Summer University courses at AU
AU Summer University
The application for Summer University 2025 is closed.
What is AU Summer University?
AU Summer University is an offer for AU students, where you can take courses during the summer between your regular semesters.
The courses you can take at AU Summer University are a part of your degree and will count instead of an elective course.
The courses differ from the semester courses by being very intensive, international and taught in English.
You are not able to take the courses at AU Summer University during a semester - they are only offered in the summer.
At AU Summer University we have over 100 courses from all five faculties.
There are over 2500 students every year, including a large amount of international students and lecturers.
Besides the courses, there are also many social activites you can participate in. In general, we try to make sure that it is not too boring taking classes in your summer vacation. For instance, we give out free popsicles each Thursday!
Why take a course at AU Summer University?
Most students who take a summer university course take it to get ahead in ECTS and get some space and more time in a later semester. That can be smart if you are doing an internship or just want a less hectic semester where you only have 20 or 25 ECTS.
Some students do it to catch up on ECTS point. If you have fallen behind in your study programme and want to catch up on ECTS points, you can do that by taking a summer university course.
Other students do it to get an international experience in Aarhus.
Since AU Summer University in many ways is more international than the regular semesters, it can feel like a kind of mini-exchange and an intercultural experience that youotherwise wouldn't get on AU, since our students and lecturers come from all over the world.
Other students follow a Summer University course because they have seen a specific course they find interesting and want to have this instead of the elective courses offered by their degree programme.
Often the reasons for AU students to take Summer University courses are a combination of the above mentioned.
Social Programme
AU Summer University is not just about taking courses – it is also about being social!
Each year we plan a social programme with different events each day throughout the summer. Our events are mostly relevant for the international students, but we will gather a selection of events that are relevant for both international and AU students below. You can find the complete social program via the link below (this is also where you need to register).
Our events require registration, which will be possible aprox. 2 weeks before the start of each term. Many of our events are free, while others have a fee.
We will share when it is possible to sign up for events at our Instagram, so don’t forget to follow us to receive important information regarding the social programme!
If you want to see pictures and videos from our events in 2024, check out our Instagram on the link below!
Applications FAQ
When will I receive an answer to my application?
You will receive an answer to your application in April. If you did not get a spot at any of your priorities you will receive an e-mail from us with information about our second round of application. In the second round it is only possible to apply for courses with avaliable seats.
Can I change my course once I have received a spot at a course?
Unfortunately it is not possible to change courses once you have been accepted into a course.
How many courses can I apply for?
You may enroll in two courses, but only one in each term.
You may apply for (prioritize) three courses in each term.
But if you only want to take one course it is important that you only have one first priority on your application.
If you want to take two courses it is important that you have two first priorities on your application.
If you only want one course you may mix your priorities from each term, as long as you only have one first priority.
Example A: You only want to do one course at AU Summer University. The course you are most interested in is in Term 1, the course you are second most interested in is in term 2 (or vice versa).
Your application should look like this:
1 Priority: Term 1 course x
2 priority: Term 2 course x
3 priority: Term 1 / 2 course x
The above application will only be offered one course because there only is one first priority.
Example B: You want to take two courses at AU Summer University.
Your application should look like this:
Term 1:
1st priority
2nd priority
3rd priority
Term 2:
1st priority
2nd priority
3rd priority
The above application will be offered two courses, because there is two first priorities.
Do not make an application with two first priorities if you only want to do one course. Only do it if you wish to enroll in one course in each term.
Are there waiting lists for fully booked courses?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to get on a waiting list for a fully booked course. If you have not gotten a seat at the course in the first place, it is because the course is either fully booked or cancelled and it is therefore not possible to get a seat.
Are the courses first come - first served/how are the seats allocated?
No! None of the courses are first come first served.
Unless otherwise announced in the course description in the course catalogue, seats in any given course will be distributed base on specific principles which you can see here https://international.au.dk/education/admissions/summeruniversity/how-to-apply/overall-selection-criteria:
This also means that technically it does not matter if you apply by January 16th or March 15th as long as you apply within the deadline March 15th at 12.00 (noon)
Can I change/cancel my application?
It is not possible to change or cancel your application in our applicationsystem. If you regret your application before 15th of March 11.59 we will cancel your application for you, if you send us a mail at summeruniversity@au.dk
After the application deadline it is only possible to deregistrate for the course on the same rules that apply for regular semester courses.
Is it possible to take a course and not have the ECTS inserted into my study programme?
No, it is unfortunately not possible to take a course as extra-curricular activity. This is also why you can only register for a course if you have the space in your study programme and within the group of courses that the course belongs to.
I cannot find the course I am interested in in STADS?
That is because you cannot apply for a Summer University course in STADS. If you follow our 4 steps to apply you will automatically get to our application system.
You can apply from 16/1 - 15/3 at 12 noon.
