Aarhus Universitet - Science, Schulich, & Haskayne Only
It would be shame to miss out on the experience of living in one of the best cities in the world!
With several world-class buildings, Aarhus is the 2017 European Capital of Culture. Aarhus Universitet (AU) is the highest-rated university in Denmark for student satisfaction, ranked in the top 150 universities worldwide, and is ranked as having one of the top 15 most beautiful campuses in the world.
Its current student population of about 44,500 enjoy research-based programmes and a stimulating environment: the walls of its main campus in Aarhus host the largest contemporary art collection in the city, and its buildings are considered an important icon of classic Danish architecture. AU is one of only 90 business schools worldwide with a Triple Crown accreditation.
Key information
Student experience
Take a lazy afternoon sitting along the canal near Den Gamle By (The Old Town) in Aarhus' historic city centre.
Program details
The information below was last updated in September 2026
AU offers a wide variety of programs, however students are limited to studies in the programs listed below. Exchange students must limit their course choices to those offered in their program. While some mixing-and-matching is allowed, exchange students can only select courses in a maximum of two departments within their faculty. All courses must also be offered at the same campus.
Exchange students are expected to take 30 ECTS credits per semester. 6 ECTS credits = 3 UCalgary units.
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Science students
Science exchange students at Aarhus may select courses from 1-2 departments: Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Ecology, Geology, Physics, Mathematics, Nanoscience, or Neuroscience.
A limited number of English courses are available at the second/third year level. We therefore recommend that English-speaking students go to Aarhus in their third year or above. Fourth year students may be eligible to take master's level courses in English; please book an appointment with the exchange advisor to determine your eligibility.
To browse course offerings, requirements & restrictions, view Aarhus's course page. Most of the available science courses are offered under the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
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Schulich students
AU offers 3 course packages for engineering exchange students:
Urban Water for Civil Engineering - available both in Fall & Winter semester. Fall semester runs until mid-January and students are required to stay through the end, so the Winter semester is recommended for students that need to return by January.
Software Engineering - available in Fall only. The Fall semester runs until mid-January but students can arrange for proctoring the exams online in Calgary (fees apply) in order to finish in December.
Mechanical Engineering - available in Fall & Winter. Fall semester runs until mid-January; it might be possible to arrange online proctored exams (TBD). This is a newer program offered by AU.
Please note: The Urban Water and Software course packages were historically pre-assessed by Schulich for technical elective credits. However, as courses change over time, this is not guaranteed to remain the same. Contact an academic advisor in the Engineering Student Centre to discuss. Course assessments are not required at the time of application to UCalgary, but you should have some confidence that it works for your degree before applying.
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Haskayne students
A Haskayne Specific Exchange is available at Aarhus. Students can take two senior commerce and/or non-commerce options, and/or a maximum of 2 concentration courses (not ACCT/PLMA). Review your course selection with a Haskayne exchange advisor before your exchange commences to confirm transfer credit. Find your Haskayne exchange advisor online.
To browse course offerings, requirements & restrictions, view Aarhus's course page. Most of the available business courses are offered under the Aarhus BSS Faculty - Business/Economics.
The regular academic year is divided into two semesters.
- Fall semester: August to January
- Winter (Spring) semester: January to June
It is not possible to complete Fall semester coursework/exams in December. Students who are only going for 1 semester and need to return to Calgary in January should instead apply for a Winter semester exchange. The exception to this is Schulich students taking the Software Engineering program, who can arrange for proctoring final exams online in Calgary (fees apply) in order to finish in December.
AU also offers a summer exchange program in July/August.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
It is recommended that students budget a minimum of 5000-5500 DKK per month to pay for accommodation and living expenses. Additional financial information can be found online under the "Money Matters" section of the FAQ.
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning. Please Note: Danish visa/residence permit applications may require travel to the Vancouver consulate to submit documentation and take biometrics.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while studying abroad, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are otherwise eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
The type and availability of accommodation varies greatly between campuses. If exchange students apply for housing by the deadline, AU's International Centre will attempt to place them in university housing, which may be located on- or off-campus and may include private, semi-private, or shared rooms and facilities. If space is unavailable, the International Centre will advise students on finding accommodation in the private market. Prices may vary substantially depending on city and campus, but a broad estimate would sit between 2000-4000 DKK per month.
See online for more general information about housing as well as housing details for each campus.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in UCalgary's Faculty of Science, Schulich School of Engineering, or Haskayne School of Business, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).
If intending to take English-taught courses, students must have completed at least 3 full years (30 courses) at the post-secondary level prior to the intended start of the exchange. This is because all English-taught courses at Aarhus are offered at a more advanced level of study.
To take Danish-taught courses, applicants must have a command of Danish at minimum B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language. Certification of language proficiency may be required.
Haskayne Students: There are additional eligibility requirements – see the Haskayne Outgoing Exchange Students page for details. When applying in the online application portal, be sure to select the Haskayne version of this exchange.
Do I have to speak Danish?
Most courses at AU for the first two years of university are taught in Danish while advanced-level courses are taught in English. We therefore require that English-speaking students go to Aarhus in their third year or above. Fourth year students may be eligible to take master's level courses in English - please see an advisor to determine eligibility.
Aarhus also offers opportunities to learn Danish!
What's so special about AU?
AU has three campuses. Its main campus is in Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark, which carries an eclectic mix of youthful communities, traditional winding streets, and internationally-acclaimed cultural events such as the annual Aarhus Festival, the largest of its kind in Scandinavia. The second campus is in the inland city of Herning, a vibrant community known for trade fairs and music festivals; it is also a primary centre on the Jutland peninsula railway network and therefore an easy area to travel to or from. The third campus is in Emdrup, a community on the outskirts of the large municipality of Copenhagen - an appealing cosmopolitan hub for those wishing to delve deep into Danish history.
For more information about Aarhus University, watch this video: Discover Aarhus University.
What resources are available for new students?
AU's International Centre runs an events programme called "Intro Days" at the start of each semester, which are designed to introduce students to Danish life. Each of AU's three campuses offers its own Intro Days as well as a unique "Survival Guide for Exchange Students" specific to its available faculties of study, the host city, and cultural climate.
The International Centre also oversees Mentor and Buddy Programmes, which pair up international students with Danish students from the same academic department for a welcoming, intercultural experience.
What supports or services are available at Aarhus?
The university offers disability support for those with temporary or permanent accessibility needs.
For information on accessibility and support services of campuses across Europe, check out Inclusive Mobility. Our Disability Abroad resource has additional links and suggestions to plan for your trip.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains instructions to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We strongly recommend applying to your top three programs, as placement may be competitive. Your applications will be assessed in the order that you rank (first, second, third choice).
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary, so check each program web page and make sure you're aware of any differences! Pay attention to the eligibility requirements and whether supporting documents are needed.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that are not found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, accessibility issues, or demands on the physical and mental self, which may challenge you when away from your usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative to evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual condition against the rigours of your desired global program. If you are unsure whether this program is a good fit for you, or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment and participation, please contact us. Our global experience advisors are happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arranging any supports necessary for your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your global experience advisor to ensure that the program you are seeking can support your needs. Additional considerations can be found on our Identities Abroad resources.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.
