The Student Life at Chalmers
The student life at Chalmers consists of a large number of groups, events, and terminology, and it's very difficult to grasp the full extent of everything before you start. Here’s a small taste of what happens around campus and in our section.
Cortègen
Cortègen is the carnival parade that takes place along the streets of Gothenburg every year on April 30th (Valborgsmässoafton). The parade consists of floats mounted on truck beds, reflecting various events and news from the past year—all built by students and presented with a large dose of Gothenburg humor.
This period is one of the most exciting of the year. The week leading up to Valborg is filled with celebrations, parties, and an incredible atmosphere across the entire campus. Cortègen is the largest annual student event in the Nordic region, with an estimated audience of around 250,000 people!
It is said that you’re not a true Chalmerist until you have built a Cortège float.
Committees & Societies
The terms committee and association both refer to a smaller group of students with a specific purpose. A committee is appointed by a section or by Chalmers Student Union to carry out a particular task, while an association is created on the initiative of individual students.
At Chalmers, these types of groups are everywhere, and they do everything from running pubs and organizing career fairs to building robots. All Chalmers associations and committees are characterized by a strong sense of community, and participating in their events—or even joining one yourself—is an easy way to have an amazing time and make lifelong friends!
Read more about the Industrial Engineering division's committees/societies here and the Student Union’s committees/associations here.
Pubrunda
The first Thursday of each study period—which means four times a year—all pubs and bars across Chalmers' campus open their doors. Around 20 bars are available for you to explore. Each one has its own unique charm, but student-friendly prices, friendly staff, and a great atmosphere are guaranteed at every single one.
It’s a perfect opportunity to discover new parts of campus and meet people from other sections. How many pubs can you check off your list?
Events on the
I-division
It would be far too long to list all the events that take place throughout the year, so here are the biggest ones:
The reception
A four-week period dedicated to "nollan", the newly admitted students at Chalmers. Every day during the introduction period consists of one or two events, ranging from the wildest themed sittings to outdoor activities and networking with future employers.
If you're starting at Chalmers, these will likely be four of the most memorable and fun weeks of your life, all designed to give you the best possible start to student life.
The Bond-weekend
A long weekend where the Industrial Engineering section's drinks and culture committee, drIkk, invites various other societies—both from Chalmers and other universities in Sweden—for a three-day event packed with formal dinners, dancing, saunas, and partying.
The event culminates on Saturday with what is likely Sweden’s most epic soapbox car race.
The Spring Ball
The Industrial Engineering section's traditional spring ball is often held on Marstrand. At least once a year, we all feel the urge to wear the tuxedo or ball gown that has been hanging in the closet—so take the opportunity and make sure you’ve mastered your waltz steps!
