Students on exchange pay in-state tuition directly to USC and do not pay tuition to Gothenburg. All housing, food, and personal expenses are paid by the student in Gothenburg. As a smaller city in Sweden, students will find Gothenburg is more affordable than Stockholm. Students should plan to budget SEK 10,000–14,000​ a month including housing costs. The actual cost can differ depending on the student’s lifestyle. To get an idea of​ ​life on site, you will find on the numbeo website indications on the cost of living in Sweden compared to other countries in the world.

Full-time study at Gothenburg equals two courses per quarter (four courses per semester). Students may take a fifth course if it is one of the language courses, Swedish I or Swedish II.

To see courses USC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table. 

Students have the opportunity to meet local students using the Student Buddies program.  There is also plenty of room for individual travel as well as excursions organized through the program. Gothenburg's great location makes travel to places like Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen very easy. Golf, skiing, backpacking and canoeing are ideal pastimes in this lush green country. On top of this, Gothenburg offers campus restaurants and student unions and associations (clubs) for everyone to enjoy. 

Per university policy, all USC students will be charged for  emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance of  for their time abroad. Students will be enrolled in this insurance by the education abroad office prior to their departure. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details.

 Students may arrange housing through the university or seek accommodation on their own. The university rents apartments and rooms from the city and private housing companies for its students. Rent usually includes electricity, heating, and water and ranges from 1800 to 3000 SEK per month. Housing costs are paid to Gothenburg and vary based on location, size, furniture, etc. University housing is not guaranteed and students may be required to secure temporary housing until their student accommodation is available. 

Gothenburg's academic calendar is different than USC's; the fall semester goes from late August to mid January. The spring semester extends from mid January to early June.

During the first week of every semester, Gothenburg organizes a welcome week for the international students, which is obligatory. This week contains a number of activities such as an introduction to the Swedish language and culture, study visits, presentations of the student unions, and other important organizations at the school. 

 Students that attend Gothenburg for a semester or for an academic year are required to obtain a Swedish resident permit prior to departure.