

Join hundreds

of other students from all over the world.

95%

of participating students are satisfied with the social programme.

It was the experience of a lifetime - I had the most amazing time at LiU and I personally thank every one of the student hosts and programme organisers for an incredible summer!
One of the LiU Summer Academy students
Highly recommend it to everyone, thank you all so much! Most remembered summer ever!
One of our great LiU Summer Academy alumni

Courses on offer

Solar cells.

Alternative energy: the past, present, future, and inventions

Under the influence of scientific and technological progress, our life is changing at a rapid pace. Understanding the basic principles that affect ongoing changes and future developments is important for all branches and areas.


Syllabus

Is There An App For That? Potentials and Pitfalls of Using Smartphones as Medical Devices

Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our society, they present a unique opportunity for scientific inquiry. This course will introduce how smart devices can be used to perform similar tasks to research-grade optical imaging and sensing devices.


Syllabus
Ledarskap i socialt arbete

Leadership and Organisational Behaviour in Contemporary Organisations

The course offers an interdisciplinary perspective and provides students with insights into international state-of –the-art theories of organisational behaviour and leadership, and practical cases and examples of Swedish and international firms.


Syllabus
Organic nanoelectronics

Nanotechnology: Sustainable Challenges and Social Impact

The overall aim of this course is to acquaint students with the concept of nanoscience and technology, without becoming embroiled in details of the scientific principles and mathematics.


Syllabus
Comics

Superman, Daisy Duck and Tintin: reading and learning in the world of comics

Study comics from an aesthetic, political and cultural perspective, and the role of comics both historically and in the present day. The course sheds light on different forms of comics - strips, graphic novels, comics - and various genres.


Syllabus
Isometric virtual office with business people working together and mobile devices: business management, online communication and finance concept.

Swedish International Management in a De-Globalized World [SWIM]

More information available in September 2025.


Swedish International Management in a De-Globalized World [SWIM]
View of Linköping, a city in Sweden.

Sweden: Language, Culture and Society

This course gives an introduction to Swedish culture and society, with aspects of history, social structures, welfare, education, and political system. You also have the opportunity to learn and practice the Swedish language at a beginner’s level.


Syllabus

The Use (and Abuse) of Culture

The course ties the changing role of culture and knowledge to what is often labelled the post-industrial society, describing a societal development that has transitioned from traditional industries to a growing creative industries sector.


Syllabus

How LiU Summer Academy works

Application for students

Entry requirements

To meet the general entry requirements, students must have completed one year of full-time studies upon application (passed 60 ECTS credits or equivalent) and be nominated by one of LiU’s partner universities.

Documents

  1. Official transcript of records showing completed courses and their grades (student copies are not accepted).
  2. LiU Summer Academy - nomination certificate 2026 (contact an international coordinator or similar at your home university).
  3. A copy of a valid passport or identity card.

Please note that the transcript of records and nomination certificate must be stamped and signed when submitted. The LiU Summer Academy nomination certificate should be submitted as an educational document.

How to apply

Preliminary! From 3 February - 24 March 2026 students can apply electronically for LiU Summer Academy courses at University Admissions.
On the University Admissions website, choose “log in”, create an account and search for courses at ”Linköping University” for “Summer 2026”. Upload the nomination certificate in University Admissions.

Deadlines - for 2026

Please note that all deadlines are midnight CET.

  • 3 February 2026 - Online application service opens
  • 24 March 2026 - Admission application deadline
  • 28 March 2026 - Deadline for supporting documents
  • 4 April 2026 - First Notification of Selection Results
  • 11 April 2026 - Last date to accept or decline your offer
  • 16 April 2026 - Second Notification of Selection Results (no reply required). The FAQ for students will be sent to all admitted students. It contains essential information how to apply for accommodation, excursions and much more.
  • From 16 April 2026, it will be possible to download the notification of the selection result (letter of acceptance) on your account at University Admissions.

Selection

LiU aim for a good mix of students, with selection based on the principles of a multicultural classroom. Please note that the number of student places per course is limited, and LiU cannot guarantee a place for all nominated students. Students from partner universities with whom LiU would like to improve the balance for incoming and outgoing student exchange are prioritised. If there is a high demand for the LiU Summer Academy places, eligible students will be chosen by a lottery system in University Admissions.

Nomination procedure for partner universities

Partner universities are welcome to nominate a maximum of five students per course. Please use the LiU Summer Academy nomination certificate for 2026. Nomination documents can only be shared with partner universities: summeracademy@liu.se

To be eligible for admission, students must have completed one year of full-time studies (equivalent to 60 ECTS credits) at the time of application and be nominated by one of LiU’s partner universities. Nominated students must upload the nomination certificate to University Admissions. No proof of English proficiency is required as LiU trust partner universities to only nominate students with a good command of English (writing, reading, listening and speaking at a recommended CEFR level B2).

