Exciting that you want to apply to be this year's student city! One of Sweden's finest awards that several cities have proudly worn since 1999! Last year it was Kristianstad that was awarded the prize - will it be you this year?
Application
The application for Student City of the Year 2025 is made via e-mail. Below is an account of the questions we would like answers to so that you can more easily prepare your answers. If you have material you would like to supplement with, there is the possibility of this by attaching attachments to the application.
The application must consist of descriptions of how the city achieves the criteria that SFS considers to be of great importance in order to be considered a good student city. The criteria are dealt with in three different sections with associated questions and examples that provide support for answering the section. It is possible to attach appendices to strengthen the sections. Examples could be strategies from the municipality/university/student union. All attachments must be referred to in the application.
The students, the municipality and a higher education institution are the smallest joint applicant for the award, otherwise an application is not considered valid. More parties, such as other parts of the public sector and business, are welcome to be co-applicants. SFS assesses the application based on what has been done, what is being done and what is planned to be done. A tip is therefore to think along these lines when filling in each section.
This year's criterion
A student city to study, live and thrive in
This year's student city should be a good environment to study, live and thrive in. The city has an active work to offer secure access to functional student housing with reasonable rent. There is good access to leisure activities, recreation, green areas and convenient transport options to and from campus. There are good opportunities for a rewarding working life and existence in the city after the studies.
A student city to get involved in
This year's student city will have a functioning and inclusive student influence, where students' perspectives and initiatives are utilized at all different levels. The student perspective is included in decision-making processes in society that affect students. Initiatives from the students are promoted and taken advantage of.
A student city that enables collaboration
This year's student city must demonstrate a well-functioning collaboration between the university, student union, municipality, region, and working life, where students' situation and needs are in focus. The various actors are helped to bring about investments that lead to concrete improvements in the lives of the students and for the future of the student town. The students are seen as a given collaboration partner and key in the city's development.
schedule
- 11 September – call for tenders opens.
- October 25 - call closes. Processing of applications and implementation of site visits.
- 8 December – decision on the appointment of Student City of the Year 2025.
- January 2025 – announcement of Student City of the Year 2025.
Questions
For questions, please contact [email protected].
We look forward to your application!
The jury for Student City of the Year 2025 consists of SFS chairman Rasmus Lindstedt and board members Adrian Ryberg & Hugo Diebitsch Antoni.
The different parts of the application
1. Formalities
- Who is behind the application, and
- Contact information for them.
2. A student city to study, live and enjoy
This year's student city should be a good environment to study, live and thrive in. The city has an active work to offer secure access to functional student housing with reasonable rent. There is good access to leisure activities, recreation, green areas and convenient transport options to and from campus. There are good opportunities for a rewarding working life and existence in the city after the studies.
Question 1: How are conditions created for students to be able to study, live and enjoy themselves in the city - both during and after their studies?
Question 2: How is the situation of doctoral students and international students taken into account?
Question 3: Which collaborations and initiatives with a clear student focus have been made or are ongoing in the region? How do students benefit from these collaborations?
3. A student town to get involved with
This year's student city will have a functioning and inclusive student influence, where students' perspectives and initiatives are utilized at all different levels. The student perspective is included in decision-making processes in society that affect students. Initiatives from the students are promoted and taken advantage of.
Question 4: What does your city do to support student engagement?
4. A student city that enables cooperation
This year's student city demonstrates a well-functioning collaboration between the university, the student union, the municipality, the region, and working life, where the students' situation and needs are in focus. The various actors are helped to bring about new investments that bring about concrete improvements in the lives of the students and for the future of the student town.
Question 5: How does your city enable cooperation?
5. SFS full council meeting 2026
SFS's council is the Swedish National Union of Students' highest decision-making body and is organized in the city that is named Student City of the Year. More questions about arranging the SFS council meeting in 2026 will come later in the process. The meeting takes place between April 15 and May 15 and usually takes place from Thursday to Sunday.
Question 6: What does the opportunity and willingness to host SFSFUM 2026 look like? How would you leave your mark on the event?
6. Would you like to tell us something more?
If you send attachments, please describe them here!
Question 7: Is there anything else that you would like to inform or tell us about?
7. Thank you for your application!
The application is sent to [email protected] no later than October 25.