Become an exchange student at KEA!
We welcome exchange students with appropriate educational backgrounds who wish to attend one of our international programmes for one or more semesters. You must be a regular student at one of our international partner institutions. At KEA the international element is of great importance and we pride ourselves of an intercultural environment.
Incoming exchange students can start at KEA twice a year:
For precise dates for the upcoming academic year, see below.
If you are interested in coming to KEA as an exchange student, your home institution has to nominate you. Contact the International Coordinator/ERASMUS Coordinator at your home institution who will be able to advise further. They will provide you with the application instructions.
Nomination deadlines for incoming exchange students:
Application deadlines for incoming exchange students:
FALL SEMESTER 2024
SPRING SEMESTER 2024
DIGITAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SEMESTER (now open both spring and fall semester)
See the official course description in our course catalogue
ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
EXCHANGE SEMESTER COURSE OUTLINE
Currently we have no exchange available in our tech programmes
JEWELLERY, TECHNOLOGY & BUSINESS (3rd semester - only Fall semester)
DESIGN & BUSINESS - CREATIVE BRANDING (6th semester - only Spring semester)
DESIGN & BUSINESS - SUSTAINABLE FASHION TECH (6th semester - only Spring semester)
In order to be considered as an exchange student at KEA, you have to be chosen and nominated by your home university. It is up to your home university to assess your grades, professional and personal skills and to give you the application instructions.
KEA holds an extended ERASMUS+ Charter, so if your institution has a bilateral agreement with KEA under the ERASMUS+ programme, you can contact the international office at your home institution and check your options. The ERASMUS+ grant of incoming exchange students is administered by the sending home institution, not by KEA. Therefore, ask your international coordinator at home about the procedures.
KEA only accepts Exchange students from partner universities.
Exchange students are enrolled into one of KEA's international programmes that are taught in English or in one of our specially design exchange semesters. Find a list of programs available for exchange here.
For students entering a semester in a full degree program at KEA you will be able to find detailed course information in our course catalogue.
Incoming exchange students do not have to choose the subjects themselves. Within each semester, subjects are predefined and they are all mandatory. However, most programmes have an elective subject.
If you are unsure of what specific programs are relevant for you, don't hesitate to contact one of the International Coordinators. Find their contacts here.
KEA requires an English proficiency equivalent to level B2 (CEFR Common European Framework for Languages).
You don't have to speak Danish to study in Denmark, but understanding the local language might enrich your stay here. KEA offers Danish classes throughout each semester. You can apply at the beginning of the semester. For more information about courses, read more here.
It is important that you are properly insured during your stay in Denmark. There are two different kinds of coverage you should be aware of:
1. Health Insurance
Exchange students in Denmark are covered by the Danish Public Health Insurance. That means that you will be able to see a General Practitioner for health issues and general check-ups plus any specialists that he might refer you to. You will also be covered if you need to go to the hospital – emergency or non-emergency. You will not be covered for dental work unless performed in an emergency situation. Prescription drugs are subsidized, but not free.
In order to receive this coverage you need a legitimate residence permit and subsequently apply for a Health Insurance Card (called Yellow Card or CPR Card). This process takes anything from 2 to 8 weeks.
Therefore, you need to bring health insurance coverage from home to cover you during that time.
2. Luggage, Liability, and Accident Insurance
You need to buy insurance that will cover you in these areas. Consult with your local exchange coordinator as to the most appropriate insurance
When applying for a CPR Card you will choose your General Practitioner doctor - in general we advise you to choose one close to your accommodation. The phone number and address of your doctor will be visible on your CPR card. We advice you to memorize your CPR number, as you will be asked about it in many different situations.
In order to see a doctor you will need to make an appointment by phone. Some doctors also have an online reservation system that you can use in non-urgent situations. You will always be prompted to recite your CPR number.
If you need a specialist, your doctor will refer you to a relevant office and you will make an appointment there. That will also be covered by the insurance.
In a medical emergency, call 112 or show up at one of the emergency care rooms located in Copenhagen.
Visits to your General Practitioner Doctor, specialist doctors you've been referred to and hospitalisation are covered by your Danish health insurance.
Copenhagen is generally a very safe city with a low crime rate. It is, however, a big city and we advise all our students to be aware of their belongings and surroundings when walking around the city – be it day or night.
