Study abroad in Copenhagen
Housing, Erasmus groups, universities, costs and student life for exchange students in Copenhagen.
Country
DenmarkStudent Budget
EUR 1,300 – 2,100/month
Transport Card
Rejsekort or DOT commuter card depending on zones; many students bike for daily trips
Population
About 660k municipality / over 1.4M urban area
City Vibe
Denmark's polished capital: world-class universities, bike-first daily life, strong English, serious design culture, and high costs that reward early housing planning.
Who loves this city?
Students who want Nordic design, high-trust public life, international classrooms, cycling culture, and a capital that feels organized rather than chaotic.
What makes it special
Copenhagen combines academic prestige, harbour life, bike infrastructure, and a calm everyday rhythm that makes student life feel unusually livable once housing is solved.
Newcomer shocks
- Rent can feel expensive even compared with other major European student cities.
- Danish students may seem socially closed at first, so societies, dorm kitchens, sports, and intro weeks matter.
- Cycling is efficient but rule-based; tourists and new students stand out quickly if they ride unpredictably.
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Weather & Packing
| Season | High / Low | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C / -1°C | Cold rain/snow | 7h daylight; hygge season |
| February | 4°C / -1°C | Snow and sleet | Still cold; warm layers essential |
| March | 7°C / 1°C | Showers | Spring hint; biking in layers |
| April | 12°C / 5°C | Showers | Parks bloom; still need jacket |
| May | 16°C / 8°C | Some rain | Long evenings; Danes love outdoors |
| June | 20°C / 12°C | Mostly dry | Midsummer; near-perpetual dusk |
| July | 22°C / 14°C | Occasional showers | Peak summer; sunscreen needed |
| August | 22°C / 14°C | Some rain | Culture Night in September approaching |
| September | 17°C / 10°C | Rain increases | Autumn; medium layers |
| October | 12°C / 6°C | Frequent rain | Wet; waterproof boots for cycling |
| November | 7°C / 3°C | Cold rain | Dark evenings; Christmas lights appear |
| December | 4°C / 0°C | Rain, possible snow | Tivoli Christmas market season |
Winter is dark, windy, and wet rather than extremely cold. Waterproof layers, lights, gloves, and reflective bike habits matter.
Packing checklist
- Waterproof windbreaker always
- Thermal base layers Nov–Mar
- Cycling poncho and lights
- Sunscreen June–August
- Warm hat and gloves for winter
Cost of Living
Cost of Living Index
83.4 / 100
Expensive · World avg ≈ 44
| Category | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room Rent | EUR 650 – 1,100/month | Directional range for a student room or shared flat; central and short-stay rooms can exceed this. |
| Groceries | EUR 250 – 380/month | Cooking at home and using discount supermarkets makes a large difference. |
| Transport Monthly | EUR 55 – 110/month | Depends heavily on zones and whether you bike most days. |
Going out & dining
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Housing
Norrebro
HighFood, nightlife, international flat shares, and a lively student feel.
Amager / Islands Brygge
Mid to highUniversity of Copenhagen South Campus, IT University, harbour swimming, and newer residences.
Frederiksberg
HighCBS students and a calmer, polished daily routine.
Lyngby
Mid to highDTU students who want campus convenience over central nightlife.
Student groups
Use ESN Copenhagen and university buddy groups for leads, but keep payments traceable.
Dorm kitchens and intro-week groups are often better social channels than public rental groups.
Documents to prepare
Passport or national ID
Admission or exchange confirmation
Proof of funds
CPR or registration documents after arrival where applicable
Deposit and first-month rent funds
Timing
Start as soon as your host university confirms nomination.
For August or September arrivals, do not wait for summer to begin.
Deposit & contract notes
Confirm whether utilities, internet, furniture, and registration at the address are included.
Inspect the room carefully and document condition before moving in.
Red flags
No written contract
Refusal to verify address or ownership
Request for instant bank transfer to a private account
Claims that CPR address registration is impossible without explanation
Safety
Safety Index
73.9 / 100
Generally safe
Crime Index
26.1 / 100
Low crime
Source: Numbeo · Lower crime = safer. Higher safety = safer.
Very safe overall. Student risks are housing scams, bike theft, nightlife overconfidence, and cycling without learning local rules.
Top risks
- Rental scams targeting international students
- Bike theft
- Cycling accidents caused by not following local lanes, lights, or turning rules
- Expensive nights out after underestimating prices
Transport
🚲 Bike
The default student transport mode. Learn hand signals, lane etiquette, lights, and winter braking.
No special discount needed, but student resale groups can help.
🚇 Metro, S-train, bus, and harbour bus
Excellent backup for rain, late nights, and longer campus routes.
Check DOT/DSB and youth options based on age and status.
🚆 Regional train
Useful for Malmo, Roskilde, Helsingor, Odense, Aarhus, and airport trips.
DSB youth products may help depending on eligibility.
Events & Activities
Distortion
Late spring / early summer
Free street programming plus paid festival elements
A city-wide music and street-life event that makes Copenhagen feel unusually social.
Harbour swimming
Best May to September
Often free at public harbour baths
A low-cost Copenhagen ritual and easy group plan after class.
Culture Night
October
Paid culture pass
Museums, institutions, and unusual city spaces open after hours.
Malmo day trip
Year-round
Train fare
A simple cross-border trip that makes the region feel bigger.
medium
Copenhagen Jazz Festival
July
Many free outdoor stages; indoor €15–30
World's largest jazz festival — 1,000+ concerts across 10 days, half outdoors and free
Distortion Street Party
June
Free (street stages); club entry €10–25
100,000+ people, 5-day electronic and street music festival moving through Copenhagen's neighbourhoods
Freetown Christiania
Year-round
Free to enter
Unique self-governing alternative commune since 1971 — galleries, cafes, live music and fascinating architecture
Student Perks
Museums & Culture
ISIC (International Student Identity Card) Discounts
Get international student discounts at main museums, galleries, cultural sites, and tourist attractions.
VisitLocal Museum Youth/Student Days
Many national and municipal museums offer free or highly discounted entry for students and young residents under 26.
VisitCulture & student events
Student houses, Friday bars, free harbour spaces, and museum student pricing are better value than tourist nightlife.
VisitFood Savings
Compare Rejsekort, DOT commuter products, and cycling before buying a monthly pass. Fares & passes
Universities
University of Copenhagen
Denmark's flagship research university and Scandinavia's highest-ranked institution (QS top 100, founded 1479) — 38,000 students, strong natural sciences and medicine, and a campus woven into one of Europe's most liveable capital cities.
Social Life
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Student Associations
Meeting Places 5
Public Groups 2
ESN Copenhagen
International student events, trips, and orientation support.
Studenterhuset Copenhagen
Student house with events, cafe, volunteering, and international community.
Forums & Advice 1
Erasmus+ Community
Official network for exchange students — forums, contacts, and city guides.
Reddit: Copenhagen housing search
Context-only peer advice showing common frustrations around rooms, deposits, and scams.