Corona virus FAQ – newly admitted students
This page contains answers to frequently asked questions concerning international students who have been admitted for studies starting in autumn 2020 and spring 2021.
The page will be updated regularly. Due to continuously changed regulations and directives from the Swedish Government, the Public Health Agency and decisions taken by the University, many questions cannot be answered at this time and some answers will change before the start of the semester. Please keep yourself updated on this page and our pages for admitted students in case there should be any changes.
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Will the studies be campus-based or online-based during the spring semester 2021?
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Will I be able to start my course online in the spring semester 2020?
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Will the studies be campus-based or online-based during the autumn semester 2020?
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Will I be able to start my programme or course online in the autumn semester 2020?
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I have been admitted but I will not be able to start my studies due to the Covid-19 outbreak, what can I do?
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I am worried I will not be able to come in time for the start of the semester, what can I do?
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Can I defer my studies if I cannot attend the University in spring 2021, due to Covid-19?
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Will I be reimbursed if choose not to study at Halmstad Univeristy this autumn?
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Will I be reimbursed if I registered and/or attended online classes?
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Will the tuition fee be repaid if my application for a residence permit is rejected?
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Will the tuition fee be less if I choose to study the programme/course online?
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Will the corona crisis affect my application for a residence permit for studies?
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What are the consequences of the current travel ban to/from Sweden?
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When should I buy my tickets?
Measures taken by Halmstad University
Halmstad University has appointed a Crisis Management Group to continuously monitor the situation concerning Covid-19 and to manage overall issues connected with the virus outbreak.
Halmstad University is following the Government’s and Swedish Public Health Authority’s recommendations regarding measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, as they are announced.
Information for our current students is available at our Student web, which is regularly updated.
It’s important to remember that Swedish Higher Education Institutions are independent authorities, with different prerequisites and in charge of their own routines. It is therefore natural that various universities have different solutions to how the daily operations should be conducted, for example how to conduct education in this extreme situation.
Spring semester 2021
Questions related to the education
Will the studies be campus-based or online-based during the spring semester 2021?
The University Management has decided that education this spring will be campus-based, but with continuous limitations and elements of online education to secure that we can follow the governments’ recommendations.
The governments’ decision is valid until further notice, and it can’t be ruled out that online education as a rule can be applied again if the situation calls for it.
Will I be able to start my course online in the spring semester 2020?
Courses starting this spring will take place on campus. You will not be able to start your studies online.
Autumn semester 2020
Questions related to the education
Will the studies be campus-based or online-based during the autumn semester 2020?
As a result of the governments’ latest recommendations, the University Management has decided that education this autumn will be campus-based, but with continuous limitations and elements of distance education to secure that we can follow the restrictions.
The governments’ decision is valid until further notice, and it can’t be ruled out that distance education as a rule can be applied again if the situation calls for it.
Will I be able to start my programme or course online in the autumn semester 2020?
Education programmes starting this autumn will take take place on campus as normal. If you are unable to attend classes on campus, you will have the option to start your studies online in the beginning of the autumn semester (see below list of programmes and courses available for online studies).
You will have to make an active choice to study on campus, via distance (online) or cancel the admission and apply for a refund before August 31.
If you have registered for studies online, you cannot apply for refund of the tuition fee for these courses.
Programmes and courses where online studies will be an option:
- Master's programme in Energy Smart Innovation in the Built Environment (last registration day: 200914)
- Master's Programme in Industrial Management and Innovation (last registration day: (last registration day: 201005)
- Master's Programme in Digital Service Innovation (last registration day: 200921)
- Master's Programme in Information Technology (last registration day: 200921)
- Master's Programme in Embedded and Intelligent Systems (last registration day: 200921)
- Master's Programme in Electronics Design (last registration day: 200928)
- Master's Programme in Network Forensics (last registration day: 200914)
- Master's Programme in Nordic Welfare (last registration day: 200921)
- Master's Programme in Strategic Entrepreneurship for International Growth (last registration day: 200914)
- Master's Programme in Mechanical Engineering (last registration day: 200921)
Programmes and courses where online studies will NOT be an option:
- Master’s Programme in Applied Environmental Science (last registration day: 200914)
- Media, Communication and Lifestyle (last registration day: 200907)
- Research and Applied Work in Sport and Exercise Psychology (last registration day: 200907)
- Network Design and Computer Management (last registration day: 200914)
- To Work as an Applied Sport Psychologist, Group and Individuals (last registration day: 200907)
I have been admitted but I will not be able to start my studies due to the Covid-19 outbreak, what can I do?