What do I do if I want to apply both for a course within my own study programme and a course that I need a pre-approval for?
If you want to apply both for a course within your own study programme and a course that you need a pre-approval for, you need to make to applications: One as 'applicant within own study programme' and one as 'applicant with pre-approval'.
Can I take a master level course before I start my master's degree?
Students who are admitted but have not yet started the following programs are not eligible to take master's level courses at Summer University:
- ITKO
- Cand.merc. (all tracks)
- Cand.soc.
- Cand.merc.aud.
Simultaneously, students from other programs who have not yet started their master's program are also not eligible to take master's level courses from the above-mentioned programs.
In all other cases, the following procedure applies:
1. First, you must apply for regular admission to your master's program if you haven't already. The system is very slow, so start well in advance.
2. Subsequently, but before March 15 at 12 PM, you enroll in the desired Summer University course via this link. When the system requests pre-approval, upload the receipt for receiving the application for admission, which you obtained in the application portal when you applied for admission to the master's program. You can find the receipt message under Messages when you log into the application system.
In April you will receive an answer from AU Summer University letting you know which course you got a seat in. After this you will be able to see the course in STADS.
You will receive notice by June 1st at the latest whether or not you were accepted to the master's program. You have until June 15th to confirm your seat in the program. (NB! If you have applied to master's degree program where you do not have legal right of admission, this of course only holds if you get accepted to the program.)
Around June 22nd you will get a message saying that you have been enrolled in the master's degree program. After this, your registration for AU Summer University will fall into place.
Until you are officially enrolled, the registration is STADS will say 'denied' even though you have received notice that you have a seat in the course. But there is no need to worry. This does not mean that you are not signed up for the course.
Please keep in mind that students who are already enrolled in a master's program have priority right for courses with limited seats as opposed to students with a temporary enrollment.
Can I apply without my pre-approval and then send it in later?
It is an advantage if you have your pre-approval before applying.
However, non of our courses are allocated after 'first-come, first-served', so it does not make a difference if you apply on the 16th of January or the 15th of March at 11.59.
If you do not get your pre-approval before the application deadline, you have to apply for the course and upload a receipt that shows that you have applied for the pre-approval. Once you get your pre-approval, remember to send it to us via e-mail.
Unfortunately, we cannot give you a seat on the course before we have your pre-approval.
Pratical FAQ
Where are the lectures taking place?
Teaching in Aarhus takes place, with very few exceptions, in Nobelparken. Please allow a little extra time on the first day to find the building and premises. And remember that there is no academic quarter unless announced in advance. You will find a list with an overview of subjects and rooms here.
When is the lectures?
Dates and times for teaching can be seen on the vast majority of courses in the course catalog now.
And on Brightspace you will find the schedule, curriculum and literature for your subject, the information will be ready at the beginning of June.
Unfortunately, Summer University subjects do not come to mystudies.au.dk, so you will not be able to see the schedule there, but only on Brightspace.
In general, the summer courses are very intensive, and the workload can be heavy, so don't count on too much free time during the weeks the course runs.
You can't count on the academic quarter applies in the summer - unless it says so directly. So if it says that teaching starts at 9.00, be there at 9.00! At least the first day.
As some subjects have international guest lecturers, you have to expect that things are not quite as they usually are. Break structure, teaching methods, etc. may be different. Take it as part of the experience and talk if necessary. with the teacher if you think there is too little or too much of something.
Literature and other course materials
The literature lists will be posted on Brightspace as soon as we receive them from the teachers. This happens at the end of May at the earliest and during June at the latest.
Library
The Nobel Library
AU Library, Nobelparken has (like the other libraries in AU Library) open during AU Summer University.
You can get access with your student card.
AU Library, Nobelparken
Jens Chr. Skous Vej 5, Bygning 1461-63
DK 8000 Aarhus C
Tlf: 9135 6447
Mail: nobelparken.aul@kb.dk
Exam
Information about the exam is/will be posted on Brightspace, but the date for the vast majority of courses can already be found in the course catalogue.
Be aware that the flow is activated / the exam is made visible later than you may be used to in your own studies. You can expect to be able to see your exam in Wiseflow approx. 1 week before the exam starts.
Remember to check whether you can see your exam either in Wiseflow well before the exam starts, so that we have the opportunity to help you if there are problems.
Exactly the same rules apply regarding uploading as for all other exams. If the exam is not uploaded in time, you must apply for a waiver to have your exam assignment graded. Please note that this is only given in special cases. So make sure you upload your exam paper in good time.
Contact
You can always contact us if you have any questions. Our email is: summeruniversity@au.dk.
During the Summer University, in July and August, you can also get help at our Information Desk, which is located in 1451-116.
Our Information Desk is staffed by student assistants who will do their best to help you. The opening hours are 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM in July and August (weeks 27-32).