Before commencement of studies
When you are about to start university, there are a number of practical things that we recommend you take into account before the commencement of studies.
We also have various offers that can help you prepare for your new life as a student at Aarhus University.
What you need to know before the commencement of studies
Arriving in Denmark as an international student
How to prepare for your arrival
Find our guide for international students and read more about the Danish Social Security Number(CPR) insurance, money and banking, housing options for international students and much more. Read more
Transportation
Public transportation around Aarhus
The city center is very walkable. Within the rest of Aarhus, it is easy to get around by bike and bus and light rail (Letbanen). Bus and light rail is easily paid for on your smart phone and there are plenty of options for buying or renting af bike. Read more about the different types of transportation, tickets and usefull apps
Your timetable
To get an overview over your weekly lessons, you can find your timetable, at mystudies.au.dk. Please Note: Your timetable will not be ready until the introduction days.
In addition to your lessons, you will also have meetings with your study group and preparation for classes. These are activities that you should be aware of and plan into your schedule. Also, it is important to take time for leisure - and social activities.
A full timetable for the first term may look like this:
You can read about the courses in your study program in the Course Catalogue. Here, you will find information about the course content, teaching and exam formats, who the teaching professors are ect.
Remember to order your student card
As a student at Aarhus University it is important that you order a personal student card.
The card can be used as an access card, allowing you to enter university buildings outside of normal opening hours.
Also, the card is your identification as a student and must always be brought to exams.
How to order a student card
You can't order a student card until you are enrolled as a student and have been assigned a personal student number. This happens continuously between admission and the commencement of studies. Once you have received a student number, it will be visible in the profile menu at the top of mystudies.au.dk.
To get a student card, you must upload a photo and order it at mystudies.au.dk.
How to receive your card
If you have a Danish adress and CPR-number you will receive the card by mail. It can take up to 2-3 weeks. If your registered address is foreign or incomplete, or you have a temporary CPR number, the student ID card will not be sent to you by mail, but must be picked up at the International Centre during the Welcome Day or later.
Access university buildings outside normal opening hours with your student card and a PIN-code
You will also receive an e-mail with a PIN code for your student card. The email will be sent to your student email, which you can also access via mystudies.au.dk.
The PIN-code is used when you scan the card to access university buildings outside normal opening hours. Your acess will be restricted to the buildings where you normally have classes.
The commencement of studies exam
During the first week with lectures, all new students at Aarhus University will receive the commencement of studies exam in their AU-email inbox.
It is a survey with questions about your experience of our recruitment proces and the information and introduction provided for new students. It not really an exam, since you can´t fail or answer it incorrectly.
But please note: It is mandatory to answer the commencement of studies exam, before the deadline, as it also serves as a registration that you have started your new degree programme. If you do not answer, you will be withdrawn from your degree programme in accordance with applicable regulations.
Books and other teaching resources
You will need to buy your own books and other materials for your courses, and you should expect to spend quite a bit of money on them at the beginning of your studies.
Your mentors will inform you about which materials you will need in the first term, and they will also ensure that you have the opportunity to buy them at the university bookstore: "Stakbogladen" during the introduction days.
Your IT toolbox at AU
As a student, you will be using several IT systems and digital platforms. You will be introduced to all of them during the introduction days.
Links to the IT systems and platforms are listed below so you can easily acess them and return to them again later on.
The most important site you need to know...
Your main digital entrance is mystudies.au.dk - from here you can access almost everything you need as a student, so make sure you get to know it well, as it will help you a lot during your time at Aarhus University!
mystudies.au.dk contains:
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Your timetable, map of AU, study overview, etc.
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Messages and links to Brightspace, which is AU's learning platform, where your teachers write messages, upload materials and other relevant information for your courses. You can find guides on how to use Brightspace right here.
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E-mails and login to post.au.dk, which is your official AU e-mail where your e-mail address is studentnumber@post.au.dk. All written information between AU and you as a student must be sent via this email (due to personal data security, the university is not allowed to write to private emailadresses, such as gmail, hotmail etc.). Thus, it is important that you check your e-mail often - the easiest way to do this is to set up your private email client or phone to receive your AU emails. Find instructions here.
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Relevant links to students.au.dk, which is your study portal (you are here right now). On the study portal all information about courses, exams, rules, guidance, etc. are gathered in one place.
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Login to the Student Self-Service (STADS), which is the place where you can see your exam results, order exam transcripts, apply for leave of absence, etc. This is also where you register for courses and exams. See the guide on how to use STADS right here.
Wifi
eduroam.au.dk is AU's free WiFi for students, employees and guests. To connect, follow the guide at eduroam.au.dk/
Software
As a student, you have access to free download of various software; some are basic programmes useful for everybody and some are special programmes you may need for specific courses. If you need special software for your first term you will be informed about it during the introduction days. You can find it all here.
At the Libraries you have access to printing and copying via My‐Print. You can read more about this and find the link to create a user right here.
Two-factor Authentication
At Aaarhus University two-factor authentication is used with several systems to increase security. Here you can find the guide on how to set up your two-factor authentication.
VPN connection
If you install and log in to VPN, you can access AU's network and associated services from home. You can find a guide on how to use the VPN right here.
Information security
Be aware of security when working with AU's IT systems: Read more about information security.
And what if it doesn't work...?
If you experience problems, always start by looking at serviceinfo.au.dk, where you can see if there are general operational disruptions.
In addition, you can always contact your local IT support, which is ready to help you. You can find your IT support right here.
Offers worth exploring before you start your studies
Study@AU – an online commencement of study course
Get ready to start your studies with AU’s online introduction course: Study@AU.
The course answers some of the many practical questions you might have before your first day at the university.
When you have completed Study@AU, you will experience that:
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You have gained familiarity with the most important digital platforms
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You have gained insights into Danish study culture and some of the differences between secondary education and university.
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You know more about the structure of your studies and the expectations of you as a student
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You know who can help you when needed
The course is divided into modules that can be taken individually. The entire course takes approximately a few hours to complete. After being admitted to a programme at AU, you will automatically be registered for Study@AU. You can access the course in Brightspace from 11th of August 2025. You will receive an email with further information.
Students with special needs
At Special Educational Support (SPS) at Aarhus University, you can get help and guidance if you have special needs for support due to a physical, mental or neurological disability (incl. dyslexia). You may need support due to:
You can find more information about Special Educational Support here. Important: You are more than welcome to contact SPS before the commencement of studies - even if you are in doubt about whether SPS is useful for you or not. Questions or concerns regarding the introduction days at your new education? You are always more than welcome to contact the commencement of study coordinators at: studiestart.nat-tech@au.dk |
Special terms and conditions for exams If you have physical or mental functional impairments, you can apply for an exemption to get special conditions at your exams. If you are granted an exemption, it may, for example, mean that you are given extra time for preparations for oral exams, extra time during written exams or allowed to use special aids. It is important that you apply for exemption as early as possible - and well in advance of the exam period, otherwise our case managers will not be able to process your application in time. You can read more about exemptions for exams in the menu at 'Rules and guidelines' > ‘Exemptions' or ask your student and welfare counsellor. |
Need help?
During your time at Aarhus University, there will definitely be many things you're unsure about — and luckily, there are plenty of people you can turn to for help. Maybe you already have some questions, and if so, the contacts listed below may be helpful to you.
If you have any questions about the introduction days, you can write to:
If you have questions about student life, your studies, or well-being, you can find more information under 'Student counselling' in the menu or write to:
If you have questions about your new degree programme – for example, regarding teaching, exams, exemptions, credit transfers, etc. – you can contact Study Services
If you want to read more about life as an international student, read more here: