A - Z

Borås

Borås is a medium size city with more than 112 000 inhabitants in the western part of Sweden. The city center is a pedestrian zone full of restaurants, cafes and shops next to the popular city park. The university is located in the city center with walking distance to several parks, a large shopping centre and several supermarkets. The city is world famous as a textile and fashion centre and has in recent years become known for its street art festival, no limits, where street artist from around the world have decorated facades around the city.

For information about restaurants, travel and activities, visit boras.com (external link). For information about the municipality and the services it offers, visit boras.se (external link).

Buses 

Local and regional public transportation is run by Västtrafik. Timetables and detailed information about prices and different tickets can be found on their website. Tickets can be bought at the Västtrafik service center located at Resecentrum (opposite the Central Station) or in most convenience stores. A single ticket within Borås costs 33 SEK, a monthly card costs 445 SEK for students (student ID is required) you can also buy a top-up card which you then use to pay with on the bus. Using a top-up card gives you a small discount on single tickets. For more information visit vasttrafik.se (external link)

You can also buy a single ticket on the bus. Please note that you cannot pay with cash on the buses, only with credit cards (Visa, Maestro, Mastercard) and Swedish debit cards. If you have a Swedish mobile phone operator you can download the app ToGo and buy tickets there.

Cash

Sweden has its own currency, the Swedish Crown (SEK) which is generally the only accepted currency. Most swedes prefer to pay with debit and credit cards and increasingly with mobile apps to carrying around cash. Most international card are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, cafes etc. In most cases, you can also pay with cash. Please note that you cannot pay with cash on most buses and trains, if you wish to do so, you need to buy your ticket before boarding.

Contact details

The University’s is located in the city center and consists of three buildings. The main building (Balder) is located at Allégatan 1 and it is here that you find the reception. You can call the reception at +46 33 435 40 00.

Contact the International Office

Contact information to university employees can be searched at the webpage Contact

Contact information and addresses to individuals and businesses can be searched at eniro.se (external link, Swedish only) or hitta.se (external link, Swedish only).

Date

The most common way of writing dates is day, month, year, i.e. 27.05.2019 or 27.05.19 meaning May 27, 2019

Driving 

Sweden, like most European countries, has right-hand traffic. In Sweden you have to be 18 years old and have a valid driver’s licence to be allowed to drive. A driver’s license from a county within the EU is valid. A driver’s license from a country outside the EU is valid for one year after registration in Sweden, after that you can apply for a Swedish driver’s license or an exemption as an international student. For more information on procedures and requirements, please consult the website of Transportstyrelsen (external link).

Drugs 

All types of narcotics are prohibited in Sweden. There are strong regulations against using and selling any kind of illegal drug.

Electricity

The main electricity type in Sweden is 220 volts and 50 cycles (Hz) and you may therefore need a transformer or an adapter for your electrical appliances.

Emergency

For Police, Ambulance, Fire department, dial 112 (no charge in phone booths)

Fika

This is a unique concept in Sweden, meaning “having a break” with colleagues, friends or fellow students. It means sitting down to talk about your day and having a coffee in good company and can also include eating pastries (fikabröd). You will soon learn that this is an integral part of living in Sweden.

ID cards 

In Sweden it is not mandatory to carry an official identification document we recommend that you have one with you most of the time. It is often required to access services, such as health care, picking up a package, buying alcohol and cigarettes or paying with a debit or credit card without a pin code. Passports and national ID cards with your name, signature, date of birth and photo are usually valid in everyday situations. If you need to identify yourself when contacting authorities, special requirements can apply. We recommend that you always check this information carefully and make sure you have the right documentation with you.

The University does not provide students with student identity cards. But if you become a member of the Student Union you will receive a student card (sometimes called “mecenatkort” in Swedish). This gives you access to many student discounts.

Language courses

The University of Borås offers Swedish language courses at both beginner's level and continuation level to international students already admitted. 

If you have a Swedish personal identity number you can study Swedish free of charge at SFI (Swedish for Immigrants). Read more about SFI at the municipalities website (external link, Swedish only)

Library 

At the university library students have access to course literature, academic journals and books as well as fiction. The library is also a meeting place with sofas and tables where students can study and work on group projects. See more information about opening hours and services at the university library's website.

