study in Aarhus
Denmark's second city — a large, well-regarded university, a notably young population, and costs meaningfully below Copenhagen.
Aarhus is Denmark's best-balanced student city. Aarhus University is large and broadly strong, the student share of the population is high, and the city is compact enough to cycle across while still being a real urban centre on the Jutland coast.
Living costs are meaningfully lower than Copenhagen, and student housing — while competitive — is more attainable. That matters more than it sounds, because housing is what gates the CPR registration chain.
The trade is job market breadth. Copenhagen holds more of Denmark's corporate and international employment, so graduates in some fields relocate. For the study years themselves, Aarhus is often the better arrangement.
One large research university plus applied institutions.
Aarhus University
Very broad; business, engineering, medicine, sciences and the humanities, with a large international intake.VIA University College
Applied; engineering, nursing, teacher education and business, across Central Jutland.Aarhus costs less than Copenhagen across housing and daily spending, and student accommodation is more attainable. Non-EU tuition remains a function of your institution and programme.
Against the other cities we cover in Denmark, Aarhus is mid-range. That is our reading of this country’s own spread, not a published index.
Non-EU tuition in Denmark runs roughly DKK 45,000–120,000 a year, set by your institution rather than the state.
The practical texture of the place — what a week actually looks like.
Climate
Mild, grey and windy like the rest of Denmark, marginally cooler than Copenhagen. Short winter days.
Getting around
Cycling, buses and a light-rail line. The city is compact enough that most students cycle year-round.
Housing
Competitive but more attainable than Copenhagen. Apply through the university housing office as soon as you are admitted.
Working
Up to 20 hours a week, full-time in June to August, once you hold a CPR number and tax card.
Language
English throughout study and much of student life. Danish helps considerably for local part-time work.
Student city
A high student share of the population makes social life and cheap infrastructure easier to find than in Copenhagen.
As everywhere in Denmark, you need a CPR number before you can bank, work legally or access health care — and it needs a registered address first.
The rule is national; what differs is how hard the first step is. Aarhus's more attainable housing market makes the whole chain faster, which in practice means being able to start a part-time job weeks earlier than a Copenhagen student in the same position. Apply for the CPR number immediately after registering your address.
Aarhus is one of 3 cities we cover in Denmark. Tap any pin to compare — the city you pick moves your total cost more than almost any other choice you make.