New at LiU
By thinking freely and innovating, LiU takes on the challenges of the day. We are glad to have you with us on this journey towards a better world.
Welcome to LiU!
We warmly welcome you to Linköping University. This page contains information for you who are about to start, or have just started, your time at LiU.
LiU welcomes you
We are innovators and you are needed here.
Education, research, and collaboration are our three main tasks, our core activities. Together with our shared operational support, which in various ways supports the daily work of the core activities, we become Linköping University. Together, we create and disseminate research results with international impact, attract and graduate sought-after students, and contribute to societal development through knowledge to and in collaboration with the surrounding society.
This is where you come in with all your knowledge, your commitment, your curiosity, and your experiences so that we can continue to be in constant motion, renew and develop ourselves, and tackle the challenges of our time. You are needed here. We need your drive and what you bring to us – to Linköping University.
We hope you will settle in and enjoy your time here!
Welcome message from Pia Rundgren, Director of Human Resources
Get to know LiU
Our history. Our story.
You are joining a university that is committed to empowering individuals to tackle the challenges of our time.
We were passionate about challenging the university system. We were driven to create a freer academy, to disseminate relevant knowledge, to reform research, and to be an integral part of both society and industry. Side by side with our students, we set out. Problems turned into opportunities. Smallness became greatness. And openness to each other's fields gave our ideas the power to reach far beyond the muddy field where we had set up camp.
Courage. Innovation. Execution power.
Even back then, when the parliament decided in the mid-1960s to establish a university in Linköping, we were brave enough to break new ground and challenge norms. Even back then, we thought innovatively and were driven by curiosity that fostered new ideas and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Even back then, we had the power to execute, to turn ideas and results into real benefits. Our heritage has shaped us into who we are today. A university committed to empowering individuals to tackle the challenges of our time can never rest. We are innovators in research, education, and collaboration. Together, we are LiU, and renewal is our only tradition.
Practical information for new staff and guests
International staff welcome film
Moving to the region of Östergötland
The region of Östergötland
LiU has four campuses. The three main campuses are in the cities of Linköping and Norrköping which are both located in the region of Östergötland.
Reade more: Campus Citites
Accommodation and home insurance
Finding a house or an apartment to rent in Linköping or Norrköping can be challenging, especially at the start of the semester in August/September as well as in January. Well in advance of your arrival, it is advised you contact different housing companies or private landlords to begin the search for accommodation.
As it might be difficult to find a long-term solution straight away, it can be a good idea to find a short-term solution, to begin with. It might not be the type of accommodation you were expecting or in the area you prefer but remember that it is temporary and that you will find it easier to find something more suitable for you long-term once you are in Sweden. Also remember that housing in Sweden is costly, and most people spend a large part of their income on housing.
If you intend to stay in Sweden for a longer period, it might be a good idea to rent an unfurnished apartment. Many housing companies have a queue system where you collect points for each day you are registered in the system. Often you can register from your home country. It is advisable to register early to receive as many points as possible. At the same time, some landlords have a system where you apply for an apartment and the landlord decides who gets to rent it. These accommodations are usually until further notice.
Another option can be to rent an already furnished accommodation. A furnished accommodation can be a good choice if you are staying for a shorter period or if you need something until you find a more permanent solution. These apartments are a bit more expensive than living in your own apartment, since they are furnished and water, electricity and wi-fi are included, but can be cheaper than staying at a hotel if you intend to stay for a couple of weeks.
Accommodation in Linköping
Unfurnished apartments
- Stångåstaden
- Willhem (only in Swedish)
- Heimstaden (only in Swedish)
- Victoriahem (only in Swedish)
- QASA (a site with multiple available accommodations)
- List of other landlords in Linköping on the municipality's website
In Linköping, the communal housing company Stångåstaden, offers new residents with an employment contract of at least 6 months 600 extra queue points. To apply, email them at foretaget@stangastaden.se or call +46 (0)13 20 85 00.
