WELCOME TO THE COURSE
Welcome to studies at Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå University. My name is Alejandro Haiek Coll and I am the course responsible teacher. On this page you will find important information that will be useful, so please read through it carefully. If you have any questions, you can use the contact form below. We wish you a warm welcome and hope that you will enjoy your period of studies here in Umeå.
As a new student, you need to activate your user account (your Umu-id) approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
With your user account you can:
If you are a new student, you will automatically receive a user account when you are admitted, but you will need to activate it for it to function properly. You will not be able to activate it until approximately two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Install MFA for a more secure login
To increase security and reduce the risk of unauthorised access to your information or account, students must enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to log in to various systems, such as Canvas and the Student Web.
I want to activate my user account and install MFA
If you are an exchange student or tuition fee paying student, you will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your account.
If you are having problems activating your account or logging in, please contact our Servicedesk. You will find answers to common questions, and can submit enquiries.
You need to be registered for the courses in the study documentation system to be able to follow the courses and to get your results recorded during the course. Online registration via Ladok has been extended and is now open between 8 - 24 January. If you do not register by January 24 at the latest, you risk losing your place (seat) at the course.
Please note! To be able to sign in to Ladok and register online, you must first have activated your Umu-id account.
If you have problems creating your Umu ID or have forgotten your login details, you must contact IT support as soon as possible.
Course start
Course materials will be published on Canvas on Monday 15 January. Students should familiarize themselves with the materials and schedule, and write a short introduction to themselves. The first live session with all students will take place online 15.00-17.00 Wednesday 17 January.
Wednesday 17 January between 15.00-17.00 there will be an introduction meeting on Zoom (a digital tool for online teaching). It is important to attend this meeting. You will find the zoom-link and more information before the meeting in Canvas.
Are you unable to attend?
If you are unable to attend the meeting on Wednesday 17 January, or want to withdraw your place on the course, please notify us by sending an e-mail to info@arch.umu.se
Learning platform Canvas
The course does not have any mandatory meetings on campus, you will find everything you need regarding the course in the learning platform Canvas. You can also discuss things with your instructor and classmates there.
The course site in Canvas will be published a few days before the course starts. Please note that you must activate your account (Umu-id) before you can log in to Canvas.
This course is delivered entirely online. No presence in Umeå is required.
Geopolitical, social, and environmental concerns will be the context of our exploration during the semester. The course starts by analysing pattern geographies: territories, ecologies, industries and regional inhabitation, addressing how they can be affected by humans from the molecular to the planetary scale. Students will generate territorial analysis and regional visions. These complementary agendas will provide a wider understanding of available human and environmental resources and technological possibilities.
The course will operates as a research platform combining new digital methods, using open-source technologies and traditional cartographies. The course will develop a comprehensive number of models and simulations building a library of experiments able to lead the research progressively and holistically.
We are pleased that you have decided to study at Umeå School of Architecture (UMA). We hope that you will find that you have made the right choice to gain skills for your future life. We also hope that you will enjoy your time and studies here at Umeå University!
The school is characterised by a vision to work on both local and global contexts. We are located in the north of Sweden, in a rural and relatively sparsely populated region, in a time of extensive globalisation. Our teachers come from within the region as well as from other parts of the world, something that open possibilities for a broad and diverse perspective.
Our aim is to educate future architects that can work for social change, towards a sustainable society, departing from an ethical approach to the profession. We want to educate architects that in their profession are characterized by a social responsibility towards the world they operate in.
Umeå School of Architecture was founded in 2009 and presently has about 300 students in first and second-cycle courses. We are a part of Umeå Arts Campus, a creative environment for research, education and events within architecture, art and design.
If you have any questions regarding the content of the course, please contact the course responsible teacher Alejandro Haiek Coll.
If you have questions regarding the administrative parts (for example about your admission or online registration), please contact our study administration at info@arch.umu.se
Checklist for admitted students
Follow this simple list of things to complete your enrolment at Umeå University. It includes: how to secure housing, getting a residence permit (for citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), tuition payment (if applicable), travel directions and more.
The Student web
The website for current students has all sorts of information about services, support, legal and practical matters at Umeå University. You can sign in to the learning platforms, see your schedule and course overview, get a study certificate, apply for a degree or sign up for an examination.
Recommended arrival times
International students are recommended to arrive at least a few days before the start of the regular semester, preferably prior to the Orientation. If you fail to arrive on time, you have to contact the study counselor as soon as possible, but no later than one week ahead of the course start, or you may not be able to register for the programme or course.
If you will have student housing through the Housing Office at Umeå University you will receive information about your arrival in your offer of housing.
Don't forget - Umeå has cold winters, so pack accordingly with a warm jacket, warm shoes, gloves and hat.
Orientation
Moving to a new country with an unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be a challenge. We would like to help you and ease that challenge so that you can focus on your studies. Therefore, we would like to offer you the possibility to take part in our Orientation, which begins a few days before the start of the semester (Autumn) or the same day as the semester starts (Spring).
Welcome Fair
Are you a new student at Umeå University? Visit the Welcome Fair – a perfect opportunity to learn what our university and Umeå can offer. The fair normally takes place in the beginning of each semester.
Get your UmU card
When you are on Campus Umeå, Umeå Arts Campus or Campus Örnsköldsvik, you will need a UmU card. The card has the following functions:
To get the card, you need to apply for it. Here’s how to apply for the UmU card.
Join a student union
There are three student unions at Umeå University:
They are actively involved so that fellow students have a high quality of education, good working environment, and fun leisure time.
Access to Microsoft Office 365
Students at Umeå University have free access to the programmes of Microsoft Office 365. This means that you have access to Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Whiteboard Forms, your student email and other services which can facilitate your studies and your collaboration with other students. To access Office 365 you need to activate your UmU-id.
Learn more about Office 365 and how to install it on your computer