Important dates for admitted students 2026

FAQ for admitted students: 16 April
Deadline payment(s):  30 April (await confirmation regarding housing, excursions and reference number before payment) 
Arrival day: 26 June (regular LiU support available from 12:00 until latest 20:00 with an extended pick-up service until 22:00. No pick-up service available after 22:00 on  26 June.)
Moving in: 26 June (After 12:00 ie. noon)
Welcome reception: 29 June (09:00-13:00) 
Course dates: 29 June - 24 July (some courses have preparatory exercises before arrival - students are expected to attend lectures until the last day of the course)
Farewell reception: 24 July (14:00-17:00)
Moving out and day of departure: 25 July (before 12:00 ie. noon) 

Location

LiU Summer Academy is held at campus Valla in Linköping in Eastern Sweden. Linköping is situated 200 kilometres south-west of Stockholm in Östergötland, which has been trademarked in English as East Sweden by the regional government. Our foundation campus is campus Valla, which is located in Linköping, about three kilometres from the city centre. This is where the majority of students and researchers study and work.

Linköping

Linköping is one of Sweden’s oldest cities with a long cultural tradition. Over the past 50 years, Linköping has grown to become Sweden’s fifth-largest municipality, with more than 165,000 inhabitants. It is home to industries specialising in many different sectors, ranging from aircraft manufacturing to emerging technologies. Several international companies such as Saab, Ericsson, IFS, Autoliv, Sectra and Cloetta have offices in Linköping.

Despite its rapid growth, Linköping still has the charm of a small town. The city centre is easy to reach from Campus Valla, about a ten-minute bike ride, and the University Hospital Campus is located centrally. The inner city offers plenty of entertainment opportunities: theatre plays, museums, concerts and student skits locally called “spex”. Cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs located downtown will cater to all tastes. 
Read more: Visit Linköping

Guaranteed accommodation

The student accommodation is in an area called Ryd, which is a suburb of Linköping. With its own town centre offering practically all the services you might need, Ryd almost feels like a town in its own right. It is also located close to campus Valla, where the classes are held.
LiU Summer Academy students can access the laundry rooms and recycling facilities, a beach volleyball court, tennis courts, outdoor gym and barbecue spots. For exercise and fresh air, you have the adjacent Ryd forest (Rydskogen) and there is also an excellent golf and disc course close to LiU. Ryds Allé in Linköping.Ryds Allé in Linköping.

Accommodation package

There are two options for accommodation during LiU's Summer Academy:
Option 1: Students can organise their own accommodation
Option 2: Students can choose to accept the accommodation package organised by LiU. It’s designed to help the LiU Summer Academy students settle in smoothly, so the students can focus on their studies and enjoy meeting new friends.
All admitted students who pay for the accommodation package are guaranteed housing.

Price: SEK 6 800 

Single room with Wi-Fi, electricity, water, heating
New bed linen, pillow, duvet, and towels (hand towel and shower towel)
Shared kitchen access*
Laundry facilities*
Unlimited bus card for Linköping (and Östergötland) 
* You are expected to keep your room and shared spaces clean, wash your own laundry, and leave your room empty except for the furniture upon departure. The shared kitchen must be cleaned before you leave.

About the room and shared kitchen

A single corridor room for one person is 20 square meters with a private bathroom. Eight rooms share a kitchen and living room. The room is furnished with a 90x200 cm bed, mattress, mattress protection, bedside table, bookshelf, desk, chair, router, shower curtain, shower curtain rod and the windows are equipped with blinds. There are eight rooms in a corridor sharing a kitchen and a living room (please note some of these rooms are inhabited by Swedish students who will be away for summer vacation). 

The shared kitchen includes a stove, oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, and sometimes cookware like pots and pans. You are expected to clean the kitchen after use, keep your fridge and cupboard shelves clean, recycle, and manage your waste. 

Important information

If you have not booked and paid for the accommodation package, you will need to arrange your own housing. You also won’t receive the bus card or the other things included in the LiU accommodation package.
Accommodation is available from 12:00 noon on 26 June until 12:00 on 25 July 2026. If you plan to stay in Sweden outside these dates, you will need to book additional accommodation yourself. For any issues regarding the accommodation, please contact Heimstaden’s customer service directly at kundservice@heimstaden.com.

