Denmark charmed more students last year

International students flocked to Denmark last year, and more specifically to the University of Copenhagen

by Luci Ellis

Three per cent more exchange and guest students from overseas chose Denmark as their host country in 2009, compared to 2008. This is after year-on-year increases.

This is according to a press release by Danske Universiteter (Danish Universities, ed.).

The University of Copenhagen has seen a much greater increase than the average at the Danish universities. Six per cent more internationals chose the University of Copenhagen in 2009 than in 2008. This increase is double that of Danish universities in general.

Huge increase over five years

The rise in numbers comes on the back of five years with rising international student numbers. Since 2005, the number of international admissions at the University of Copenhagen has gone up by 40 per cent.

A possible explanation for the increase in overseas admissions is the number of courses offered in English.

The University of Copenhagen currently offers more than 500 courses in English every semester.

Copenhagen seen as ‘safe’ city

This attracts students who would otherwise choose to go to Britain or the US, explained Daria Irena Markov, Head of Section at Copenhagen University's International Office in an earlier interview with the University Post.

»Copenhagen’s reputation as a safe and ‘hyggelig’ (Danish for ‘cosy’) city also attracts many students«, she added when explaining last year's increase.

Free tuition in Denmark also makes the University of Copenhagen an economically attractive option compared to other EU countries such as the UK or Germany.

However, this is more relevant for full degree students, as exchange students still pay tuition fee at their home university.

Most attractive Nordic country

Denmark is the most popular destination country for incoming full degree students from the Nordic region, according to new figures from the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Around 5000 students from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden were enrolled on Danish degree courses in 2007/2008.

This is more than double the number seen in Sweden, the Nordic country in second place in terms of incoming students from the Nordic region, which only attracted around 2000 Nordic students in the same year.

luci@adm.ku.dk

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