Studying at KEA offers an inspiring blend of academic and cultural experiences. On this page, you'll find all the practical information you need to prepare for your studies, including semester dates, residence permits, and advice on arriving in Copenhagen. Explore our subject and course catalogue, learn about the active enrolment model, and connect with our international coordinators for support.
Exchange students
Practical information
If you’re staying in Denmark for more than 90 days, you’ll need a residence permit.
- Non-EU students: Start the application process before arriving in Denmark. The process can take 2–3 months, so ensure you apply as soon as you receive your acceptance letter from KEA. KEA will assist by completing the first part of your application. Learn more at nyidanmark.dk.
- EU students: Apply for your residence permit after arriving in Denmark. Book a special student appointment with SIRI and bring the required documents for fast processing.
When arriving in Copenhagen, you can travel easily by public transport or taxi. From the airport, it takes about 15 minutes to the city center by metro or train. Make sure to purchase a ticket before boarding.
For more details, visit the Practical Information page or reach out to your international coordinator for guidance.
Andreas is an advisor at our Build and Tech programmes. In addition, Andreas is the Erasmus+ coordinator.
Open counselling: Tuesdays at 11-13
Anne advises on the Digital programmes.
Open counselling: Mondays and Thursdays at 12-13
Freja advises students from the Design programmes
Open counselling: Tuesdays at 12-13 (in the Centre for Guidance and Study Support)
Living in Denmark
As a student at KEA, you’ll experience life in the vibrant and creative Nørrebro neighborhood, located near Copenhagen's city center. Known for its lively atmosphere, Nørrebro is filled with cafés, parks, and cultural hotspots, offering a welcoming environment for students from all over the world. Denmark is also renowned for its low crime rate, excellent public services, and a strong focus on social equality, making it an ideal place to study and live.
Leisure activities
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Sports
Sparta Running Club
Free long-distance group training every SundayNBRO Running
Running club based on Nørrebro. Very youthful, hip, social and always free of charge. #youllneverrunaloneSports centers around Copenhagen
Fitness, swimming, yoga, skating, ice skating, dancing etc.DoYoga
3 yoga centers in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen K and Vesterbro – cheap monthly membershipAbsalon
Cheap Yoga and Pilates classes in this cultural center with an incredible variety of leisure possibilities (you might want to grab community dinner after your class). Absalon offers activities for all interests from Crosquis, clay classes to yoga, zumba to Bingo-Banko NightsMeetup / Adventure Group
Join this meetup group if you’re interested in adventure sports like hiking, climbing, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking etc. and join Danes as well as internationals on various trips and events.Elstudio
A dance studio offering a great variety of dance classes as Dancehall, Reggaeton, K-Pop, Afrodance among others. You can book one trial for 60 DKK, and sign for monthly membership as wellSwingshoes Dancing / Lindy Hop
The Lindy Hop and Swing Dance scene in CPH is growing rapidly, and we think you should join this movement at SwingShoes!Planet Nusa Events
If you're looking to meet other young women, Planet Nusa is the perfect place for you! It's one of the trendiest clothing brands right now in Denmark, and they also have a strong community with free events.Mad & Kaffe
Mad & Kaffe is a chain of cafes situated across various locations in Denmark. They initiated a running club with a focus on mental and physical well-being. -
Music
Pumpehuset Byhaven
Pumpehuset is an outdoor scenary, café and bar offering open air concerts and other music experiences. On their webpage you can find a calendar and link to buy tickets for the events of interest.Bands in town
Keep track of concerts and events in Copenhagen.Roskilde Festival
Like music and festivals? Become part of a team of 30.000 volunteers contributing to this world-famous festival in the name of music. There’s a need for both all-year volunteers and for the festival itself only. And of course you get the entrance for free + other perks.Distortion Festival
Do you want to be a part of an amazing volunteer crew and make a difference, then you should join us at Distortion. It is fun and you get the chance to meet more than 1,000 other fantastic volunteers and experience both the street parties and Distortion Ø behind the scenes.CBS International Choir
Join this international choir at CBS, which is open to anyone. This is a social choir that often goes for a beer after practice. Songs are often from artists like David Bowie, The Beatles and the like.Amager Gospel Choir
This huge gospel choir practices every Tuesday at 19.00 in Købnerkirken in Amager – join them and bring about that happy day ;)Copenhagen Gospel Choir
Yet another gospel choir open to anyone interested – practice every Thursday in Valby!Stengade 30
Stengade 30 is a popular music venue with a looong history. Join as a volunteer and get involved in an exciting live music environement in Nørrebro.Copenhell
