Coronavirus FAQ for newly admitted students
Updated 2020-07-17
This page contains information for international students who have been admitted for studies at Kristianstad University starting in autumn 2020. There is no decision to delay the start of the autumn semester and introduction at the end of August 2020 due to COVID-19, however some adjustments have and will be made with regards to the current situation.
The page will be updated regularly throughout spring and summer 2020. Due to new 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.
Update 2020-07-03: When you get your residence permit for studies, you will be allowed to travel into Sweden, information in the text further down.
Update 2020-05-18: During the autumn semester, teaching activities at Kristianstad University will be conducted in a hybrid form, with a mixture of on-campus and distance studies. Information about the decision for the autumn semester.
About the situation in Sweden
The Swedish Government and Swedish authorities are following the spread of the coronavirus 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 at-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.
The total number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sweden is being tracked at the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s website, which is updated daily.
Public Health Agency of Sweden
Emergency information from Swedish authorities
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.
Measures taken by Kristianstad University
Kristianstad 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.
Kristianstad 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.
Following the government’s recommendation, all education and examination has been conducted via distance during spring 2020 and our staff work remotely. Some of the premises are still open with limited access.
For the autumn semester, teaching activities at Kristianstad University are planned to be conducted in a hybrid form, with a mixture of on-campus and distance studies.
Information for our students is available at our Student portal, which is regularly updated.
Questions related to the education
I have been admitted but I will not be able to start my studies due to the COVID-19 outbreak, what can I do?
Should you not be able to start your studies you should cancel your admission at University Admissions and notify Admissions office so that your place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
Email: admissions@hkr.se
I am admitted to an international programme and worried I will not be able to come in time for the start of the semester, what can I do?
The semester starts August 31 and you need to show up for classes no later than October 2. All classes will be online as well up to October 2.
To attend your programme you need to register according to information sent from university during summer. Latest day for registration is August 31.
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.
These are the current international programmes:
Bachelor Programme in Computer Science, specialization in Internet of Things
Bachelor Programme in Software Development
Master programme in Business Administration specialising in Auditing and Control
Master Programme in Business Administration specialising in International Business and Marketing
Master Programme in Computer Science, Emphasizing Sustainable Development
Master Programme Integrative Health Science
If you have registered for the online courses, you cannot apply for refund of the tuition fee for these courses.
What happens if the autumn semester 2020 is cancelled?
At this time, there are no indications that the autumn semester will be cancelled. We continue to follow the COVID-19 situation as it develops, as well as the Swedish governments recommendations. We will update this page if there is any change.
Will the studies be classroom-based or distance learning in the beginning of autumn semester 2020?
Kristianstad University has made a temporary transition to distance learning during spring 2020. There are currently no indications from the Swedish government that higher education must continue online for the autumn semester. Hence, we are planning for classroom-based studies in the autumn semester 2020. We continue to monitor and follow the COVID-19 situation and the governments recommendations. We will keep you updated, we recommend that you continue to check this page for new information.
Update 2020-05-18: During the autumn semester, teaching activities at Kristianstad University will be conducted in a hybrid form, with a mixture of on-campus and distance studies. Information about the decision for the autumn semester.
Will I be able to choose if I wish to start my studies via distance learning?
You can choose between starting the studies or declining the offered place. If you have paid the tuition fee and not registered or attended classes, you can apply for full reimbursement of the fee (no administrative costs).
You will have to decide if you wish to start your studies by June 15.
We will update this page if any changes.
What do I do if I belong to an at-risk group?
If you belong to an at-risk group according to the Public Health Agency Sweden’s list of groups at risk of serious illness, you must consult your doctor to have the individual risk assessed and validated.
After that you contact your course coordinator to learn about adjustment possibilities. If possible, with regard to the control documents, the pedagogical design of the study programme or course and possibilities within the faculty, individual adjustments can be made to ensure that you can carry through your studies without risking infection.
If your course coordinator makes the assessment that adjustments can not be made, you must evaluate your ability to participate. The alternative is to apply for approved leave from studies with guaranteed admission or, if you have not yet started your studies, to apply for deferment of studies.
Questions regarding payments and refunds (for non-EU/EEA students)
Will the payment deadline for tuition fees be changed?
The deadline is stated in the invoice. If you pay later, there is a risk that you will not have enough time to apply for and receive the residence permit before the start of the semester. We will update this page if there is any change.
Will I be reimbursed if the programme/course is cancelled?
The tuition fee will be fully repaid (no administrative costs) if the course or programme you have been admitted to is no longer offered.
Will I be reimbursed if the study form for the programme I have been admitted to changes from on-Campus to distance learning due to COVID-19?
If you already paid the fee and no longer want to start your studies due to the change of study form, you will be fully reimbursed (no administrative costs). This only applies if you have not registered and/or attended the classes. You must inform your decision to us as soon as possible or latest June 15.
If you have applied for the residence permit, you must also withdraw the application as you no longer meet the requirements for residence permit for studies.
Will I be reimbursed if I am quarantined and/or cannot start my studies due to the COVID-19?
If you already paid the fee, you will be fully reimbursed (no administrative costs). This only applies if you have not registered and/or attended the classes. You must inform your decision to us as soon as possible or latest June 15.
If you have applied for the residence permit, you must also withdraw the application as you no longer meet the requirements for residence permit for studies.
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 tuition fee will be reimbursed except for the administrative costs of 5000 SEK.
Will the tuition fee be less if the programme will be conducted through distance learning?
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 embassies, the application process can be prolonged. Kristianstad University will however continue to engage in dialogue with the Migration Agency to try and ensure that the needs of international students are accommodated for. Please contact the Migration Agency directly for questions regarding your application for residence permit.
Swedish Migration Agency website
Will I be allowed to enter Sweden if I have a residence permit for studies?
The Swedish government has announced new exceptions to the non-EU travel ban: if you have a new residence permit for studies, but have not yet moved to Sweden, you are allowed to enter the country.
More information:
www.studyinsweden.se/news/travel-ban-update
More questions?
If you have further questions you are weolcome to contact us on admissions@hkr.se