It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the programme and as a new master’s student at Linköping University (LiU). This programme is taught by LiU’s Faculty of Educational Sciences with classes taking place on Campus Valla in Linköping in the East Sweden region.
Arrival & Welcome period at LiU
Whether you are moving to Sweden from abroad or you are already located in Sweden, it is wise to arrive at LiU before the autumn semester starts. We encourage all new students to join the welcome period activities and take the time to settle in, explore our programme’s campus and city. For those students moving to LiU from abroad, our International Office (IO) will provide additional support.
When to arrive
We do not mandate an arrival date, but around one week before the programme starts is a good guideline. At the absolute latest arrive before the mandatory roll call.
Are you allowed to reside in Sweden?
Students who are not citizens from Sweden or the EU/EEA are required to pay their tuition fees by 15 May 2024 to commence studies at LiU. This is also the recommended deadline for applying for a resident permit from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Until you are sure you can reside and study in Sweden, we advise students not to book any non-refundable travel.
Starting your studies & the mandatory roll call
The programme and your studies starts at 13.15-15 on 20 August, Venue, to be announced later(TBA), Campus Valla, Linköping.
There will be a mandatory roll call of all admitted students. By attending the roll-call, you confirm your place in the programme, this process is required by Swedish law. You must attend the roll-call in person – on campus – to confirm your place on the programme. If failing to attend, you will lose your place.
After the roll call, you will be given a presentation of the programme and the participants as well as an introduction to the first course Outdoor Learning in Theory and Practice. Traditional Swedish “fika” will be served afterwards.
The studies start with the roll-call and you will have scheduled activities several days every week. Apart from participating in seminars and outdoor activities you will also read literature and write shorter assignments from the first week. The literature list can be found under Study info, see the link below. The literature in the first course consists mainly of academic articles that can be downloaded from the LiU library. One book that you need to buy is Udeskole in theory and practice- A Danish approach to learning outside the classroom by Bærenholt and Hald (2022). The book is available on-line at the LiU library but can also be purchased here.
Advanced level of study
Studying at the master’s level is very demanding. We take your education seriously and want your time with us to be as valuable. Heightened personal responsibility, independence, openness to ideas, and informality between students and teachers are all seen as hallmarks of the Swedish higher education system. Many international students find this unfamiliar at first. We believe it helps prepare students to become confident problem solvers ready to take on challenges in the world.
While it will be more work than your previous studies, we know that you will also have a lot of fun and interesting experiences during your time at LiU. You will also make many new contacts in Sweden and from around the world.
Programme Content and Calendar
The programme consists of four courses:
- Outdoor Learning in Theory and Practice, 15 credits (20 August – 1 November)
- Environmental and Sustainability Education in the Natural and Cultural Landscape, 15 credits (1 November – 17 January 2025)
- Methods of Inquiry and Theories of Research, 15 credits (20 January – 28 March 2025)
- Thesis course, 15 credits (31 March – 6 June 2025)
Between 13 December and 14 January 2025 classes are held in hybrid mode where you can join on-campus or online. There will be a two-week study break over Christmas and New Year's (21 December - 6 Januari 2025).
The programme focuses on school-based outdoor activities and during the year we will carry out fieldwork and outdoor lessons in different outdoor locations. For some of the outdoor activities, there will be some expenses for local transports, accommodation, entry fees, etc. The costs will not exceed 1000 SEK in total.
Practical Information – Equipment List
Here is a list of equipment you will need for the outdoor activities during your courses. Of course, this list is in addition to the other clothes and items you want to bring. Because the climate in Linköping can vary between +20 Celsius in the summer and -20 Celsius in the winter (including snow), you need to bring a set of clothes to accommodation for the variations in temperature.
Clothes
- Wind- and waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm underwear (long sleeves and long legs)
- Warm jacket
- Knitted cap/woollen beanie for winter temperatures
- Gloves and mittens
- Warm socks
- Good walking shoes
- Warm shoes/boots for cold/wet winter climate
Useful things
- Thermos flask
- Backpack, for day trips
- Tent and sleeping bag (not necessary but can be useful)
Questions?
LiU will be sending out an email series to all students registered for an international programme at LiU in the lead up to the autumn semester with details about accommodation, tuition fees, scholarships, residence permits and other important steps to consider if you are an international student. As well as providing a hub of information over on the Admitted students page. Swedish students may find Antagen more relevant.
For questions about practical matters such as the welcome period, accommodation, resident permits, and insurance issues please contact LiU's International Office. Contact details provided below.
Further details will be provided on this web page as programme specific information and specifics are confirmed.
In closing, we welcome all new students to our exciting programme. We look forward to welcoming you to LiU in August!