The police are present in the streets and can be approached in case you feel insecure or you have experienced a crime. You can also call the 24-hour police contact, 114.
All KEAs campuses have disability access.
You can read all the relevant updates about Coronavirus and how it affects students at KEA on https://kea.dk/en/coronavirus
If you have concerns and questions about the situation please do not hesitate to contact one of the international coordinators:
International Coordinator DESIGN: Hanne Vang Hansen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), +45 29468218
International Coordinator DIGITAL: Anne Dibbern (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), +45 40883665
International Coordinator BUILD/TECH: Andreas Berger (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), +45 53545485
You can find all Covid-related rules and regulations for Denmark on this site.
This include entry regulations, testing opportunities and information about current and previous status of Coronavirus in Denmark.
The Danish currency is called “Krone” and the international abbreviation is DKK. Denmark does not have the Euro, but you will be able to pay with Euros in the more touristy areas.
We advise incoming students to bring a credit card (Visa or Mastercard) that has a 4-digit code, it will be accepted in most stores.
The below estimates can give you an idea of living expenses:
For more information about budgeting click here.
It depends very much on your specific programme. Some programmes require specific computer software while others require you buy materials to complete your projects. If you want information relating to your program costs, please contact the relevant international coordinator.
In general, many of the reading materials you need you will be able to find online on KEAs intranet Fronter or at the KEA Library.
It is not required that you have a Danish bank account during your stay in Denmark. However, if you want a cheaper phone subscription with data or you get a student job, you will need a Danish bank account.
You can get a bank account once you receive your CPR number (ref: Health and Safety). Besides that requirement, it varies from bank to bank what the requirements are to set up a bank account. Make sure you enquire about the fees before opening the account. Some banks offer student accounts for free.
Jobs for students in Copenhagen are scarce if you do not speak Danish, and you should not count on a student job for your income. Some exchange students find a student job during their stay at KEA, but most will concentrate on their studies.
Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizens can work in Denmark under the EU rules regarding the free movement of people and services, with no restriction on the number of hours.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens may work in Denmark for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during June, July and August. You can see if you are allowed to work in Denmark on your residence card.
Denmark's weather is quite mild and the climate of Denmark is temperate, made mild by mostly west winds and by the seas surrounding Denmark almost entirely.
Denmark's mean temperature in the coldest month (February) is 0°C (32°F), and in the warmest (July) 17°C (63°F). Rain in Denmark comes on a regular basis year-round, there are no true dry periods. Copenhagen has an average of 170 rainy days a year.
Because of Denmark's northern location in Europe, the length of the day with sunlight varies greatly. This is typical for Scandinavia. There are short days during the winter with sunrise coming around 8 am and sunset around 3:30 pm, as well as beautifully long summer days with sunrise at 3:30 am and late sunsets at 10 pm.
Remember to bring warm and rainproof clothes and a pair of warm boots– especially if you will spend the winter in Denmark!
The public transportation system in Copenhagen is very good and combines underground Metro, overground S-Trains, and buses – most of which run both day and night. All KEA campuses are located close to public transportation.
You can plan your trips within Copenhagen by using www.rejseplanen.dk (choose English).
For information about ticket types and prices see the regional traffic organisation's website.
However, the best and most popular way to get around Copenhagen is on a bike. Copenhagen is one of the worlds most bike-friendly city and 50 percent of people living in the city use a bike as their main transport.
You can purchase a bike in one of the many bike shops or larger supermarkets – most of the bike shops have used bikes for sale. Make sure you get a proper lock and authorized bike lights. Biking at night without the proper lighting will be fined by the police. Remember to buy a bicycle helmet. It might save your life – if not your brain!
All incoming exchange students will be offered student housing through KEA’s rental partner upon acceptance into the programme.
Read more about KEA HOUSING here.
For more information about Copenhagen and Leisure Activities, check the Living in Copenhagen page.
Citizens from some non-EU/EEA countries require a visa to enter Denmark. Visit this website to see a list of these countries.
Up to 3 months. Learn more about visa here.
Yes - everybody staying in Denmark for more than 3 months needs a residence permit.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: you must apply for a Danish residence permit through the Danish embassy or consulate in your home country, before you leave for Denmark. We advise that you apply right after you've been accepted at KEA.
EU/EEA citizens: you must apply for a residence permit once you arrive in Denmark. The necessary application and instructions will be given to you from your international coordinator at KEA.
