Erasmus guide University of Copenhagen
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark.
City
CopenhagenCountry
DenmarkInternational
Approx. 3,000 inbound exchange students per year, plus a broad international course catalogue
Enrollment
Approx. 38,000 students
Study abroad at University of Copenhagen: overview
Study abroad at University of Copenhagen means choosing 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. In practice, the useful context is enrollment: Approx. 38,000 students; international mix: Approx. 3,000 inbound exchange students per year, plus a broad international course catalogue; academically it fits best around Natural Sciences and Biomedicine, Health and Medical Sciences, Social Sciences and Economics, Humanities and Philosophy. The part to check without romanticising it: rules can be faculty-specific, so confirm the host department, seats and course list early.
Enrollment
Approx. 38,000 students
International Mix
Approx. 3,000 inbound exchange students per year, plus a broad international course catalogue
Why students choose it
Best fit: students who want Natural Sciences and Biomedicine, Health and Medical Sciences, Social Sciences and Economics, Humanities and Philosophy in Copenhagen, with a course list that genuinely matches their home degree. Do not choose it on reputation alone; watch this trade-off: rules can be faculty-specific, so confirm the host department, seats and course list early.
Language of instruction: Danish (primary); extensive English programme catalogue — the broadest in Scandinavia
Exchange & application at University of Copenhagen
Exchange at University of Copenhagen starts with partner nomination, then an online application, course planning and arrival admin. Build backup courses early, because faculty restrictions and capped classes matter more here than the university's broad catalogue first suggests.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, online application, academic transcript, learning agreement, English proof, and Danish residence/CPR registration for stays over 3 months.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates you to the UCPH International Office. After nomination confirmation, UCPH sends a personal application invitation.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students don't need a Danish visa but should register for CPR (Danish civil registration) if staying over 3 months — provides access to Danish healthcare and banking. Non-EU students need a Danish residence permit via SIRI — apply at least 8 weeks before arrival.
👥Buddy System
UCPH International Student Network (INIS) and ESN Copenhagen buddy schemes pair exchange students with Danish students before and during arrival.
🧭Orientation Week
UCPH International Welcome runs before semester start — registration, campus tours, admin, and social events. Essential for first-week setup.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn semester | March 1 | April 1 |
| Spring semester | October 1 | November 1 |
Arrival Checklist
- EU: register for CPR number at Borgerservice within 3 months — needed for healthcare and banking.
- Non-EU: Danish residence permit application through SIRI before departure — minimum 8 weeks.
- Book accommodation before arrival — Copenhagen housing is competitive and expensive.
- Get a Rejsekort or use contactless for Copenhagen metro, buses, and regional trains.
Academics & courses at University of Copenhagen
Academics at UCPH mix ECTS structure with Danish independence. Expect 30 ECTS for a full semester, a mix of oral, written and portfolio exams, and a need to confirm final assessment dates before booking return travel.
📝Course Registration
Course selection via KUnet after admission. English-taught courses available across all faculties — check the online course catalogue filtered for exchange students. Build a backup list as popular courses cap.
🎓Credit System
Denmark uses ECTS. Full-time semester = 30 ECTS.
💯Grading System
Danish 7-step scale: 12 (excellent/A), 10 (very good), 7 (good/C), 4 (fair), 02 (adequate/pass), 00 (inadequate), -3 (very inadequate). Grade conversion tables provided.
✍️Exam Culture
Mix of written exams, oral exams, and portfolio assessments. Natural Sciences and Medicine lean exam-heavy; Humanities use oral exams and essays. Confirm exam schedule before booking travel.
📚Library Access
Royal Library (Det Kongelige Bibliotek) and UCPH faculty libraries — extraordinary collections and superb digital access. The Black Diamond (Diamanten) main library on the waterfront is architecturally stunning.