If you no longer wish to start your studies you should cancel your admission at University Admissions and notify Student Affairs department so that your place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
I am worried I will not be able to come in time for the start of the semester, what can I do?
If you cannot arrive in time for the start of the spring semester, please contact the Student Affairs Department to discuss your situation. The programmes and courses have different deadlines for registration. Ask about the latest date possible to register and to show up for classes, or what options you have. Please keep in mind that it is still quite a long time until the semester starts, and a lot of things can change. If you intend to start your studies on time, you should wait with notifying us of late arrival until you are certain of the situation.
Can I defer my studies if I cannot attend the University in spring 2021, due to Covid-19?
The University has decided not to grant deferment of studies due to Covid-19.
Questions regarding payments and refunds (for non-EU/EEA students)
Will I be reimbursed if choose not to study at Halmstad Univeristy this autumn?
If you cancel your admission before August 31, you will be fully reimbursed (no administrative costs).
Will I be reimbursed if I registered and/or attended online classes?
If you decided to register and attend online classes, you will not be reimbursed for these courses. You are only able to apply for refund for courses you have not registered for.
Will the tuition fee be repaid if my application for a residence permit is rejected?
The tuition fee is reimbursed for students whose residence permit application is rejected by the Swedish Migration Agency (if you have not registered and/or attended any classes).
If your application is rejected for reasons not connected to the outbreak of Covid-19, the tution fee will be reimbursed except for the administrative costs of 5000 SEK.
Tuition fee payment and regulations
Will the tuition fee be less if I choose to study the programme/course online?
No, the fee is the same.
Questions regarding residence permit (for non-EU/EEA students)
Will the corona crisis affect my application for a residence permit for studies?
As of now, the Swedish Migration Agency has not changed its policies with regards to international students applying for a residence permit for studies in Sweden. This means that these students are expected to continue to fulfil the requirements set by the Swedish Migration Agency. Due to limited availability at the embassys, the application process can be prolonged. Please contact the Migration Agency directly for questions regarding your application for residence permit.
Swedish Migration Agency website
What are the consequences of the current travel ban to/from Sweden?
Please keep yourself updated on the current travel restrictions via the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your home country's equivalent authority, to make sure it is safe for you to travel.
Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Border control travelling from Copenhagen
When should I buy my tickets?
Due to the uncertainty and travel restrictions, we recommend that you wait as long as possible with booking your trip. When buying any tickets, we encourage you to select rebookable/refundable tickets. The situation and travel restrictions may change rapidly.
About the situation in Sweden
The Swedish Government and Swedish authorities are following the spread of the corona virus very carefully and are working hard to keep Sweden and its residents safe. New measures are taken on a daily basis. Examples of measures taken include forbidding gatherings of more than 50 people, introducing travel restrictions to Sweden, and temporary transitioning higher education studies to distance learning, a ban on visitors to homes for the elderly has also been implemented. In addition, public announcements are made daily, instructing the public how to stay safe and how to best protect the elderly and other risk groups. Those who can are asked to work from home. Swedish authorities are collaborating closely and working proactively to prepare our healthcare system to ensure that it will have the capacity to offer care to infected individuals who need it.
Emergency information from Swedish authorities
Information about travel restrictions to and from Sweden
We also recommend that you follow the developments regarding the virus via the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
