Curious about your study start?
When you start on a master's degree programme, you are no longer new to the university world. You have probably been sweating over exams on your bachelor courses, playing name games at the introduction camp and learned that the reading workload is often heavy.
Nonetheless, there is a proper study start for you as a master’s degree student.
Maybe you have studied at another university in Denmark or elsewhere and are curious about the study start at the University of Copenhagen?
Maybe you already have a bachelor’s degree from UCPH but are keen to see what the study start is about?
We will do our best to welcome you properly and prepare you for your master’s studies.
What happens during study start?
When you start on a master’s degree programme, there will usually be one or two orientation days on campus with a focus on the academic content.
This is where you will be welcomed to your new degree programme and told about the rules, framework, career opportunities and what it’s like to switch from bachelor’s to master’s student.
During the study start, there may be a campus tour and a brief hello from the student counsellors, but you will most definitely meet your new fellow students.
Online study start
Often, there will be an online study-start course for you to take.
This includes an introduction to the teaching, the study environment, Copenhagen as a university city, the University’s digital platforms and practical information about your study start.
You will receive the login to the online course in the information sent to you if you are admitted.
When is the study start?
The specific study-start dates will appear from the information sent to you if you are admitted to UCPH.
However, the study start usually takes place in the first week of September.
Student Community
Master’s degree programmes often have many elective courses for you to choose from, which gives you some liberty to shape your education to your liking.
It also means that you will have classes with many new people on your different courses. They may be from other year groups, faculties or universities.
The regular class that you were used to on your bachelor’s programme is not as big a part of master’s programmes. So, it’s a good idea to prioritise social events such as the study start.
Here you will get to know your new fellow students, and perhaps you can join some of the student associations or academic groups together.
Matriculation
The study start on master’s degree programmes is more than orientation days and online study start. UCPH also throws a party.
It’s called matriculation and is for all new students on bachelor’s and master's degree programmes. It’s the official welcome to all new students and one of the oldest traditions at UCPH.
The matriculation ceremony is always held at Frue Plads in the city centre where the University’s old, historical buildings stand.
At the event, the Rector welcomes all new students. Afterwards, you can shake hands with the Rector, which is also a tradition at UCPH.
When you have shaken hands with the Rector, heard the speeches and seen the beautiful ceremonial hall in the University’s main building, you can attend the after party where there will be music, food, drinks and socialising.
When is matriculation?
The matriculation ceremony is usually held in late August just before the study start.
The date varies which is why it’s important to read the information you receive if you are admitted to UCPH.
Get more info about the study start
You can read more about the study start at the different faculties via the links below.
Here, you can find the dates of your study start and what your study start program will look like.
Some of the links require a username and password for UCPH's intranet. You will receive a username and password if you are admitted to UCPH.
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Theology
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Law: Unfortunately, you cannot apply for admission as a full-degree student at the Faculty of Law at UCPH as the English taught master’s programme in law is closed.