Read more: Extra queue points (only in Swedish)
Furnished apartments
Accommodation in Norrköping
Unfurnished apartments
- Balder
- Heimstaden (only in Swedish)
- Lundbergs (only in Swedish)
- Magnentus (only in Swedish)
- List of other landlords in Norrköping on the municipality's website (only in Swedish)
Furnished apartments
Available accommodation from LiU
LiU can provide accommodation for a limited number of international staff. The accommodation is suitable for one to two-person occupancy, however, the accommodation is only furnished for one person. If you are interested to know more, please contact internationalstaffsupport@liu.se.
Home insurance
Accompanying children
Children can attend childcare from the age of one. School is compulsory from the age of six in Sweden. You need to contact the municipality of Linköping or Norrköping upon arrival to enrol the children in child-care or schooling.
Read more: Swedish school system - Linköping
Read more: Swedish school system - Norrköping (only in Swedish)
When you begin your work at LiU
Send in important documents
Once your residence permit is approved by the Migration Board, send in a copy of your approval notice (and preferably also a copy of your residence permits card) to the HR at your department.
When you get your Swedish personal identity number, send the document with the Swedish personal identity number to the address below or hand it over directly to the Payroll Office in D Building, Campus Valla.
As soon as you get your Swedish personal identity number ask the Swedish Tax Agency for an "A-skattesedel" (in Swedish) and give it to the Payroll Office.
Read more: Tax information for monthly employees (PDF)
Payroll Office - Postal address
Linköping University
Payroll Office
SE-581 83 Linköping
Sweden
Register your account number with Swedbank
To ensure that your salary (or other reimbursements) is paid into the correct account you need to register your account number with Swedbank. You can do this as soon as you get your LiU-id, and you must do this no matter which bank you use. Remember that you must personally be the account holder (or joint account holder) of the account you register. If this is not done, there is a risk that you will receive your salary in the form of a giro form.
Instruction for Swedbank account registration (pdf)
If you are waiting for a Swedish bank account or do not have one, it is good to have money transferred to the bank account you used before you got to Sweden. Download and fill in the form below to register your foreign account. You can either send the form to the address below or leave it to the Payroll Office in D Building, Campus Valla.
Registering an account in Swedbank on a form (pdf)
You can also get your pay check as a check. Once you have arranged a Swedish bank account you can go to your bank and deposit your check there.
Payroll Office - Postal address
Linköping University
Payroll Office
SE-581 83 Linköping
Sweden
Arriving at the university
Our campuses
LiU has four campuses. Campus Valla and University Hospital Campus in Linköping, Campus Norrköping, and Campus Lidingö in Stockholm.
Campus Valla is the oldest and largest campus of Linköping University with students from many programmes and research in many fields. Campus Valla is located about three kilometres from Linköping city centre.
The University Hospital Campus (US) is located within walking distance of Linköping town centre. Here you find education and research in medicine, healthcare and public health.
Campus Norrköping is centrally located in the Industrial Landscape in Norrköping, the town’s old industrial precinct alongside the Motala River. There are about 5000 students here who study everything from healthcare and communication to teaching and engineering programmes.
Malmstens Linköping University is located on the island of Lidingö just outside central Stockholm. At Campus Lidingö, Linköping University offers undergraduate programmes in Furniture Design, Cabinetmaking and Furniture Upholstery.
Read more:
Campus Valla
Campus US
Campus Norrkoping
Campus Lidingo
How to get to campus
Linköping and Norrköping are situated 200/160 km south-west of Stockholm, in the county of Östergötland. There are multiple ways to travel to the county of Östergötland and our campuses.
Read more: How to get to campus
LiU-card
The LiU-card is a campus card for students and employees with multiple functions. The card can be used as an access card on the campuses, as a borrower’s card at all LiU libraries to obtain printouts and copying services, and for in-service travel on the campus bus. Information on how to get your LiU-card is provided by the department or division.
Authorised access to premises and the information about you will remain active as long as you are a staff (or registered student) at LiU.