Map services in Borås & Sweden

Free maps of Borås can be picked up at the university and in many public places such as libraries and the train stations. Google maps works well in Sweden. In addition to providing good maps and a directions, you can also find information about local businesses such as opening hours and reviews. Visit Google maps (external link)

Opening hours

The university is open from 7:00 until 16:00, the library building is open longer. As a registered student you will get a tag that gives you access to the student areas of the university 24h, every day of the week. For more information about the university opening hours visit the reception contact page.

Private businesses, such as shops, banks, cafes etc. are free to set their own opening hours and they can therefore be very different. The opening hours provided here are very general, for detailed opening hours, consult the website of the business or service provider in question. 

Most supermarkets open at 07-08 and close between 20 and 23 every day of the week, some have reduced opening hours on weekends. Retail is open from 10-18 on weekdays and 10-15 on Saturdays. The shopping centre “Knalleland” is open in Sundays. Service providers, such as banks and the tax office generally open at 10 and close between 15 and 16. Cafes are usually open at 8 and are open until 18 but many open earlier and close later. Most cafes open on Saturdays and some on Sundays, often with reduced opening hours.

Outdoor life 

The Swedish law of public access to private land gives you the opportunity to freely roam the countryside as long as you show respect for the wildlife. You can pick berries and mushrooms but not cut down trees or branches. There are many recreational areas in and around Borås (and the rest of Sweden) with signposted paths and walkways, as well as designated places for making up fire.

Pharmacies 

The pharmacy is called Apotek in Swedish. Apoteket handles prescription drugs as well as some hygiene products and over-the-counter drugs. Some over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, can be purchased in ordinary grocery stores.

Phone cards 

If you have a mobile phone you can buy a pre-paid card in one of the mobile phone stores. You will also receive one in the welcome folder provided during the Orientation Days. This card is called “kontantkort” and gives you a Swedish mobile phone number that you can use to call and recieve calls.

Police

You can find the local police station at Sandgärdsgatan 15 in Borås. Their phone number is 114 14. Asked to be transferred to Borås police station. If it is an emergency call 112.

Post

The Swedish Postal Service, called Postnord have outsourced their offices to convenience stores and supermarket. To locate one, look for a blue sign that says "Postnord" or consult the Postnord website (external link).

Public holidays 

The following days are public holidays in Sweden during 2023:

Jan 1 - New Year's Day
Jan 6 - Epiphany Day 
April 7 - Good Friday 
April 9 - Easter Sunday 
April 10 - Easter Monday
May 1 - May Day
May 18 - Ascension Day
May 28 - Whit Sunday 
June 6 - Sweden's National Day
June 23 - Midsummer´s Eve
June 24 - Midsummer's Day
Nov 4 - All Saint's Day
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Boxing Day
Dec 31 - New Year's Eve 

In Swedish calendars, Sundays and public holidays are written in red and it is common that they are referred to as "red days".

Queuing

Whenever you are in a shop waiting to buy something or waiting for service you are expected to wait in line. Many shops have installed queuing systems so instead of waiting in a line you take a number from a dispensing machine and wait until your number comes up on a display.

Restaurants, bars and cafés

If you need something to eat, there are cafés and restaurants in every city center. In residential areas, you can often find pizza or thai food but rarely more than that. Restaurants have the best selection but are the most expensive, cafés are cheaper but has a limited selection of food (often restricted to pastries, sandwiches, pies and salads), whereas bars mainly sell beverages and a few dishes. But this is just a general rule. Experiment to see what you find best!  

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any public places such as restaurants, bars, banks, post offices or in shops. From 1 July 2019, it will also be prohibited outside restaurants, bars and cafés.

Systembolaget

You will find that alcoholic beverages only can be bought at the Systembolaget - the government owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden. To be able to purchase at the Systembolaget you will have to prove your age (bring your passport), minimum 20 years are required. Be aware that drinking and driving is strictly prohibited in Sweden. 

Tipping

Tipping is not considered mandatory in Sweden. However, if you have good service from a restaurant or taxi it is considered standard practice to tip around 10 percent of the bill.

Tourist information 

The Tourist Information Centre can be found at: Österlånggatan 1-3, 503 15 Borås

Trains

SJ is the major Swedish train company running long distance traffic over almost all of Sweden. Visit sj.se (external link)

Water 

The tap water is of good quality and safe to drink.