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Back to school — It is now official: This year’s new students met each other, their tutors, and their well-dressed rector for the first time on Friday, August 21.

by: Gry Bartroff Gaihede
Chefredaktør
by: Anders Fjeldberg
Journalist

»Welcome to the most important day of the year at University of Copenhagen.« These were the words of Kristian C. Lauta, Pro-Rector for Education, who hosted the ceremonial part of the university’s welcome for new students at Frue Plads on Friday, August 21.

This year, the university’s 6,710 new students were divided into two groups. Students from the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences gathered on the large lawn at South Campus at 9:30 a.m., where they met their student mentors and future fellow students for the first time.

Academic mentors facilitated various introductory activities, and a student association fair was held at Karen Blixens Plads. After lunch—during which no alcohol was served—everyone headed to Frue Plads, where the university leadership, dressed in academic robes, welcomed them at 2:00 p.m. and offered the traditional handshake with the Rector.

The entire process was repeated for new bachelor’s students from the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Theology, starting at 12:30 p.m., with the matriculation ceremony at Frue Plads taking place at 5:00 p.m.

READ ALSO: The Rector’s welcome speech to the new students

Uniavisen journalists Johanne Dahl Karlsen and Camilla Skovgaard at the student association fair at South Campus.
image: Gry Gaihede
Pro-rector for Education Kristian C. Lauta notes that the handshake marks the new students' official entry into student life and the start of their academic careers. »Fortunately, the rough rituals of the past are gone,« he said.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
»Give your tutors a big hand. They have done an exceptional job,« Pro-rector said.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
Four hours into the bachelor students' first encounter with their new university, it is time for a few words of encouragement from the rector.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
Student Council Chairperson Ira-Thomas Bro Pold looks back on the start of their own studies three years ago. »It was quite nerve-wracking,« they said. »UCPH is huge — make it your own, and on your own terms,« ​​was the advice given.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
Musicology students sing the university hymn from 1839 'Hellige Flamme' and also led the singing when the University of Copenhagen’s new communal song from 2025, 'Luk vinduer op imod verden,' rang out across the city center.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
»We don’t follow fashion trends. We seek the truth,« said the Rector as he presented the robed deans of all the faculties.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
Ready for handshakes. The rector and the pro-rector for education shared the task.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
Welcome to KU. After a trumpet fanfare, Ulige Numre’s smash hit 'København' rang out from the loudspeakers across the square.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
After the handshake, the first-year students were ushered through the beautiful ceremonial hall and out into the courtyard, where the deans were waiting.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
A ritual hug from Rector David Dreyer Lassen.
image: Anders Fjeldberg
image: Anders Fjeldberg

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