University of Aarhus, Denmark
MAUI-Utrecht
Network Exchange Program
This
program is part of the MAUI-Utrecht Network Exchange and is open to students
from member institutions only. Interested students should contact
their local study abroad coordinator regarding the application/placement
process and for additional information. Application deadlines
for all MAUI-Utrecht Network programs, including fall semester, winter
semester, or academic year abroad, is in February. Spring semester
placements may be available after the deadline: contact the Study
Abroad Coordinator.
About Aarhus and the University
The University of Aarhus was founded in 1928 and was the first Danish university to be established outside the capital of Copenhagen. The University has five faculties: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Faculty of Natural Sciences. Currently, 20,000 students are enrolled at the University.
With a population in excess of 250,000 inhabitants, Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark. It was founded around the year 900 by an unknown King of Denmark, at the time when the Vikings ruled the country. Today, Aarhus is known as the capital of the provinces and has a thriving business and commercial sector as well as many schools and educational institutions located in the area. The city hosts more than 30,000 students of higher education, making Aarhus a young and vibrant city.
Aarhus combines a country setting with all the advantages of city living. Situated on the waterfront, it is never far to sunlit beaches or refreshing green woods. In addition, Aarhus offers all the usual city comforts, such as restaurants, cafes, parks and gardens, theatres, art galleries, shopping centres, and night clubs. Cultural events take place all year round and the city has an international reputation as a live music venue.
Forms of Study and Teaching
The University of Aarhus offers many courses taught in English, so exchange students have a wide offering to choose from. A Danish university education requires self-discipline. This is mainly due to the fact that in most courses, students are not evaluated during the semester. Often, the final exam or paper is worth 100% of the course mark. Thus, it is up to the individual student to get the most out of what is offered - another reason why study groups play an important role within the system.
Another stimulating factor is the academic environment which may seem informal to foreign students. Professors and staff members speak with the students and associate with them during breaks and professors are often addressed by their first name.
Language Requirements
Danish is the national language of Denmark. However, English is widely used and most Danes can speak English fluently. At the University of Aarhus, the first language of instruction is Danish. However, in most departments, there are courses taught in English which students on exchange programmes are able to participate in. Students do not need to be proficient in Danish (or have any Danish language abilities at all) to be able to study at the university and reside in Denmark. As long as the student is proficient in English, they will be able to manage in both educational and social settings. However, exchange students should not forgo an opportunity to learn Danish. Learning Danish allows an exchange student to gain a better appreciation of the Danish culture and provides an opportunity to participate in daily life at a more meaningful level.
Course in Danish language and culture
"Denmark Today" is the title of the intensive pre-semester language and culture course for international students coming to study for a period of time at the University of Aarhus. The course, which is held every year in January and August, is a full-time course consisting of three language lessons every morning (Monday-Friday) and a wide variety of cultural and social arrangements (lectures and excursions) in the afternoons and evenings. The course is free of charge for all MAUI exchange students at the University of Aarhus.
The aim of the course is to provide the students with sufficient Danish language skills to be able to communicate with their fellow students and university staff and to cope with non-academic activities like shopping, visits to public authorities or to follow current issues debated in the media, etc. The course will not necessarily enable the students to take part in academic discussions, but it will provide them with a solid platform for continuing their practical and theoretical studies of the Danish language.
Mentor programme
All exchange students coming to the University of Aarhus are offered a mentor to ease through the first weeks of their stay. The mentor will typically be a Danish student from the same department/faculty where the exchange student will be studying. The mentor can help the exchange student to settle in, e.g. pick him/her up upon arrival and provide a key to the room where the student will be living. Furthermore, the mentor can give an introduction to academic and social life at the university, to the city, and be the first link to the Danish student body. The mentor can also help with practical matters such as opening a bank account, going grocery shopping, registering for a social security number, etc.
Housing
The University of Aarhus finds housing for all exchange students. Accommodation will be found in halls of residence or in private sub-lettings. See the information grid below for more information on housing.
General
Institutional Information for MAUI Students.
| Full name of university | University of Aarhus |
| Number of MAUI students you can accept during 2010/2011 (indicate total number of semesters) |
UNLIMITED |
| Areas
of study open for MAUI students (list explicitly) |
All areas open for MAUI students. |
| Areas of study restricted to prior bilateral agreements between the exchanging departments or faculties | None |
| Areasof study not available to MAUI students | None |
| Utrecht
Network contact person (name, full address, phone/fax/email) |
Mette Brandenborg |
| Contact person for incoming students (name, full address, phone/fax/e-mail) | Helle Colding Seiersen, International Centre, Fredrik Nielsens Vej 5, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Phone: (+45) 8942 2321, Fax: (+45) 8942 2329, Email: mb@adm.au.dk |
| General web site of the university | www.au.dk/en |
| Web site of the international office/information web site for incoming students | www.au.dk/en/is |
| Academic calendar | Fall semester: September 1 – January 31 |
| Examination period(s) | Fall Semester: December/January |
| Orientation
session(s) for incoming students (indicate date and costs) |
2 weeks Danish language program (fee DKK 500) followed by 1 week orientation program |
| ECTS
available (list fields if not all) |
Yes |
| Application deadline(s) for admission | May
1 for the Fall Semester |
| Application material on the web site or paper copies only. | Online application on: http://www.au.dk/en/is/application/apply |
| Course registration deadline(s) | Variable (depending on the department). However, students can usually register upon arrival. |
| Language requirements | Proficiency in English or Danish depending on the courses chosen |
| Language
test certificate requirements (if so, which and when : before admission, upon arrival) |
None |
| Preparatory
language course for incoming students (indicate dates and costs) |
2 weeks Danish language program (fee DDK 500) |
| Courses taught in English | A
wide variety of courses are taught in English. However, the
selection of courses varies from semester to semester. http://www.au.dk/en/is/studies/courses |
| Internships available | None |
| Student employment | It is difficult to find a student job in Aarhus and foreign students cannot base their economy on the chance of getting a job. |
| Housing
assistance (indicate how to apply) |
The International Secretariat provides housing to MAUI students. Application procedure at http://www.au.dk/en/is/application/apply |
| Housing Options | Mainly student halls of residence, but also sub-lettings and private rooms. Further information at http://www.au.dk/en/is/housing |
| Housing application deadline(s) | May
1 for the Fall Semester |
| Cost
estimates per month (in EURO) Housing Meals Books Local Transportation Health Insurance |
n/a: Please check updated information at http://www.au.dk/en/is/housing
|
| Additional
fees to pay (indicate amounts and subjects) |
|
| Comparable health insurance coverage from abroad allowed/not allowed | Allowed |
| Health facilities at the university | None |
| Other relevant information | |
| Summer courses available? Please list | Yes. Summer schools will be posted at www.au.dk/en/is during spring 2010 |
| Last update of this information | January 14, 2010 |
How to Apply/Application Process: Please check with your home university advisor for deadlines & application procedures for this program. If you are a UMSL student who would like to apply, please visit the Study Abroad Application Deadlines & Procedures page.