International full-degree students
Read all about how to be ready for a life as full-degree international student at CBS and in Copenhagen. Get tips to find housing, apply for residence certificate or permit, and to connect with fellow students on campus.
How to find housing
Finding housing in Copenhagen can be challenging yet completely possible. CBS can only support exchange students, summer university students and freemovers, so if you are applying as a full-degree student , these tips can help you get started.
Make use of your network
Many students find a room through friends or contacts in Denmark. Reach out to anyone you know who might have a lead.
Join Facebook groups
A large number of rooms and flats are advertised in dedicated housing groups. They are updated daily.
Apply for student housing
Many students live in single rooms with shared spaces, known as a kollegie. There is often a waiting list, so apply early and broadly.
Explore areas outside the city centre
Copenhagen is compact with reliable public transport and excellent cycling paths. Living slightly outside the central neighbourhoods can make it easier to find a room while still staying close to CBS.
Share a flat
Flat sharing is very common among students and young professionals. It is an affordable option and a great way to build a network in the city.
Housing in Copenhagen
Hear international bachelor students share how they found housing and give some good tips to help you find a place to live.
Register for more options
Find more information and register for residence halls, rental and youth apartments here.
Residence certificate or permit
Nordic citizens
As a Nordic citizen, you do not need to apply for a residence certificate or residence permit.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens
As an EU/EEA citizen staying in Denmark for longer than three months, you must apply for a residence certificate. Learn more and apply online here.
NON EU/EEA citizens
What?
As a non-EU/EEA citizen staying in Denmark for longer than three months, you may need to fill out an application form in order to apply for a residence permit and you must pay an application fee.
How?
If you are an incoming full degree student, you apply online. Once we have received your tuition fee payment, we will initiate the application process and provide you with a login to continue the application. You receive further information together with your letter of accaptance.
Apply before arrival
If you need to apply for a residence permit, note that it needs to be obtained before entering Denmark unless your citizenship will allow you to travel visa-free to Denmark. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has a service goal of 60 days to reach a decision from the date they receive a fully completed application. I.e. if you submit an incomplete application, the timer resets and you should expect another 60 days before a decision is reached. CBS has no influence over Danish diplomatic missions or SIRI, and we cannot speed up the process for any student who applies late.
Application fees
Non-EEA/EU students must pay two application fees in connection with the residence permit application if they apply from abroad. Read more about the fees, the conditions and your rights
If you have questions you can contact CBS Admission for the bachelor programmes or master programmes
Get started in Denmark
Get a CPR number (Civil Registration Number)
Danish law requires everyone staying in Denmark for more than three months to register with the Civil Registration System – for Nordic or EU/EEA/Swiss citizens it is six months. Once registered, you will receive a social security number (in Danish referred to as a CPR number), which will be unique to you and which you will need for most registration in Denmark.
Nordic citizens do not need a EU registration certificate or residence permit to apply for a CPR number.
EU/EEA or Swiss citizens need to get an EU registration certificate from The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), before you can apply for a CPR number.
Non-EU/EEA citizens need to have a residence permit from SIRI before applying for a CPR number.
Welcome events for new international full-degree students
Online pre-arrival seminar
Join the online Pre‑arrival Seminar and get help settling in Denmark and at CBS. You will receive information and tips about registering with the authorities, housing, living in Denmark, and much more. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and meet fellow new students from all over the world.
The Pre‑arrival seminar will take place on 12 August from 15:30-17:30.
Find information about the pre-arrival seminar on my.cbs.dk (CBS login required)
Welcome event
Join the Welcome event and get essential practical, academic, and cultural information to support your transition to CBS and Copenhagen. You will learn more about study‑related procedures and exams, gain a deeper understanding of Danish culture, and discover how to get involved, make new friends, and build your network at CBS and in Copenhagen.
The Welcome Event takes place on 23 August from 10:30-15:00.
Find information about the welcome event on my.cbs.dk (CBS login required)
“Join our two events to get practical tips, meet fellow students, and feel at home at CBS right from the start. I look forward to welcoming you.” Cecilia
Student guidance counsellor
How to meet fellow students
Connecting with fellow CBS students is a great way to start your studies at CBS and help you build a network.
The International Student Ambassadors (ISA)
As an incoming international full-degree student you can connect with students throght the ISA. The International Student Ambassadors is a network of volonteer students who can give you advice based on their own experiences with coming to Copenhagen and starting studying at CBS.
ISA also try to bring international and Danish students together to ensure a multicultural study environment. They seek to promote the international environment at CBS through various events and help international students to settle in.
Read more and connect on The International Student Ambassadors (ISA).
Bachelor students
If you are a bachelor student you also have the possibility to reach out to a mentor in your programme. Almost all bachelor programmes have mentors employed who can help you tackle the challenges you may meet during your first year of study.
Your mentor is a student from the same programme as yourself - typically in the second, third or fourth year of the programme. Therefore, your mentor knows from experience what it is like to start at CBS.
Read more on the student intranet once you are enrolled.
Student life at CBS
Get a glimpse of the student life at CBS and find more information about how to find a community and kick start your social life on campus.
Read more
Get a head start on your studies
Learn all about the intro days and how you best prepare for studying at CBS.
Study and live in Denmark
Study in Denmark
Get tips on how to live and study in Denmark. Read about living cost, student jobs, health care and much more that is usefull when you come to Denmark to study.
Read more