Once you have begun your studies as a university student you may notice that university can be very different from attending an upper secondary school. Also Danish study culture may be different from what you are used to. On this page we have collected information and good advice that can make your transition easier.
The first days can be overwhelming, and a lot will be different from what you are used to. You will be working with new forms of studying and new academic material. There will certainly be a lot of things that you don't understand right away. At the same time, you will meet a new group of people and deal with a lot of practical matters.
Remember, no one expects you to have it all figured out on day one! Also, remember that you are all in the same boat and there is good advice and support to be found from your mentors and fellow students as well as teachers and student counselors.
At the beginning of your student life, these tips might be worth keeping in mind:
Use your former experience and use each other: Remember that you never start from scratch. You already have a lot of useful experience from your previous schooling and life. If you’re unsure about something, chances are one of your fellow students is wondering the same thing – you’re all in the same boat, which also means you can provide each other with help and support.
Plan your time and remember to take time off: Studying at university is a full-time commitment, so it’s a good idea to make a schedule and plan when to prepare for classes, work on assignments, and so on. Try to treat your studies like a job – show up when you’ve planned to, and just like with any other job, remember that taking time off now and then is important too.
Try to be patient: Don't expect to have an overview at the beginning - things will slowly fall into place. Don't make hasty decisions about changing studies or dropping out, but first talk to your fellow students, friends, family and your student and welfare counsellor. If you ever doubt whether you can get through your studies – or how to go about it – the student and welfare counsellors are here to help. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Participate in the academic and social activities: When things are busy and the material is difficult to understand, it is your academic interest and your fellow students that will carry you through - So prioritizing getting to know both the academic content of your study programme and your fellow students is definitely worth it. The first year as a student is hard sometimes but life as a student can also be exciting, rewarding and fun - so hang in there!
AU Studypedia is our collection of information, inspiration and tools, which can be useful if you want to:
The regulations that make up the framework of your degree programme contains some rules which it is important to be aware of since If you do not comply with them, it could result in you being withdrawn from the university. It is rules regarding the time you have to complete your degree, the number of examination attempts in each course and registration for courses and exams. Read more here
Special Educational Support (SPS), ensures that you can study on equal terms with your fellow students, even if you may have special needs - for example, dyslexia, ADHD, physical disabilities or similar.
At the Special Educational Support, you can get information and guidance about support and subsidy schemes, and if you are in the target group for the SPS scheme, they will ensure that support services are applied for you and that the support is initiated.
Special conditions for exams
If you have a mental or physical disability, you can apply for an exemption to get special conditions for your exams. If you are granted an exemption, it may, for example, be that you are given extra time for your exam 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 your application may not be processed.
You can read more about exemptions for exams in the menu under 'Rules and guidelines > Exemptions'.
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: