Many upcoming students are concerned about the transition from youth education to university. SDU has therefore put the study start into focus. You will participate in an introductory course and be assigned to tutors on the first day.

You will also be offered courses in, for example, study habits and planning. An introductory tour will also be arranged. All of this is to ensure that you get off to a good start with your studies and your new life as a university student.

We offer a long study start period
You will have access to our online study start course ‘How to Uni’ once you have been accepted onto your study programme. It is an online course that will help get you off to a good start. How to Uni will guide you through your first semester. An introductory programme and a tour are planned for the end of August and will allow you to get to know your fellow students.

You should be aware that the introductory programme often takes place before the official study start (1 September). Once you have been accepted, you will be able to see the dates of your introductory programme on our website for registered students, MySDU.

The introductory programme is both academic and social
The purpose of the introductory programme is to ensure that you get off to a flying start with your new life as a university student, both academically and socially. The first period will therefore include both academic and social elements.

It is important that you also make an effort to develop a good social network during this period, as well as get an idea of the requirements and expectations that apply to you as a student.

We have clear guidelines for the study start
The planning includes particular focus on the process of integrating the academic and social aspects, and all new students must feel welcome without feeling pressured into participating in new activities.

The consumption of alcohol will not be permitted before and during academic events.

Dedicated tutors, who are all current students, will be there to welcome you. They will be on hand to guide you through the introductory days and tour. They have worked hard to put the programme together and are passionate about providing you with the best start to your studies as possible.
• Your tutors will welcome and guide you through the first period.
• The introductory programme will integrate academic and social aspects.
• Everyone should feel welcome at SDU and in all activities.
• The consumption of alcohol is not permitted before and during academic events.

The teaching methods at the university depend on, which course you will be taking. The different teaching methods also have different purposes:

Lectures
In the lectures, teachers create an overview of the literature for the course in question. You will become acquainted with the various theories, and the teacher will spend time on reviewing the parts of the literature that may be difficult to understand. If the lectures are attended by a high number of students, it may be difficult to start up discussions. However, there will always be an opportunity to ask questions or bring a topic up for debate. 

Practical assignment classes
Practical assignment classes are associated with the lectures for a number of courses. The classes take place in groups of 20-25 students. Tasks are solved, and specific cases are reviewed and discussed. Older students often carry out the teaching. The practical assignment classes are a good place to ask any questions or make comments about the literature being read.

Individual guidance
Time is almost always set aside for individual guidance, when major assignments and projects are being written. For example, this applies to the final Bachelor Project, where the individual student chooses his/her topic relatively freely, after which the assignment is written under the guidance of a teacher.

The bachelor programme is a full-time course of study, and it is therefore expected that you use much more time to work on your studies than the time set aside for attending lectures and exercises. It is expected that you spend a lot of time acquainting yourself with the material, working on practical assignments, and working independently on projects later on in the programme.

As with other university programmes, the bachelor programme requires that you are able to work independently. At SDU, we believe it is important that you can always get help, if you come to a standstill. For even though you are working independently, it does not mean that you will have to deal with everything alone.

Collaboration in your study group is one of the crucial aspects of your education. The purpose of study groups is twofold – enhanced learning – social ties and integration securing initial networking thus supporting your well-being as a student at our university. 

Within the intro days we will ask you to join predefined study groups, and throughout the first semester it is our aim to help you develop a good group dynamic by providing you with necessary tools to optimize your groups’ performance.

During the second semester you can either choose to remain in your initial study group or form new ones. Collaboration in the study groups should prepare you to work in team throughout your education and work life.

Everyday life as a student at the university is very different compared to upper secondary education. This can be both exciting and challenging. We have noted below the diversities to be aware of when preparing yourself for life as a bachelor student.

