Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a stunning city, full of incredible things to do! There are plenty of historical and cultural places to visit, from the Danish Design Museum to the unique Islands Brygge Harbour Bath on the doorstep of our flagship student accommodation in Copenhagen, Nido Bryggen. You can explore the harbours and canals, or enjoy a wealth of traditional Danish dishes and street food offerings. There is also a treasure trove to discover by bike, one of the most popular ways to get around this sensational city. For more information, see our blog on Things to Do in Copenhagen for Students.

Copenhagen is a little more expensive than some other major European cities. You can live comfortably in Copenhagen on €800-€1,200 a month – this will cover your utilities, food, and social activities, while demonstrating that you can cover the cost of a Danish student visa if you need one. Of course, we recommend you budget thoroughly to understand your spending, and take advantage of the Copenhagen Card to save money on travel and tourist attractions.

Copenhagen is extremely safe! In fact, it was named The Safest City in the World in 2021 by The Economist’s Safe Cities Index. The low crime rates are a result of successful prevention initiatives, leading to a high level of trust among Danish people. The city is well-lit at night and police officers patrol regularly, so there’s little reason to worry.

There are a couple of things worth remembering so you’re polite and respectful to Danish people. Danes tend to be reserved people but are very friendly when you talk to them. They also value punctuality, so if you’ve made plans and you’re going to be late, make sure to call ahead. Otherwise, it’s hard to go wrong, as Denmark has a very friendly and accommodating culture!

Copenhagen is nice and easy to walk around. Since it’s built around waterways, it’s completely flat. It is compact, too – everywhere you may want to visit is available within a 3km radius of the city centre. If you don’t want to walk, consider getting a bike – bikes outnumber cars in Copenhagen, so it’s a cheap and convenient way to get around. If you have further to travel, consider buying a Rejsekort or monthly pass on the DOT Ticket app as they can save you money if you’re using public transport regularly.

Copenhagen is considered one of the happiest student cities. It’s not hard to see why; it boasts some of the best universities around the world and a student-first approach to education. It is a great student city, rich with history and culture to explore, unique bars and restaurants to visit, and the locals are extremely friendly and welcoming!

When you move to Copenhagen to study, you can look forward to exquisite libraries, lots of networking and case working events, talks, visits from businesses looking to attract young professionals into their teams, weekly parties and so much more. There is also a huge focus on supporting international students with settling into university and municipality efforts too, from student grants to Danish language programmes.

It is completely possible to live in Copenhagen and only speak English. About 86% of Danes speak English fluently as a second language. The level of proficiency is so high, generally, that you can be comfortable knowing you’ll be understood in most situations. Of course, we recommend learning some Danish for the situations English may not cover, as well as to impress your Danish friends and neighbours.