COVID-19: Information for exchange and guest students

Last updated: 22 June 2020

Due to the measures in place and the guidelines on social distancing, we are currently working on how to organise the autumn semester so that we can offer a positive exchange experience, follow the national guidelines, and ensure the health and safety of both students and staff. Our faculties and departments are currently planning a blended learning approach, combining both online and in-person teaching for the autumn semester. You will receive more details about this from your departments before the start of the semester.

Please note that even though courses may include online teaching, it is not possible to take the entire semester as an online exchange.

Courses aimed at exchange/guest students

Every semester, we offer a number of courses aimed specifically at exchange/guest students (e.g. Danish Culture Courses). We are able to offer these courses because there are a large number of students interested in taking the courses. Due to the measures in place around the world and the changeable nature of the situation, we expect fewer students to start in the autumn 2020 semester. Therefore, please note that if one of these courses only has a small number of students registered, it may be necessary to cancel the course. If this is the case, we will of course help you to find alternative courses.

Last updated: 17 June 2020

We are working hard to plan a good orientation programme for you. Before the start of the semester, we will be sending more information to your UCPH e-mail about the orientation and mentor programmes.

Last updated: 10 August 2020

What documentation do I need when entering Denmark?

To enter Denmark, you will need the following:

• your letter of admission
• passport/ID
• a confirmation of enrolment (we will send this to you no later than 1 August)

When can I enter Denmark?

The Danish Police have recently updated their guidelines for when students can enter Denmark. Depending on whether you are travelling from an "open" or "banned" country, there are certain requirements if you will be entering Denmark more than 14 days before the start of your studies.

We urge all students to read the Danish Police’s guidelines before travelling to Denmark:

https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark/travelling-in-or-out-of-denmark/entry-into-denmark

If you have questions about entering Denmark, please contact the Danish Police’s Arrivals Hotline: +45 7020 6044 (weekdays from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm CEST).

If you are travelling through another country

If you are travelling through another country before entering Denmark, please make sure to check whether that country has any additional requirements.

Last updated: 10 August 2020

Residence permit (ST1)

All citizens of Non-EU/EEA countries are required to obtain a residence permit through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, i.e. the Danish immigration services (called SIRI for short).

Where do I get an ST1 form?

UCPH will be send your residence permit application form (ST1) to your UCPH e-mail address. Please check your UCPH e-mail account regularly.

Check that the offices processing residence permits (ST1) in your country are open

Due to the measures taken in response to COVID-19, the offices for processing residence permits are closed in many countries; however, for those with a worthy purpose for entering Denmark (being admitted as a student is considered a worthy purpose), it may still be possible to apply.

Due to the closure of offices and the corona situation in general, the deadlines for having your biometrics taken has been extended to 31 August 2020. You can read more at the homepage of the Immigration Services in Denmark (SIRI). 

Since a valid residence permit is critical for entering Denmark, we strongly urge you to check that the offices for processing a residence permit application are open in your country and that they will be able to process your residence permit application in time for you to travel to Denmark. You can find an overview of the Danish missions that can process the application here:

https://um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/where-to-apply/

What if I am not able to submit my ST1 form?

If you are not able to submit your ST1 form and receive a valid resident permit, then it will unfortunately not be possible to travel to Denmark and start your semester. If this is the case, please let us know at INT-admission@adm.ku.dk.

What documentation do I need when entering Denmark?

To enter Denmark, you will need the following:

• your letter of admission
• passport/ID
• residence permit
• a confirmation of enrolment (we will send this to you no later than 1 August)

When can I enter Denmark?

The Danish Police have recently updated their guidelines for when students can enter Denmark. Depending on whether you are travelling from an "open" or "banned" country, there are certain requirements if you will be entering Denmark more than 14 days before the start of your studies.

We urge all students to read the Danish Police’s guidelines before travelling to Denmark:

https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark/travelling-in-or-out-of-denmark/entry-into-denmark

If you have questions about entering Denmark, please contact the Danish Police’s Arrivals Hotline: +45 7020 6044 (weekdays from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm CEST).

If you are travelling through another country

If you are travelling through another country before entering Denmark, please make sure to check whether that country has any additional requirements.

Last updated: 12 August 2020

Below we have provided information about staying safe when in Denmark and on the UCPH campus. However, it is still important to read the Danish Health Authorities' health guidelines and advice.