From high school to university
This is a university, and you are no longer a high school student. At the university you have fewer scheduled lessons, and there is no compulsory attendance. Instead we expect you to be solely responsible for planning your study in between the scheduled lessons. The programme is a full-time study, and we expect you to study full-time. There is a lot of literature to cover of which a great deal can be in English. There are assignments and tasks that must be solved. Lectures consist mainly of large classes, whereas in classroom exercises, taught by an older student, the classes are generally smaller. You will learn more and gain professional perspectives by spending time with your fellow students e.g. in a study group. After you adjust to the new study environment, you will realize that you have found your own studying pattern. 

Social life
On your first day you and your fellow bachelor students will receive a warm welcome from the current students. They will help you build social relations and get you started with the academic side too. We recommend that you join a study group, where you can support each other and strengthen each other’s academic competencies along the way. By talking to your fellow students, you will learn that most of them at some point have experienced self-doubt and insecurity regarding one’s abilities. This is quite normal when starting in a new environment, and it is therefore important that you bond with your fellow students and create strong relations from the very first day. This enables you to support and encourage each other during your time at the university.

Your study competencies
You are solely responsible for own learning at the university. It is your passion to learn that drives you forward. You are capable of working independently by planning in advance how to prioritise your reading material, study preparation, study group work, and assignments. There are immense profits to be made, if you structure your time accordingly. You will gain more by understanding the material and having an overview of the contents rather than reading and studying every single word on the pages of the curriculum. The programme’s entry requirements give a good indication of, where your academic competencies should lie; i.e. Mathematics A expresses that you need to have a high mathematical competency.

How to uni – an online study start course 
We have developed an online study start course in easing your transition to your study programme. You will receive access to How to uni, before you start at the university. The course introduces you to life as a bachelor student, regulations, study techniques, and our expectations of you.

SDU Sønderborg offers a completely unique international environment with researchers and 1,000 students from more than 50 countries, which creates a special atmosphere combined with international views and that uniquely Danish togetherness known as ‘hygge’. The main teaching language at campus is English. The study environment is characterised by friendly and close relations between students, lecturers and administrative staff.

The university and cultural complex – Alsion – is an architectural marvel. It provides well-equipped teaching facilities ensuring optimum conditions for researchers and students. 

SDU Sønderborg is located in scenic, historical surroundings in the city centre, close to café life as well as the forest, beach, and water. The view never gets old. SDU Sønderborg is located on the harbour with an uninhibited panoramic view of Alssund and Sønderborg Castle. 

Read more about SDU Sønderborg.

SDU has an active and diverse study environment that offers a number of student organisations you can get involved in.

Get an overview of the different student organisations at SDU Sønderborg. (webpage only in Danish)

You can apply for housing at Studiebolig Syd. Rooms are offered on a first come first served basis, so please make an application as soon as possible.

The more rooms you apply for, the bigger the chance that you will get a room by the time the semester starts.

Read more about housing for international students.

SDU Sønderborg belongs to the cultural and business domicile Alsion. The building is located on the harbour quay, surrounded by water. In the city itself you will find cafés, a library, a vibrant pedestrian street, and a rich cultural life and nightlife. 

In the summer, outdoor concerts are held in Mølleparken, and the rest of the year you will find no shortage of concerts at Sønderborghus, a regional venue. Sønderborg also has its very own youth culture house, Mejeriet, where you can hang out with friends, unleash your creativity, enjoy intimate concerts, attend a food club, or just meet other young people in the city.

See what Sønderborg has to offer you as a student.

The city is located on the island of Als, which is surrounded by a curved coastline spanning 250 kilometres. The beaches are an invitation for a swim, while the forests and the beautiful natural scenery provide space for activities, tranquillity, and depth.

In Sønderborg, the whole of Europe is also within your reach. This is where Scandinavia and continental Europe meet and bond together. Large cities such as Flensburg, Hamburg, and Kiel are our close neighbours, while the well-developed infrastructure with motorway and airport ensures short distances to other metropolises such as Berlin and Copenhagen.

Mejeriet (‘The Dairy’) is Sønderborg's youth culture house for young people between the ages of 15 and 30. Here you can, among other things, get together with other young people, do your homework, join a food club, and go to concerts. Follow the youth culture house Mejeriet on Facebook.