Exciting that you want to apply to become Student City of the Year! One of Sweden's finest awards that several cities have proudly carried since 1999! Last year it was Kristianstad that was awarded the award - will it be you this year?
Application
The application for Student City of the Year 2025 is made via email. Below is an account of the questions we would like answers to so that you can prepare your answers more easily. If you have material you would like to supplement, there is the possibility of this by attaching attachments to the application.
The application should consist of descriptions of how the city achieves the criteria that SFS considers to be of great importance for being considered a good student city. The criteria are discussed 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 appendices should be referred to in the application.
The students, the municipality and a higher education institution are the minimum joint applicant parties 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 the respective sections.
Criterion of the year
A student city to study, live and enjoy
This year's student city should be a good environment to study, live and enjoy. The city is actively working to offer secure access to functioning 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 life in the city after studies.
A student city to get involved in
The student city of the year should have a functioning and inclusive student influence, where the student's perspective and initiative are taken advantage of at all different levels. The student perspective is included in decision-making processes within society that affect students. Initiatives from students are promoted and taken advantage of.
A student city that enables collaboration
This year's student city should demonstrate a well-functioning collaboration between the university, student union, municipality, region, and working life, where the situation and needs of students are in focus. The various actors help each other to achieve investments that bring about concrete improvements in the lives of students and for the future of the student city. The students are seen as a given partner and key to the city's development.
schedule
- September 11 – call for applications opens.
- October 25 – call for applications closes. Processing of applications and implementation of site visits.
- December 8 – decision on the nomination 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 enjoy. The city is actively working to offer secure access to functioning 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 life in the city after 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: What collaborations and initiatives with a clear student focus have been made or are underway in the region? How do students benefit from these collaborations?
3. A student city to get involved in
The student city of the year should have a functioning and inclusive student influence, where the student's perspective and initiative are taken advantage of at all different levels. The student perspective is included in decision-making processes within society that affect students. Initiatives from students are promoted and taken advantage of.
Question 4: What is your city doing to support student engagement?
4. A student city that enables collaboration
This year's student city demonstrates a well-functioning collaboration between the university, student union, municipality, region, and working life, where the situation and needs of students are in focus. The various actors help each other to achieve new initiatives that bring concrete improvements to the lives of students and to the future of the student city.
Question 5: How does your city enable collaboration?
5. SFS General Assembly Meeting 2026
The SFS General Council is the highest decision-making body of the Swedish National Union of Students and is arranged in the city that is nominated as Student City of the Year. More questions about arranging the SFS General Council meeting in 2026 will come later in the process. The meeting takes place between April 15 and May 15 and is usually held on a Thursday to Sunday.
Question 6: What does the opportunity and willingness to host SFSFUM 2026 look like? How would you put your mark on the event?
6. Would you like to tell us anything more?
If you send attachments, please describe them here!
Question 7: Is there anything else 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 25th.