Tuition & fees at University of Copenhagen
Costs at University of Copenhagen are mostly living costs, not exchange tuition. Exchange students pay home-university fees only, but Copenhagen rent, food and transport can push the real budget high unless housing and canteen routines are planned early.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | DKK 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Exchange students pay no tuition to UCPH. Living costs in Copenhagen: DKK 10,000–15,000/month (~€1,340–2,010) — one of Europe's more expensive cities, but qu… |
| Full degree – EU/EEA | DKK 0/year (Danish-taught programmes) | EU/EEA students in Danish-taught programmes pay no tuition. English-taught programmes for EU students may have fees — verify per programme. |
| Full degree – non-EU | DKK 90,000–120,000/year (~€12,000–16,100) | Non-EU students pay programme-specific fees. Natural Sciences and Medicine typically higher. Danish Government Scholarships available for outstanding non-EU … |
DKK 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Exchange students pay no tuition to UCPH. Living costs in Copenhagen: DKK 10,000–15,000/month (~€1,340–2,010) — one of Europe's more expensive cities, but qu…
DKK 0/year (Danish-taught programmes)
EU/EEA students in Danish-taught programmes pay no tuition. English-taught programmes for EU students may have fees — verify per programme.
DKK 90,000–120,000/year (~€12,000–16,100)
Non-EU students pay programme-specific fees. Natural Sciences and Medicine typically higher. Danish Government Scholarships available for outstanding non-EU …
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Copenhagen
Housing is the pressure point for UCPH students. University routes, KKIK, kollegium options and private rooms can all work, but the safest move is to start as soon as your admission route allows and avoid informal deposits without a clear contract.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Copenhagen
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Copenhagen
UCPH support is strong but admin-heavy: International Office guidance, welcome events, CPR help, student health routes and ESN/INIS networks all matter. Use orientation week as a setup tool, not just a social extra.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — CPR + yellow health card for EU (free after registration); private insurance for non-EU.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
UCPH Student Health Service — GP, counselling, and health support at multiple campus locations.
🧠Mental Health
UCPH Counselling and Study Skills Service — free psychological support and academic coaching. Book early — demand peaks during exam periods.
Danish public health via CPR
Free after CPR registration
Best option for EU students staying 3+ months — provides GP, hospital, and emergency care.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Useful for emergency care before CPR registration is complete.
Campus services
International Office
Central contact for exchange admission, learning agreements, CPR letter, and arrival guidance.
KKIK Housing
Main student housing portal for Copenhagen — apply here first for exchange student rooms.
INIS / ESN Copenhagen
International student network running social events, city orientation, trips, and buddy matching.
UCPH Sports (CIRIUS Sport)
Student sports centre with gym, fitness classes, and team sports across Copenhagen campuses.
Student life at University of Copenhagen
Student life at University of Copenhagen is spread across campuses, Friday bars, libraries, cycling routes and Copenhagen's harbour culture. The city is social once you enter student houses, sports, dorm kitchens and international networks early.
Student Clubs
- INIS / ESN Copenhagen
- UCPH Sports (CIRIUS)
- Faculty student organisations
Buddy Program
INIS Buddy Programme and ESN Copenhagen pair exchange students with Danish students before arrival.
Sports & Recreation
- UCPH CIRIUS Sport Centre
- Cycling everywhere — Copenhagen is Europe's cycling capital
- Swimming at Harbour Baths (Islands Brygge — free in summer)
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend UCPH International Welcome — admin, CPR letter, library access, and social events.
- Register for CPR at Borgerservice — this unlocks healthcare, banking, and MitID.
- Get a Rejsekort or use contactless for metro, S-train, and buses.
- Rent a bike — cheaper and faster than public transport for most destinations in Copenhagen.
Key exchange dates at University of Copenhagen
Key dates revolve around March and October nominations, April and November applications, and a late-summer or winter arrival setup. Keep CPR, housing and final exam timing in the same planning calendar as the exchange application.
-
1
Before nomination
Confirm active UCPH partnership in your faculty. Medicine and Law restricted access.
-
2
Nomination deadline (Autumn)
March 1
Home Erasmus coordinator nominates — UCPH sends direct application invitation.
-
3
CPR registration
August–September
Register at Borgerservice within first weeks of arrival — unlocks healthcare, banking, and digital ID.
-
4
International Welcome
Late August
Attend before semester start — admin, housing check-in, and social on-ramp.
-
5
Exam period
January / June
Oral exams can shift — do not book return travel before all exam dates are confirmed.