Social distancing

The Danish Health Authority recommends keeping at least a 1-metre distance between people in public spaces. However, they recommend keeping at least a 2-metre distance in situations where there might be an increased risk of droplet spread or where there are special considerations, such as:

• if you are anxious about your own or someone else’s respiratory symptoms (e.g. if you are on your way home from work and feel unwell or if you think someone else looks like they have a cold etc).
• when visiting nursing homes, hospitals, persons at higher risk, etc.
• during activities involving heavy exhalation where droplets are formed and scattered further away from the person than during normal speech, such as singing, shouting, lectures, plays, physical exertion, etc.
• during activities in motion (e.g. roller coasters).
• when in confined spaces with limited space, poor ventilation, etc. – such as basements, narrow corridors/walkways, etc.

Mask-wearing

In general, it is not considered necessary to wear a face mask in public. However, there are some situations (e.g. travelling on public transport) in which it is recommended. Please see the Danish Health Authority's website for details (see under "Other questions" > "Should I be wearing a face mask in public?").

You must continue to adhere to the general advice on physical distancing and hygiene even when wearing a mask.

Food and shopping

If you have to self-quarantine, you can order groceries online to be delivered to your door. Search for “grocery delivery Copenhagen” in a search engine to find the best option for you.

If you do have to leave your accommodation to buy groceries, we strongly recommend that you wear a mask, always practice social distancing, and maintain good hand hygiene.

Orientation

You will receive information about your orientation programme directly from you faculty or department.

Housing

Follow the guidelines on Housing Foundation’s webpage: https://housingfoundation.dk/your-stay-arrival/.

If you do go out in public when you are self-quarantining, we strongly recommend that you wear a mask, always practice social distancing, and maintain good hand hygiene.

Please remember that the situation continues to develop, and the Danish authorities are updating their guidelines regularly. For the latest information, please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark’s website.

Last updated: 17 June 2020

Health insurance

When you arrive in Denmark, you need to register for your civil registration number (CPR number) and health card. Once you have done this, your healthcare will be covered by the Danish health insurance. However, until that point, and especially considering the current situation, it is especially important that you have adequate health insurance (e.g. private health insurance, the blue European Health Insurance Card). 

We will write to you in August with more information about registering for a CPR number and health card.

Also, please note that home transport in case of an emergency is not covered by the Danish health insurance. If you would like this, you will need private health insurance that covers this.

Travel insurance

In addition to health insurance, students should seriously consider travel insurance. Travel insurance typically covers trip cancellations, lost luggage, and delays. Travel insurance may also cover medical emergencies – please investigate this thoroughly.

It is also worth considering travel insurance that includes coverage of accommodation costs, for instance if you are called home or in case of an emergency.

Last updated: 17 June 2020

Housing Foundation Copenhagen (HFC) are currently sending invitations to students to apply for housing. If you are applying for housing via HFC, please make sure to read the booking manual on their website carefully.

As mentioned previously, HFC has introduced a cancellation policy for the autumn 2020 semester for students unable to come either because a) their home university/UCPH cancels the exchange stay or b) their home country/Denmark impose travel restrictions. For more details, please read HFC’s special cancellation policy for autumn 2020.

It is important to note that HFC’s cancellation policy does not apply if you yourself decide not to come or if the rental agreement has started. Please consider this carefully when booking accommodation.

Last updated: 17 June 2020

It is possible to apply for the spring 2021 semester; however, it is important for both you and your home university to be aware of the following points:

• The courses offered in the spring semester are typically different to those offered in the autumn.
• In general, there are fewer courses taught in English in the spring semester.
• If we receive more students than normal, there may be pressure on study places. Therefore, some students may not be able to take their chosen courses. If this is the case, we will of course help you to find alternatives; however, we would also be grateful if partner universities could be flexible with regard to the transfer of credit so that other courses could be accepted.
• More students would put pressure on housing, and so students may find it difficult to find housing through Housing Foundation Copenhagen.

Before making a decision to switch, we strongly recommend that you and your home university see our course catalogue to find out whether appropriate courses are available. We also recommend that you consider other courses if, for instance, it is not possible for you to take your first-choice courses.

