Living and studying in Copenhagen
What do you need to know about life in the Danish capital? We asked our students to give you some tips and tricks.
STAY INFORMED
If you want to stay up-to-date with what the Danes are talking about, have a look at the local English language newspaper Copenhagen Post. What is a CPR and how do you get an appointment with a dentist? Find the answers to all your practical questions at Life in Denmark and Study in Denmark. Here you can also read about working in Denmark as many students also have a parttime job here.
GETTING A PLACE
Copenhagen is a city of students – both Danish and internationals – and this means that many students live together in shared apartments. Some CCDS-students rent a room and others go together to share a flat. The rent can vary from 2,500 – 6,500 DKK depending on location.
There are many websites to find room for rent. You can find tips and links on the municipality’s website and many also find their room via Facebook housing sites. It can be a possibility to start out at a hostel or airBnB before searching for a room.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Denmark has an extensive public healthcare system that offers free consultation and treatment at a local doctor’s, emergency wards and public hospitals. Most examinations and treatments are free, but you need to register and get a health insurance card (“yellow card”).
For Post-Graduate students staying on three-months’ holiday visa, you are entitled to free medical treatment in hospitals and emergency wards if you are taken ill or have an accident. For EU-citizens you are covered by public health insurance within the limits agreed upon between your own country and the Danish authorities. If you are from abroad and not in a possession of an EU-passport, you should ensure that you have adequate health insurance, and you may want to consult a travel agency or insurance company. Additionally, there are general practitioners in Copenhagen who in turn take in tourists and others without a yellow card.
Get info on how the healthcare system works at Life in Denmark.
STUDENT JOB
Many CCDS students supplement their studies with a student job in evenings and weekends e.g. in shops, hotel business, service business and restaurants. The wages in Denmark are higher than most EU countries.
GET A BIKE
All Copenhageners bike everywhere and so should you. It’s cheap, fast and good both for you and the environment. There are plenty of shops where you buy both new and reused ones or you can find people selling on various Facebook groups or make use of city bikes stationed all over the city. Bikes can be brought with you in local trains without extra charge.
EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY
The site Visit Copenhagen is your guide to where you go look for Street food markets, a place to sip an old-fashioned cocktail or get a good cup of coffee. It offers guides on every conceivable topic – including overall guides to each Copenhagen neighbourhood.
EXPLORE THE CULTURAL STAGE SCENE
Copenhagen’s many stages offer dance, theatre, opera, circus and any mix of the above. There are lots of guest performances, so not speaking Danish is no excuse to stay at home. Youth and/or group discounts are offered almost everywhere.
A few places you must not miss:
The Royal Danish Ballet – one of the oldest ballet companies in the world. Its unique Bournonville tradition is sure to dazzle anyone!
Dansehallerne is a national resource for dance and choreography and a wealth of other interesting dance related stuff. Keep up to date with performances, workshops and more by signing up to their newsletter.
Dansekapellet offers training, performances and much more.
Danish Dance Theatre is one of the leading companies in Northern Europe and the most contemporary company in Denmark
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
There is an impressive number of museums and art galleries, where you can find anything and everything: Viking battle axes, Egyptian mummies, Monets and Manets – and of course a plethora of contemporary art as well. Some of the museums have special free-entry weekdays. The site kbhmuseer.dk tells you everything you need to know about the city’s museums.
FESTIVALS
As any self-respecting European capital, Copenhagen also boasts a lot of festivals. Anything from contemporary circus, jazz, documentary film and food gets its own week. Dancers should take care not to miss:
Copenhagen International Dance Festival – Launched in 2019 by Copenhagen Dance Arts and our very own Lotte Sigh and Morten Innstrand offering a programme of public performances, guest performances and masterclasses taking place every Spring.
CPH Stage – theatre and performance of every kind every May-June.
Metropolis Festival – a festival for art and performance in urban space.
Copenhagen Summer Dance – an annual treat from Danish Dance Theatre performed outdoor.