University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark
Founded1479
Students6,800 UG / 6,734 PG
Faculty5,000
Updated February 7, 2026
Overview
Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet, or UCPH) is Denmark’s oldest and largest institution of higher education. As a public, multi-faculty institution, it is organized into six main faculties: Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, and Theology. The university is dedicated to curiosity-driven research, innovation, and lifelong learning, with a strong strategic commitment to sustainability and a goal to halve its climate footprint by 2030.
The university serves a large student body of nearly 40,000 and employs over 5,000 researchers. While its bachelor’s programs are taught exclusively in Danish, it offers a wide range of English-language master’s programs to accommodate its international ambitions. UCPH is recognized as a leading European research university and is a member of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU).
Location
The University of Copenhagen is distributed across several major campus areas within the city of Copenhagen and its surrounding regions. The South Campus (Søndre Campus) on Amager houses the Faculties of Humanities, Law, and Theology, serving about 15,000 students. The North Campus (Nørre Campus) is the hub for scientific, pharmaceutical, and health science research, situated near the Copenhagen University Hospital. The City Campus (CSS), located in a former municipal hospital in central Copenhagen, is home to the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Beyond the urban center, the Frederiksberg Campus focuses on natural and life sciences. The university also maintains a presence in the wider region, including facilities in Køge and Kalundborg, as well as specialized forestry schools (Skovskolen) in Djursland and Nødebo. Additionally, it operates veterinary teaching hospitals in both Frederiksberg and Taastrup.
København S, Denmark
Also in: København K, Denmark · Copenhagen, Denmark · Frederiksberg, Denmark · Copenhagen, Denmark · Taastrup, Denmark
Campuses
Søndre Campus (South Campus)
MainKøbenhavn S· Denmark
Afdeling for Grønlandske og Arktiske Studier (Christianshavn)
København K· Denmark
City Campus (Indre By)
Copenhagen· Denmark
Frederiksberg Campus
Frederiksberg· Denmark
Nørre Campus (North Campus)
Copenhagen· Denmark
Taastrup Campus (Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences)
Taastrup· Denmark
Campus Culture
Student life at the University of Copenhagen is vibrant and community-oriented, featuring several hundred student associations and departmental cafés run by volunteers. A major highlight of the social calendar is the annual "KU Festival," which attracts approximately 16,000 participants. The university fosters an inclusive environment with a robust support system, including Special Educational Support (SPS) for students with disabilities or mental health challenges.
The student body is diverse, consisting of nearly 39,000 students, including a significant international community of roughly 5,500 students. To support innovation and entrepreneurship, the university provides the "UCPH Lighthouse," a dedicated space offering networking and innovation programs for student entrepreneurs. Digital life is integrated through the "myUCPH" app and the "Absalon" virtual learning environment, while the university library system (KUB) provides extensive resources across all campuses.
Rankings
The University of Copenhagen maintains a prestigious global reputation and is frequently ranked as the 5th best university in Europe. Its long history of academic excellence is highlighted by its association with 10 Nobel Prize winners. The institution is widely recognized as one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities, a status reflected in its membership in the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU).
Research
Research at the University of Copenhagen is conducted across more than 200 research centers and units, many of which are interdisciplinary and involve collaboration with international partners and private foundations. Key focus areas include quantum technology, artificial intelligence—facilitated by the National Centre for AI in Society—migration studies, and health sciences. The university's academic staff includes over 5,000 researchers dedicated to both curiosity-driven and solution-oriented projects.
The university also maintains a strong focus on doctoral training through six PhD schools, one for each faculty. These schools oversee three-year research programs that emphasize internationalization, encouraging PhD students to spend several months at research institutions abroad. Innovation is further supported through professional and executive master's programs designed to bridge the gap between research and industry practice.