Internet
LiU offers students, staff and guests a wireless internet connection at its campuses.
Eduroam is a global partnership of academic institutions that facilitates the sharing of wireless networks. A student or employee of a participating university can log in by using the home university username to the wireless network at all other participating Eduroam institutions.
Being a part of LiU
Employee benefits
As an employee at LiU you have access to several employee benefits and types of insurance.
Read more: Employee benefits
Unions
Trade unions have a strong presence in Swedish work life and have a mission to help improve the working conditions of its members.
There are several different trade unions you can join as a member of staff at LiU. Here are some examples of trade unions that are active at LiU.
SULF
The Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF) is a non-political organisation and the only professional and union association that is completely dedicated to the professional and work-related issues of doctoral candidates, research staff and university teachers. They negotiate, inform, debate and influence the development of higher education and research.
Read more: The Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers
Saco
Saco, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations, is a politically independent central organisation with 21 unions. Saco promotes its members' interests and supports its unions through analyses, debates and shaping opinion. The confederation conducts studies and publishes reports, arranges seminars and activities, and participates in many different contexts to influence political decision-making.
Read more: Saco
ST
Fackförbundet ST (the Union of Civil Servants) is Sweden’s only union that solely focuses on organising employees within state agencies. ST is convinced that everyone benefits from being members in the same union rather than belonging to different unions based on profession.
Read more: Fackförbundet ST
Swedish language courses for university employees
The university offers Swedish language courses at the levels A1/A2, B1, B2 and C1. These courses are for university employees only.
Depending on the number of participants the teaching format varies from individual or small group tutoring to a regular course format.
Please sign up as soon as possible and no later than the following deadlines:
- Spring semester courses: 15 January for the regular spring semester courses and 10 December for the intensive courses in January.
- Autumn semester courses: 18 August for the regular autumn semester courses and 16 June for the intensive courses in August.
The number of participants is limited, and applications will be considered in the order they are received. Level placement will be based on the self-estimates of the participants. If you are uncertain of your level, please use the contact details in the application form to book a consultation or a level placement test. In case of a lower number of participants, we will try to offer individual or small-group tutoring. As these courses comes with a cost for the department, please make sure you have an approval from your manager.
Application
Please use the digital application form. If possible, provide a self-estimate of your previous knowledge of Swedish. If you are not an absolute beginner, please try to describe your language level according to the common reference levels of the European Commission, ranging from A1 to C2.
Common European framework of reference for languages
Application form
Contact
If you are interested to know more, please use the contact details below.
Study adviser: jonas.johansson@liu.se
Course coordinator: monika.lopez.wall@liu.se
Director of studies: per.simfors@liu.se
LiU supports and inspires you
EURAXESS
EURAXESS - Researchers in Motion is a pan-European initiative delivering information and support services to professional researchers regardless of their career stage. Backed by the European Union and its Member States, it supports researcher mobility and career development, while enhancing scientific collaboration between Europe and the world.
LiU is a EURAXESS Centre and since January 2023, LiU is coordinating the EURAXESS Sweden network and will hold the tole for three years.
EURAXESS web portal
The web portal is a platform for researchers, entrepreneurs, universities and businesses to interact with each other on a global scale. The portal proposes registered users with matching collaboration, job and hosting opportunities and introduces a funding database, where research funding agencies are invited to enter national research funding opportunities. There researchers can also find tools to develop their research careers, both within and outside academia.
Contact details for Departments at LiU
The Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning (IBL)
The Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV)
The Department of Biomedical Engineering (IMT)
The Department of Computer and Information Sciences (IDA)
The Department of Culture and Society (IKOS)
The Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY)
The Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences (HMV)
The Department of Management and Engineering (IEI)
The Department of Mathematics (MAI)
The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)
The Department of Science and Technology (ITN)
The Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA)
The Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA) - for guest researchers
Guest researchers TEMA
Contact for guest researchers at TEMA.