University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) was founded in 1479 and has a student population of around 39,000, making it the largest and oldest institution of research and education in Denmark. After a merger in 2007 with the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University and the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University became one of the largest Centres for Health and Life Science in Northern Europe.
Academic Highlights
UCPH has six faculties - Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology. It is considered among the best universities in Europe and ranks very highly in the world ranking system.
Location
UCPH is located in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, and is located across four campus areas. It encompasses approximately 100 different institutes, departments, laboratories and centres, as well as museums and Botanical Gardens.
Did you know?
The University of Copenhagen has produced eight Nobel Prize winners.
Language of Instruction | Danish, English (limited in some areas) | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
| Minimum Result Required | 60% WAM | |||||
| Previous Round Cut-off (WAM (%) or GPA) | 60% WAM | |||||
Additional Requirement | Law students: 72 credits in law completed by the end of the semester in which you apply | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 2, 2027 | 6 places | |||||
Red | ||||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia | |||||
Agreement Scope | All Faculties | |||||
Handbook/Catalogue
Note that units taught in English are not announced in the course catalogue until two to three months prior to the start of semester. You may have to refer to the previous year’s available units to predict what would be on offer during your semester abroad and check them again two to three months before your semester starts.
UCPH allow students to take fewer or more ECTS based on their needs, but students must keep within the ECTS limits described below.
The lower limits are as follows:
Students who do NOT participate in the pre-semester Danish language course:
22.5 ECTS per semester is the absolute minimum you can take to be considered a full-time student. If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen this is also of importance for your residence permit, as you cannot be granted a residence permit for studies in Denmark unless you are a full-time student.
Students who DO participate in the pre-semester Danish language course:
22.5 ECTS per semester is the absolute minimum you can take to be considered a full-time student. If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen this is also of importance for your residence permit, as you cannot be granted a residence permit for studies in Denmark unless you are a full-time student.
Academic Restrictions
Please ensure you read through the academic restrictions regarding the areas of study that are NOT available to exchange students. These restrictions have been updated recently, and any new changes will be published on UCPH's Course requirements and restrictions webpage.
Take note that many units—particularly units offered by the Faculty of Science, and by the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences—have a quotas for the number of students that can be allowed in each class. If you wish to study science, biomedicine or medicine units at UCPH, you need to ensure that you have lots of back up units in case your approved units become unavailable.
You may not find out your timetable until very close to the start of your exchange semester, at which time it would be too late to be redirected to another university should all of your units become unavailable.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
22.5 ECTS* | 30 ECTS |
ECTS - European Credit Transfer System
*If your study load cannot exactly equate to 22.5 ECTS, then you will need to complete a study load as close to 22.5 ECTS without going under in order to receive 18 Monash credit points.
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
45 ECTS | 60 ECTS |
Academic Calendar
University of Copenhagen Autumn Semester (Monash Semester 2): early September to late January
University of Copenhagen Spring Semester (Monash Semester 1): early February to late June
See UCPH's Academic Calendar here.
Ancient cultures | Anthropology | Biological sciences | Biomedical sciences |
Business law and taxation | Chemistry | Chinese languages & culture studies | Communications and media studies |
Criminology | Earth, atmosphere and environmental sciences | Economics | English as an international language |
Film and screen studies | French language & culture studies | German languages & culture studies | History |
Human geography | Indigenous studies | Information technology | Italian language & culture studies |
Japanese language & culture studies | Law | Legal studies | Literary studies |
Mathematical sciences | Music performance and composition | Philosophy | Physics and astronomy |
Politics and international relations | Psychological sciences | Public health and preventive medicine | Religious studies |
Science | Spanish and Latin American languages & culture studies | Sociology | Theatre and performance |
Translation studies |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
UCPH offers information on Finding Housing including links to halls of residence with which the University works.
Visas
If you’re planning to stay in Denmark for more than 90 days you’ll usually need a student visa (ST1 Residence and Work Permit for Tertiary Students) from the Danish Consulate General in your home country; in Australia it is the Royal Danish Consulate General, Sydney. Once you’re accepted by the University, you’ll receive an endorsed form that you can use to apply for your visa.
For more information on visas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has a Denmark in Australia with helpful information. UCPH also provides advice on CPR registration and obtaining a residence permit.
Health and insurance
After receiving your visa you must apply for a Danish Personal Registration Number (CPR number) to receive health benefits and be covered by the Danish health insurance system. UCPH provides some information on health insurance.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
The mandatory orientation program is organised at a faculty level, so you’ll need to attend the program hosted by the faculty to which you have been admitted.
The University of Copenhagen offers a pre-semester Danish language course to all non-Scandinavian students and a mentor program organised by different faculties/departments.
You might find the Study in Denmark website interesting.
Cost of living
Living in Denmark can be expensive. Consider budgeting for at least approximately A$1,200 (c. DKK 6,090) per month of your stay, but these costs can vary. You can read more about the cost of living on the Study in Denmark website.
Funding
For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
Important notes
Students must have completed at least 72 credit points in Law in order to be eligible to study Law at Copenhagen.
Due to the popularity of this partner institution, for semester 1, 2026 onwards Monash students can only apply to study here on exchange for one semester.
To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.
Have you been to the University of Copenhagen and want to share your experience? If you'd be willing to write a testimonial, email us at monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu.
Cara Ferguson
Science and Arts
Semester 1, 2026
Study Experience
It allowed me to discover a different style of teaching with oral exams instead of the written exams or essays I have been used to. I also completed some Danish culture courses which allowed for a greater appreciation of the country I was in.
Culture
I connected with both Danish and other international students and I can now say I have friends in 10+ countries around the world which was incredible important and allowed me to have very interesting conversations with many different people and learn more about their cultures. Additionally, appreciating the Danish way of life including this like understanding and experiencing hygge and their pride in their flag, along with other Danish traditions was very interesting to see the differences between Australia and Denmark.
Being able to be there for 6 months meant being able to see the change in weather, from winter to summer, where the Danish ways of life changed drastically. From when I first got there in January the weather was very cold and I saw very few people in Copenhagen, to mid July where there were people everywhere, all the social and outdoor clubs where operational and people would spend time in parks and outside cafes instead of at home.
Benefits of going on exchange
Exchange has greatly improved my confidence and also may have decreased my stress. Throughout my exchange I had to organise way more things than I do in Melbourne, I solo-travelled and I had to navigate a new culture where I did not speak the lanaguge, nor know the norms. This meant that I had to grow in my confidence to seek help when needed, but also allowed me to fail and try again.
Several times, especially whilst traveling on exchange, I found myself making mistakes or in situations I would usually feel unprepared for. However, having worked through these experiences I've come out the other side having increased my abilities to adapt and work under preasure. Further, the fear that I will fail or make a mistake has lessened as I have now done this many times and come out the otherside ok, if not better for it.
Top tips
- Take every opportunity whilst on exchange. You need to be prepared to come home exhausted and having done more in 4-6 months than you would have in 2 years otherwise, but happy you did it. You should go on that trip, or visit that cafe, or hire that car and enjoy your time.
- I think people also need to expect to be tired and to give themselves the freedom to have a break. Exchange is tiring and it is hard work, so you need to understand that taking a weekend off, or not going on that one trip or not seeing EVERY museum in your host country is ok. You need to set yourself up for success throgh giving yourself time to relax so you can greater appreciate other things.
- Also make sure you seek out friendships. Almost everyone who goes on exchange is alone, so you will be able to make friends. But you still have to try. Go to the meet and greets, go to the open days, go to any events at the start that will help you meet both other international and local students.