The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Certificate of international merits

Faculty of Social Sciences

A Certificate of International Merits (CIM) will give you as a student a unique opportunity to strengthen your academic, personal, and professional development. By participating in various activities of an international character, you collect “merits” that lead to a “Certificate of International Merits,” a certificate issued alongside your academic degree which is reported into your Diploma Supplement.

A pair of glasses atop a world map. Photo.
By participating in various international activities, both abroad and in Sweden, you collect “merits” that lead to a “Certificate of International Merits”. Photo: Pixabay

Develop yourself internationally – both in terms of personal growth and your professional career

The Certificate of International Merits (CIM) is a certificate that describes the international activities you have participated in during your academic studies. This is a combination of activities taking place abroad and in Sweden, and may be one with either a short duration or something over a longer period. For example, you may have participated in an international conference, been a mentor to an international exchange student or, via an active choice, done parts of your education abroad.

By participating, you:

  • make your international credentials visible
  • develop your intercultural understanding
  • stimulate yourself to build international networks
  • prepare for working in an international environment.

Get started with CIM

Instructions on how to proceed and what is required

Collect international activities in Sweden and abroad

You need to participate in at least three international activities to be eligible to apply for a CIM. At least one activity must take place abroad and at least one activity in Sweden. See some examples of activities via the links below:

Activities in Sweden – definitions and guidelines

Activities abroad – definitions and guidelines

How do I go about finding international activities?

We encourage you to be active yourself and actively search for activities.

There are several ways to find activities to achieve your certificate, such as via the following web sites:

You can also develop an activity on your own. Please note: If you choose to develop an activity on your own, before going very far with this, it should be assessed by the CIM contact person at your department.

Faculty contact

Faculty International Office
outgoing [at] sam [dot] lu [dot] se 

Department contacts

School of Social Work
Anneli Nielsen
anneli [dot] nielsen [at] soch [dot] lu [dot] se

Read more about CIM on School of Social Work's website

Service studies
Annika Permevik
studievagledning [at] ism [dot] lu [dot] se

Sociology of Law
Anna Sonander
anna [dot] sonander [at] soclaw [dot] lu [dot] se

Strategic Communication
Frida Hessel
frida [dot] hessel [at] isk [dot] lu [dot] se

Please note that CIM certificates do not apply to programmes that already have elements of international experience built into the syllabus.

Why CIM?

The primary purpose of the CIM – Certificate of International Merits – is to highlight the students’ concrete international experiences and make them more visible and disseminated; as this will be regarded as an important part of internationalisation in Sweden. Taking advantage of these reflected experiences benefits not only the student yourself, but also fellow students, our Departments, and Lund University as a whole.

CIM was established by the Faculty of Medicine in 2014 as a pilot project at Lund University. The School of Social Sciences was inspired; it began to further develop the CIM at the Department and launched CIM as a pilot project in spring 2017 when the first certificates were awarded. In November 2016, the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences decided that all Departments at the Faculty would offer a CIM.  Therefore in 2019, the CIM programme will be launched at the entire Faculty.