Universitetsavisen
Nørregade 10
1165 København K
Tlf: 35 32 28 98 (mon-thurs)
E-mail: uni-avis@adm.ku.dk
University of Copenhagen
Independent of management
—
Campus
Historical or brand new? Private kitchen or communal dining? Secret societies or massive parties? The University Post guides you through ten of Copenhagen’s many dormitories
(Editor’s note: Here is our updated Guide to housing in Copenhagen. Here is our guide to the dorms and residences of Copenhagen.)
It is easy to find a place to live in Copenhagen – if money is not an issue. But for the regular student, it is a different story.
Reasonably priced, student-friendly apartments are nearly impossible to get hold of, especially for international students.
Luckily, Copenhagen has many dormitories for university students. Read on to see our collection of the 10 best ones. While many of these dormitories only have a website in Danish, they are all open to international students.
Rigshospitalets Kollegium was originally known as »the beer-case dorm,« because the French balcony that comes with every room was exactly big enough to fit a case of beer, something which most student-residents took advantage of. Unfortunately, after a recent renovation of the façade, the balconies are now too small to accommodate beer-cases.
The 414 rooms are all identical, with 16 square meters of living space and a private bathroom. Kitchen-facilities are shared.
Rent is currently DKK 2,783 per month, which includes both electricity-consumption and Internet.
Rigshospitalets Kollegium’s website (only in Danish)
Nordisk Kollegium offers breakfast, lunch and dinner plus the option to cook in your hall’s kitchen, which is typically shared by 14 residents.
Once a month, a tour is given for prospective residents – registration is necessary. Applications are processed four times a year.
Rent is DKK 3,922 per month for regular students and DKK 4,922 for PhD-students.
External link: Nordisk Kollegium’s website (only in Danish)
Egmont Kollegium was built in the 1950s. It is home to 492 students who study everything from Arabic to Astrophysics. It is a very popular place, known for its many parties.
It became famous in Denmark when national TV made a series about the residents at ‘Nye anden’ (‘New Other’) – one of Egmont’s halls.
Rent ranges from DKK 2,155 to DKK 3,485 depending of the size of the room. The rooms are usually unfurnished (as in most dormitories), but if you have been accepted for housing as an exchange student, the room will be furnished.
Egmont’s website (partly in English)
Hagemann’s Kollegium is old and full of traditions. The beautiful house fits perfectly to the up-market neighbourhood of Østerbro. Right across from the dormitory is the Russian Embassy with whom the residents of the dormitories have cultivated a long-standing relationship.
Living in this dormitory means no longer having to worry about groceries or cooking – a full-time chef prepares a hot lunch and dinner on all weekdays!
The dormitory consists of 61 rooms spread over five floors. Rent is DKK 4,000 per month, which includes everything – even food. Prior to sending in an application, a prospective resident must attend a walk-through with a current resident.
G.A. Hagemanns Kollegium’s website (only in Danish)
This luxurious dormitory is especially known for its unique round structure. The architecture is so fascinating that people pay for guided tours, which are given regularly.
Tietgen has 360 rooms, but they are highly sought after, so only a lucky few get in. The dormitory is conveniently situated right next to the IT University (ITU) and the Faculty of Humanities. Its unique construction makes it an attractive site for events such as concerts – for the benefit of the residents.
Rent is comparatively expensive, ranging from DKK 2,900 to DKK 5,000 per month depending on the size of the room (excl. water and electricity). Applications are only accepted four times a year, the next being 1-15 August. Tietgen has a rule that every hall should have at least one international resident, so international students have an advantage.
Before we go on to our top five, no list of University of Copenhagen dormitories, would be complete without the infamous Albertslund:
The 800 residents of Copenhagen’s Danmarks Internationale Kollegium (‘DIK’ dorm) had a rude awakening in May 2011. A fire gutted the cellar in the basement, sending poisonous smoke into living areas, and causing a middle of the night evacuation.
But luckily DIK has other things to offer: DKK 2,415 for one room, DKK 5,040 for a two room flat, it is a relatively cheap alternative to many of the dorms on the list here. And as it is full of international students, it ensures that you will have a truly international experience in Copenhagen.
On the downside: It is a good half hour from the Copenhagen city centre by S-train.
This is the site, where there is more information, and where you can apply.
(Editor’s note: Be sure to check out our 2014-updated Guide to housing in Copenhagen)
307 students live at Otto Mønsted dormitory, situated in green surroundings close to the hip Vesterbro. In contrast to many other dormitories, residents here are not only from the University of Copenhagen, which mixes things up a bit.
The dormitory has many facilities and traditions, including the annual ‘Otto Festival,’ where both residents and upcoming bands from outside perform.
The dormitory even has its own radio studio.
Rent is DKK 2,200, regardless of the size of the room.
Otto Mønsted’s website (only in Danish)
‘Gården’ as it’s commonly known among residents has 126 rooms divided on 11 halls, each with their own style. The rooms vary in size from 12 to 27 square metres. Each room has a sink, but other than that, bathroom-facilities are shared.
The residents have access to different resources such as sports-facilities, a cinema, a wine-cellar and their very own drugstore ‘Portneren.’
The dormitory is known also for its beautiful old ball-room. Rent is DKK 1,925 per month including water, heat, electricity and Internet.
Studentergården’s website (partly in English)
Inaugurated in 1623, Regensen is one of the oldest dormitories in Copenhagen. It is situated in the heart of the old city, just next to Rundetårn (the »Round Tower«).
Many old student traditions live on, making the place very lively. The residents organize themselves in rivaling secret societies such as Uglen (‘the Owl’) or Gamle (‘Old’).
Back in the old days, you didn’t pay anything to live here and even had a monthly scholarship. Today, every 99 residents pay DKK 1,400, regardless of the size of their room(s). One room is reserved for one international student, who can occupy it for a year.
Regensen’s website (only in Danish)
Up until the 70s, only men could live in the the above-mentioned Regensen dormitory. The Kvinderegensen was built in 1931 as a ‘Dorm for women.’ Today, students of both sexes live here.
Kvinderegensen is situated in Amager, close to the Faculty of the Humanities. The house has many facilities, including a music room and a living room entitled ‘The Young Werther.’
The different halls often host so-called ‘tours de chambre,’ a room-crawl where each resident serves a drink in his or her room.
Rent is DKK 2,124, regardless of the size of the room.
Kvinderegensen’s website (only in Danish)
P. Carl Petersen is the fanciest dormitory in Copenhagen. 29 students share an old mansion in Charlottenlund, one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Denmark.
Living room with piano and fireplace, fitness room, sauna, garden and sea view – you will probably never live as luxuriously again.
The house works as a collective, meaning that everybody is expected to take on responsibilities and participate in monthly meetings. Depending on the room, rent ranges from DKK 1,600 and DKK 3,000.
P. Carl Petersens dormitory’s website (only in Danish).
So this is it! Our top ten of Copenhagen dormitories. Do you disagree with our ranking? Comment in the comment field below. Any other tips for good student housing? Tip us and our readers off by writing in the comment field below.
Like The University Post on Facebook for features, guides and tips on upcoming events.