University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
About the Program
As the largest and oldest educational institution in Denmark, the University of Copenhagen focuses on the dual pillars of education and research as hallmarks of their academic programs. Located in Copenhagen’s bustling city center, the university maintains four campuses with a wide variety of degree offerings.
Up to two NYU Law students may study at The University of Copenhagen each semester. The program is open to second- and third-year students only who have spent at least one full-year at NYU School of Law. Courses are taught in English.
Widely recognized as the best in the country, the University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 and boasts a student population of over 37,000. The Faculty of Law, which has been in existence since the university’s establishment, is also known for its focus on research-based education, as well as for its emphasis on the interaction between Danish courts and international law. Recently, the Faculty of Law has introduced a number of new global initiatives in hopes of promoting international dialogue and facilitating cross-cultural exchanges. The Faculty’s website can be accessed here.
The Danes are famous for being the happiest people in the world, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the capital city of Copenhagen, which is consistently rated at the top of the charts when it comes to quality of life and environmental friendliness. The city’s laidback atmosphere and various tourist attractions, such as Tivoli Gardens and the Danish Royal Theater, combine to offer visitors a charming, unique--and of course, happy--stay in Copenhagen.
Dates
Dates for 2013-14 have not been published yet. Below is a rough guideline to course dates.
Fall Semester
Early August: Pre-semester Danish language course begins and Orientation
Late August: Classes begin
Mid-October: Autumn holiday
Mid December: Classes end
December: Examinations
Spring Semester
Early January: Pre-semester Danish language course begins
Late January: Semester begins
End of April: Classes end
Mid-May: Examinations
Courses
Course Requirements
A full-time semester study load at the Faculty of Law corresponds to three courses. All courses have the duration of one term and consist of 34 hours. Each course is valued with 10 ECTS-credits (European Community Course Credit Transfer System). For one term, 30 ECTS-credits are required for a full-time study load and 60 ECTS-credits per academic year. To ensure that you are able to transfer the credits earned at the University of Copenhagen, it is important that NYU approves your course selection.
All law subjects in English consist of 34 contact-hours. Some subjects run for 10 weeks and are taught twice a week and some run for 13 weeks and are taught once a week.
Tuition and Living Expenses
Because this is a revenue-neutral exchange program, participating NYU Law students will pay New York University the normal tuition for a 12 credit-hour semester at NYU Law.
Below are estimates of what you might spend living in Copenhagen:
• Housing: DKK 3,000 - 4,800 ($525-840 USD) per month
• Board: DKK 1,500 - 2,000 ($262-350 USD) per month
• Books/study materials: DKK 1,500-2,000 ($262-350 USD) per semester
• Local transportation: DKK 360 ($63 USD) per month
• Estimated pocket money: DKK 2,000 ($35 USD) per month
See additional information here.
Housing
If you need assistance from the University in finding a place to stay in Copenhagen, you must indicate this when you apply for admission on-line. The housing section of the online application for admission will be closed for new applicants when they get filled to capacity, so you should apply as soon as possible. If you are admitted to the University and have applied for housing, you will be sent a housing offer to your University of Copenhagen e-mail account. It is therefore very important that you check your e-mail regularly. For more information, go to the housing page in University of Copenhagen’s website.
Due to the large number of applicants and the difficult housing situation in Copenhagen, you may receive a housing offer from them as late as one month before the beginning of your studies. If you have not heard from the housing coordinators two weeks prior to your arrival, please feel free to contact them at: int-housing@adm.ku.dk.
If you choose not to accept your housing offer, or you do not respond to the housing offer within the deadline stated in the offer, the University will not be able to guarantee you another offer. All housing applicants will be offered housing according to their period of study. As there is no on-campus housing at the University of Copenhagen and as the university buildings are located across the city, it is quite normal to have travelling times of 35 minutes whether the means of transportation is biking or public transportation.
It is difficult to get housing in the city center. If you are going to study in the city center, it is more expensive and difficult to find housing very close to your department. Very few Danish students live in the most central, expensive and sought after areas of Copenhagen. Each place will differ in terms of location, cost, quality, facilities, etc. but generally the housing options fall into the following categories:
• Single room in a hall of residence
• Single room in a shared student apartment
• Twin/En suite room in a shared student apartment
• Further details on halls and shared apartments available here.
Passport, Visa and Permanent Resident Requirements
If you are not an EU/EEA citizen and not a Nordic citizen, you need a residence permit (visa) to study in Denmark. However, citizens from some non-EU-countries can enter Denmark prior to having obtained a visa, while others must have a visa to enter Denmark.
American citizens do not need a visa to enter Denmark. However, we strongly recommend that students apply for the residence permit immediately upon receipt of their acceptance package while still in their home country, as other formalities with the Danish authorities are based on the residence permit and take some time.
Along with your letter of admission, you will receive an application form (ST1) as well as instruction on how to apply. Please contact the nearest Danish embassy or general consulate immediately to apply for your permit, as the application process usually takes a considerable length of time (2-3 months). Also, please be aware that the Danish Immigration Authorities require documentation of your ability to support yourself financially during the length of your stay. Prior to your departure, you may be requested to provide documentation from your bank certifying that you have the equivalent of DKK 4,200 per month during your intended stay.
When you submit the ST1 application form you must create a case order ID and pay a fee online according to the guidelines from the Danish Immigration Service. Please make sure that any possible bank fee in connection with the transfer is included in the full amount. If full payment is not received your application will not be processed.
If you applied in due time, you will receive a confirmation letter from the embassy or consulate prior to your departure. When you have arrived in Copenhagen and registered with the Danish authorities, you will receive your residence permit (residence card type Z) by mail to your Danish address within approximately 4 weeks.
All international students in Denmark are allowed to work while studying (15 hours per week from September to May and 37 hours per week from June to August). However, you need a work permit to do so. You should apply for a work permit at the same time as you apply for your residence permit if you plan to work part-time.
Registration with the Danish authorities
When you have arrived in Copenhagen, you are required to register with the local civil registration office (Folkeregistret or Borgerservice). To do so you must have your residence permit and a permanent address in Denmark. The civil registration office will provide you with a personal identity number, called a cpr-number, as well as a Health Insurance Card. Further details are available here. Your cpr-number is used to officially register that you are living in Denmark, but you will also find that banks, libraries, phone companies, sports associations, etc. ask for your cpr-number to open an account or get a membership.
Access for Persons with Disabilities
The Association for Disabled Students & Graduates (Handicappede studerende og kandidater) provides advice on issues such as access for disabled to various facilities and special services available to disabled students. The Association can be reached as follows:
The Association of Disabled Students & Graduates (Handicappede studerende og kandidater)
University of Copenhagen, Amager
Njalsgade 84, room 7.3.10
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Tel: +45 35 32 91 01
E-mail: hsk@hum.ku.dk
If you are interested in the program and will need some special assistance due to a disability, please contact the Office of Global Programs who will contact Copenhagen to obtain information about the availability of needed services.