How to switch from autumn 2020 to the spring 2021 semester

If you would like to change your application to spring 2021, you need to do the following:

1. Check with your home university that it is okay to switch.
2. Check our course catalogue to see if there are relevant courses for you.
3. If your home university confirms that it is okay to switch, please ask your exchange coordinator to contact us at INT-admission@adm.ku.dk.
4. We will check to make sure that it is possible to switch.
5. Once confirmed, we will then update your application and change the study period to spring 2021. We will send a confirmation to you by e-mail once we have updated this.

Please note that you do not need to submit a new application. UCPH does not have a deadline for sending a confirmation to switch; however, we would be grateful if you could let us know as soon as possible. While we will try to accommodate everyone, in some circumstances it may not be possible to switch (e.g. due to capacity issues).

Last updated: 3 July 2020

Below are links to the Danish authorities and important information about, for example, travelling to Denmark, health guidelines, etc. Please remember to check these regularly. 

The Danish Police: Requirements for entering Denmark and frequently asked questions. For an overview of open and banned countries, see the Danish Police's list here.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark: Information on applying for a residence permit, visa-processing offices around the world, information on entering Denmark.

The Danish Health Authority: Information on the COVID-19 situation in Denmark and guidelines for how to stay safe.  

Last updated: 17 June 2020 

If you have any questions or concerns about the autumn 2020 semester, please contact us at int-admission@adm.ku.dk.

Classes and physical activities are not taking place on campus. Instead, UCPH is seeking to support students in self-study and distance learning to continue their courses. Students must stay updated through the UCPH Corona site and through the online learning platform Absalon.

Exchange or guest students can follow UCPH courses through self-study and distance learning in the same way as other UCPH students.

Following consultation with the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), the following applies to non-EU/EEA/Swiss exchange/guest students with a residence permit:

You can leave Denmark and still maintain your residence permit if you:

• Keep your Danish address
• Do not de-register from the CPR register
• Continue to be study active (online learning and/or self-study)

If these apply, you can be outside of Denmark for up to 6 months and still return, as long as your residence permit has not expired. It is also important that you have your residence card especially if you are a citizen of a country with a visa requirement when you return to Denmark. If you have yet to receive your residence card, you must apply for a re-entry permit in order to be able to return to Denmark.

If you leave Denmark and do not continue your studies, you will need to apply for a new residence permit (ST1) if you will be studying at UCPH next semester.

Extending your residence permit/visa
If you return within the 6 months before your residence permit expires, you can apply for an extension (ST3) if you need to extend your stay. Note that you must apply before your residence permit expires.

Exchange and guest students can apply for 4 residence permits in a row.

If you are travelling to another Schengen country, please note that a resident permit only grants you the right to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

If you have any specific questions regarding your residence permit, please contact SIRI by telephone +45 72 14 20 02 – Line 2.

SIRI has created a Corona website, which they are updating continuously. Please be sure to check this website before proceeding. 

Below we have listed some general guidelines that apply in normal circumstances.

If you are planning to return to Denmark but no longer have an address, then you have the following options for returning:

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens without a visa requirement

1. If you are a citizen of a visa-free country (see SIRI’s list here), then under normal circumstances you will be able to enter Denmark for up to 90 days. However, please note that due to the current restrictions for travelling into Denmark, you should check with the Danish authorities for the most up-to-date advice regarding entry into Denmark.  
2. If your stay will be longer than 90 days, then you will need to apply for a new resident permit (ST1). Please contact us if this is the case at INT-admission@adm.ku.dk and we will help you with the process.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with a visa requirement

1. If you are a citizen of a country with a visa requirement (see SIRI’s list here) and need stay in Denmark for less than 90 days, then you need to apply for a visa. However, please note that due to the current restrictions for travelling into Denmark, you should check with the Danish authorities for the most up-to-date advice regarding entry into Denmark.  
2. If your stay will be longer than 90 days then you need to apply for a new residence permit (ST1). If you wish to do this, please contact us at INT-admission@adm.ku.dk and we will help you with the process.

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

1. As an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you are under normal circumstances able to freely travel into Denmark. However, please note that due to the current restrictions for travelling into Denmark, you should check with the Danish authorities for the most up-to-date advice. If your stay is for longer than 90 days, you will need to register with the Danish authorities.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at int-admission@adm.ku.dk.