Social programme

Our LiU student hosts always take great care of our Summer Academy students and arrange a variety of social activities to help you make the most of your time in Sweden.

Excursions and activities

LiU covers the cost of most activities, while optional short trips and the welcome dinner are at the student's own expense.

Weekend trip to Stockholm

Royal palace in Stockholm

Join us for an unforgettable overnight stay in Stockholm! We’ll depart Saturday morning from just outside your accommodation. The bus will take us directly to the hostel, where you can store your bags until check-in at 15:00. Enjoy free time exploring the city until departure on Sunday at 19:30. The price includes transportation, a bed in a shared four-bed room, bed linen, a towel, and breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Date: 11-12 July
Price: approximately SEK 1,100

Daytrip to Vadstena and Naturum Tåkern

Located on the shores of Lake Vättern, the historic surroundings are a must-see for international students. The experience includes transportation from just outside your accommodation, a guided tour of Vadstena Castle, a visit to Rökstenen, one of Sweden's oldest runestones, and a trip to Naturum Tåkern, a stunning bird reserve.

Date: 4 July
Price: approximately SEK 350

Gym membership

Swedes are passionate about staying active, whether it's soccer, floorball or cross-country skiing.
Campushallen, located on Campus Valla, offers a variety of activities, from indoor cycling and yoga to high-energy classes like Bodypump, as well as volleyball and badminton. Whatever your fitness level, there's something for everyone. For more details: Campushallen's website.

Social activities

During the first week, we’ve planned a variety of social activities to help you settle in and get to know each other. Throughout July, we’ll continue to organise fun and engaging activities for LiU Summer Academy students.
Some of the planned activities include:

  • Welcome dinner (27 June) Price: approximately SEK 500
  • Potluck dinner
  • Nordic pentathlon
  • Swedish fika
  • Quiz night
  • Swedish candy tasting
  • Games
  • Hiking

Arrival day

Checklist for arrival day 26 June 2026

You must prepare a photo before your departure: a sharp, colour photo – use a soft copy taken from the front showing your full face and the top of your shoulders with a plain light coloured background – standing in front of a wall no hats, caps or similar. After taking your photo, do the following: 
Print your rental agreement – hard copy 
Download or take a screenshot of the map showing the shuttle bus pick-up point. 

Things to keep in mind: 
Students who have paid for the accommodation package will receive new bed linen, sheets, pillow, duvet, hand towel, and a shower towel in your accommodation. 
They will also be provided a receive a digital regional bus card. 
Most shared kitchens are equipped with basic kitchenware, but we cannot guarantee exactly what items will be available in each kitchen. The kitchens are equipped by the students themselves, and many leave behind pots, pans, and other utensils when they leave Linköping. 
Keys to the accommodation can only be collected by the tenant. Please remember to bring a passport or a national ID-card issued in EU (screenshots or hard copies are not accepted). 

Planning your travel to LiU

In this article, you can read about how to get to LiU if you arrive in Sweden by plane, train or bus.
Read more: Planning your travel to LiU

Pick-up service on 26 June

LiU has arranged for a free pick-up service that operates regularly from Linköpings Resecentrum (train and bus station) and passes Linköping City Airport on arriving flights. Exact pick-up times will be provided on 2 June. Note! You must be prepared to carry your own luggage. 
1. The first stop is Campus Valla, where you must register at the International Office 
2. Register at the Infocentre
3. Collect the keys to your accommodation
4. Take the shuttle bus to the accommodation 
When: 26 June 2026
Where: Linköpings Resecentrum (bus and train station) and Linköping City Airport Time: 12:00-22:00 

Important Information for arrival outside official opening hours 

If you choose to arrive outside the official arrival day 12:00-22:00 on 26 June, the following applies:
No pick-up service is available after 22:00 on June 26.
Arrange your own accommodation until the key collection opens.
Collect the key in person and bring your original passport or an issued EU ID card. Copies or screenshots are not allowed.
The Infocentre is closed, and you can register no earlier than Monday lunchtime.
When: 27-28 June 2026
Where: Campus Valla - Studenthuset
Time: 13:00-15:00

Visa information

Some students are required to apply for an entry visa before arriving in Sweden for studies less than 90 days. Check the list of countries that need a visa on the Government Offices of Sweden's website. LiU are unable to assist with the visa process and recommends contacting the nearest Swedish Embassy or Consulate for more information.

New travel requirements for entering Europe will be introduced at the end of 2025 (exact start date not yet specified).
Read more:ETIAS – A New EU System for Travel Information and Authorisation
If you require a visa, begin the application process as soon as you receive acceptance to the LiU Summer Academy.

What our students say