About the campus and your studies
Here you find useful information about the university campus, about what you should think about prior to and during your clinical placements and your studies with us.
Practical information about our campus
The campus is located south of Stockholm in an area called Flemingsberg (see map), part of Huddinge Municipality. The easiest way to get here from Stockholm City is by commuter train, which is part of the city's public transportation network. You can, however, also come here by bus.
- Closest train station: Flemingsberg
- Closest bus station: Huddinge Sjukhus
- Information about Campus Flemingsberg
Wifi
You can connect your computer to the Swedish Red Cross University wifi network, called eduroam.
Food
There is no university canteen at the Swedish Red Cross University but there are several cafes around the Swedish Red Cross University area, as it is surrounded by other universities and colleges. However, you will probably find that eating out is a lot more expensive than at home, and most commonly people bring homemade food to the university and to the clinical placements. Most establishments provide fridges and microwaves for their students/staff to use.
About your studies at the Swedish Red Cross University
Upon arrival on your first day you will meet with one of the international coordinators, who will inform you about your studies and about how to access the university web system. You will also be registered at the courses you are going to study. For this you will be asked to show valid identifcation (for example passport) so remember to bring that!
A course at the Swedish Red Cross University can be either only theoretical or include both theoretical teaching and clinical education. It is common that a course starts with a couple of days of theoretical teaching in the class room, followed by a few weeks of clinical education at a clinic/hospital, and finally with an exam taking place at the end of the module.
Courses at the Swedish Red Cross University are run in modules, which means that students are enrolled in one course/class at a time for a specific period (usually 5-8 weeks). At the end of each course there is a written, oral and/or practical exam that treats the content of that specific course. All our courses are full time (40 hours per week), however this does not mean that students have 40 hours of scheduled classes. Included in that time are also all non-scheduled activities, the students' own reading, written assignments, group work and other learning activities are included.
To contact course leaders, access roll call information as well as information about the course contents and clinical education, please visit the course website on Canvas (our web-based learning management system) corresponding to the course/s you have been admitted to.
The academic year structure
The academic year in Sweden and at the Swedish Red Cross University is divided into two semesters; the autumn and spring semesters, 20 weeks each.
The academic year and the fall semester at the Swedish Red Cross University starts at the end of August and ends the third week of January. The spring semester starts the fourth week of January, immediately after the end of the autumn semester, and ends the second week of June.
Academic writing
Many students traveling to Sweden find that the studies are different from what they are used to. Much emphasis is placed on critical analysis and applying new knowledge to different situations. For information about academic writing and the reference system used at the Swedish Red Cross University:
You can find information about plagiarism here:
The library
The Swedish Red Cross University is affiliated with the Södertörn University Library.
Clinical education
During the clinical education within a course you will be based at a specific hospital ward or health care centre. One of the nurses there will be your supervisor and s/he will give you a schedule for your time there. You should conduct 32 hours of clinical placement for four days a week. One full day per week is devoted for theoretical studies and this can be either lectures at the university or individual time for reading and writing. Within the course Global Nursing you will however devote 2 full weeks (that is five days per week) for field study in a health environment.
Assessment
The supervisor will assess your performance at the clinical placement through an assessment form for clinical practice, which you and the supervisor fill in together in the middle and at the end of your clinical period.
Grading scale
60 credits (hp) represent a full academic year. The system is compatible with ECTS credits (the European Credit Transfer System) as one credit is equal to one ECTS credit.
At the Swedish Red Cross University there are two types of grading scales:
1. Grading scale: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U)
2. Grading scale: Pass (G), Fail (U)
Professional secrecy
All health care professionals, including nursing students, are bound by professional secrecy!
"When turning to the Swedish health care system, it is important to feel confidence in the healthcare professionals you meet. This confidence is crucial to feel safe and to be able to openly talk about ailments and symptoms in order to receive the treatment needed. That is why all healthcare professionals within the Swedish health care system are bound by professional secrecy. The fundamental principle is that no one in the health care system is permitted to release information without the patient's consent. This applies to information regarding a patient's disease, treatment, or personal situation.
The obligation to Professional Secrecy is regulated by the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act for those who work within the Swedish government, the county councils, and the municipalities, while those who work for a private caregiver are regulated by the rules of confidentiality stated in the Patient Safety Act. Those who violate the obligation to professional secrecy can be charged in court, or charged through other means by the authorities that regulate the Swedish Healthcare System.
All health care professionals are bound by professional secrecy amongst each other. Only those who treat the same patient are permitted to talk to each other regarding the patient's condition or personal situation. I.e. health care professionals are only permitted to discuss a patient's treatment with another colleague if they are both treating the same patient.
The obligation to professional secrecy concerns all professionals within the Swedish health care system, regardless of whether it is within public or private health care, and regardless of whether they are doctors, nurses, or administrative personnel. Pharmacists are also bound to professional secrecy.”
- Read more about Professional Secrecy and Confidentiality at 1177.se
- Students' access to patient data in Stockholm County Council
Practical information about your clinical placements
It is very important that you arrive on time! If you are sick and have to stay at home, you need to call your clinical placement with anticipation and let them know.
You will be provided a uniform at the clinical placement, but you need to bring your own shoes to wear inside. You should also bring a pad lock (for the locker where you will put your clothes/bag during your shift. Pad locks can be bought at any Clas Ohlson shop) and lunch (most staff at the clinics bring their own lunch to work and you will have access to microwave ovens).
Do not use your cell phone during the shift!
Remember to sign the attendance list so a full record of your presence is available after your clinical training period.
Information for incoming international students and staff