Transfer of credits

In the Higher Education Ordinance, it states that if you have completed certain higher education courses with a pass or have the equivalent professional experience, you have the right to transfer the credits to courses at another higher education institution. You may also get credits transferred for different subject courses completed at the same higher education institution.

If you have studied courses (or modules) at Umeå University or at a different higher education institution in Sweden or abroad, you can have the opportunity to transfer these course credits. This may mean that you do not need to study the equivalent course twice. In some cases, even relevant professional experience can be transferred to credits.

Often, transfer of credits is used when you wish to be awarded a degree from Umeå University, whether immediately or at a later date. For information about the requirements for the degree you intend to study, please contact the responsible subject or programme coordinator/equivalent at the department or unit. If you are unsure of who to contact, you will find departments and units via the link to the right.

When you believe that you already have corresponding merits for the course you otherwise would have studied at Umeå University, it is possible to have these credit transferred. This can be in the following cases:

• Courses or modules from another Swedish higher education institution or equivalent education provider.
• Courses or modules from another subject at Umeå University.
• Studies abroad.
• Occupational experience.

Usually you do not need to submit a specific application for transfer of credits if you:

• wish to use your completed, free standing courses to reach the total amount of credits needed for your intended degree (NB: Completed exchange studies must be credit transferred)
• have completed courses that you studied at another Swedish higher education institution, within the same main field of study as your intended degree

Rather than applying for credit transfer, you need only reference these courses when applying for the degree.

1. You must have been admitted to Umeå University and be currently studying here.
2. Your previous studies or occupational experience should primarily correspond to the course or programme you would otherwise have studied at Umeå University.
3. When applying for transfer of credits for prevous studies, the credits you wish to be transferred must be in form of completed courses or modules; i.e., you have received your final grade for the courses or modules.
4. Your application must be complete, containing the necessary documents (see below).

If your application isn´t completed within 60 days, your application will be cancelled.

There are no set dates for credit transfer applications. If you are applying for transfer of credits for the first course of the forthcoming semester, you should submit your application in good time before the course start.

When you are about to apply for transfer of credits, it is best if you contact the study advisor at the relevant department. There you can find help about how transfer of credits will affect your continued studies. If you are unsure of who to contact, you will find departments and units via the link to the right.

Applications for transfer of credits should be made on the relevant form to the right of this page. If you are applying for transfer of credits from both previous studies and occupational experience, you should fill in both forms.

You may fill in the form/forms on the computer before you print and sign it. In order to complete the application, you need to submit a number of documents (see below).

You need to send the completed forms with a number of documents (attested copies, not originals):

1. If you are applying for credit transfer of previously completed studies
   
   Enclose an Official Transcript of Records, which should contain information about the institution, course name, date, subject area, level, total credits and grade.
   
   Include the syllabus including reading list for the courses in question. For exchange students taking part in programmes at Umeå University, where the faculty/department (or equivalent) has conducted a prior evaluation, it is not necessary to include a syllabus or reading list.
   
   Where appropriate, your degree project/thesis should be included.


2. If you are applying for credit transfer of previous occupational experience
   
   Send a complete statement of the relevant skills and knowledge that you have acquired through occupational experience.
   
   You must also send a work certificate from the employer to support your statement. The work certificate should include the relevant duties, scope (% of full-time) plus the period of employment.

You are responsible for ensuring your application is complete. If necessary, we will contact you via e-mail to request any additional documents.

When your complete application has been received and you have been admitted to and are studying at Umeå University, a decision will be issued as soon as possible and no later than 60 days after submission.

The decision will be sent via e-mail to the address stated in your application.

Send your application to:

Umeå University
Student Services/Degree Evaluation Office
901 87 Umeå

You may also hand in your application in the Student reception at the 3rd floor in the Administration Building (Förvaltningshuset).

If your application for transfer of credits is partially or wholly rejected, you always have the right to appeal the decision. This should be submitted in writing and made to the Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH). The appeal should be sent to Umeå University within three weeks of the day you receive the decision. You must submit your requested changes, with explanations, to Umeå University and your case will be re-assessed.

If Umeå University maintains its previous decision, your appeal will be handed on together with the University's remarks to the Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH).

Send your appeal to:

Umeå University
Registry and Archive
901 87 Umeå

How to appeal (information leaflet)

For students liable for tuition fees

If you are studying within a programme and have been granted transfer of credits from previously completed studies or occupational experience, you are entitled to a reimbursement of your tuition fees for an amount equivalent to the transferred credits. More information about tuition fees can be found under the section 6.6 in the rules of procedure.
Handläggningsordning för studieavgifter och stipendier (only in Swedish; Rules of procedure for tuition fees and scholarships)