Copenhell is Denmark's greatest rock and metal festival, which has drawn metal fans from both within and outside the country's borders to Copenhagen since the beginning of 2010. Every year there's a need for volunteers, who of course get a free entrance. If you want to be a volunteer, check their crew page.Dortheavej 61 - Ungdomshuset
The Youth House is a place with a lot of history, where you can check out concerts and other activities for cheap/free. -
Geeky and creative
FOF
All kinds of weekly evening classes at a low cost (from painting, drawing, sewing and photography to floristry, jewellery and ceramics). See their flyer here.Shooting Copenhagen
Passionate about photography? Here’s your chance to join a photography or editing course!FabLab Nordvest
Fablab Nordvest is a non-profit community workshop run by volunteers, where you can get cheap access to a broad range of tools and digital production machinery.They have CNC-machines, laser cutters, 3D printers, a 6-axis robot arm, vinyl cutter, silk screen printing workshop and much more. Check out their FB Page for info on upcoming workshops.Workshop at KEA Maker Lab
Check out the workshops offered on a continuous basis at KEA Maker LabBastard Café
Bastard Café is a café for board games, card games, coffee and 'hygge' in Copenhagen.SMYKBAR
At SMYKBAR, you can create your own unique jewelry together with your loved ones in Copenhagen. -
Arts
SMK
Working on projects in close collaboration with museum staff – with the common vision: art should feel relevant to young people, and creativity should be part of their everyday lives. Check out SMK Fridays too.Nikolaj Kunsthal
Nikolaj Kunsthal welcomes young people to explore the world of contemporary art. The exhibitions address current issues like social, ethical, technological and aesthetic relationships, providing the basis for meaningful experiences – wonder, thought and fascination.Danish Arts Foundation
Keep track of a bunch of performing arts events and festivals around Copenhagen and DenmarkDanish Design Center (DAC)
Danish Design Center is an International Cultural Attraction located in the heart of Copenhagen. The center has exhibitions in innovative art, design and urban planning including events and guided tours. -
Film fanatics
Cinematheque, DFI
You can watch films, explore the bookshop, or relish an appetizer in the café.Meetup / Cinema Club
Join this meetup group and find friends amongst many other film aficionados! -
Volunteer work
Huset
Become a volunteer at Huset and a part of an amazing international network! Help with a multitude of cool events such as concerts, film screenings, parties, etc.GAME
Become a Playmaker at GAME and help organize events, coach street basket, street soccer, street dance or parkour to kids in less advantaged neighborhoods.KraftWerket
An ideation and project lab / “embassy” for Copenhagen youth. A place to start and get support with new projects, events, and political activities.Red Cross
Keep an eye on job postings in English – they always need extra hands!'Trampoline House
Become a volunteer in the house and help the many refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Denmark get a better start.Studenterhuset
Community kitchen, Bar & Café, Events, Films, Sports, even Repairing BikesESN (Erasmus student network)
ESN members of all the network countries - are working to make exchange better and to create a welcoming atmosphere for foreign students. ESN is both for full-degree and exchange students.Café Cadeau
Community created by sharing and embracing cultures.Mellemrummet café
Become a volunteer in this socially responsible and social hub. Mellemrummet is a café in which you might volunteer in the bar, in the HR department, as event planner, in the PR/comm. team or the like. Contact them and let them know if you’re interested!Stengade 30
Stengade 30 is a popular music venue with a looong history. Join as a volunteer and get involved in an exciting live music environement in Nørrebro.Dotheavej 61 - Ungdomshuset
The Youth house (Ungdomshuset) has different daily activities, from yoga, book café, thaiboxing to vegan community kitchen and concerts. It's mainly run by volunteers, so if you're interested, reach out to them! -
Mixed social activities
Mig og København
Keep yourself updated with the most upcoming activities in Copenhagen using this webpage. The events are usually accessible in Facebook and Instagram as well (MIGOGKBH)Meetup / Language exchange
Join one of these meetup groups and meet Danes as well as internationals interested in language exchange in a social context.Absalon
Absalon is a church turned into a cultural center with a multitude of fun social events, ranging from daily cheap community dinners (50 kr/person), theme parties, bingo, table tennis, backgammon tournaments, and Yoga + Pilates classes, to movie screenings, ceramics classes, linocut classes etc.
International activities at KEA
At KEA, we offer a range of activities designed to enhance your learning, foster creativity, and connect you with students from around the world.
- Workshops: Participate in short, intensive programs at KEA and partner universities to explore specific topics or skills.
- Charrette: Join KEA’s annual Charrette, a one-week interdisciplinary event where students from various fields and countries work together to develop innovative solutions.
- Summer Schools: Expand your knowledge and skills in immersive programs hosted at KEA or abroad.