Curious about where Denmark’s digital future is being shaped? Here we are at the IT University of Copenhagen, or ITU as it’s commonly known. It is a public university dedicated to the study of information technology.
Founded in 1999, the IT University of Copenhagen is Denmark’s youngest university. It was initially known as IT-højskolen. A new university law in 2003 led to its official recognition as a university. The IT University of Copenhagen then changed its name.
In 2004, the university moved to its current building in Ørestad. The building was designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen. The IT University of Copenhagen sits between the University of Copenhagen’s South Campus and the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. In 2020, the university expanded into the neighboring DR complex.
The IT University of Copenhagen has a clear focus. It specializes in the multidisciplinary study of IT. This includes computer science, business IT, and digital design.
Approximately 200 faculty members and 70 PhD students call the IT University of Copenhagen home. There are more than 2,500 students. Interestingly, in 2020, 38 percent of admitted Bachelor’s and Master’s students were female.
The IT University building spans approximately 19,000 square meters. It is located next to the 800-meter Emil Holms Kanal. This places it in the northeastern part of Ørestad between Copenhagen and DR Byen. DR Byen is home to the National Danish Broadcast Service.
Student life is vibrant here. The Student Council represents students from every field of study. It promotes student interests and works to improve their conditions at the IT University of Copenhagen. The Student Council also manages the Student Activity Fund. This fund supports activities that improve the study environment.
For international students, tuition ranges from €13,500 to €15,000 per year for both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. The IT University of Copenhagen provides access to dorm rooms for international students. This accommodation is offered to inbound exchange students. Some full-degree students may also receive housing. Living expenses in Copenhagen average around 6,500 DKK per month.
The IT University of Copenhagen takes a multidisciplinary approach to research. This includes computer science, software engineering, and data science. It also covers information economics, information systems, and computational social science. The IT University of Copenhagen also delves into the cultural and aesthetic aspects of IT.
The university’s research aims to strengthen Denmark’s ability to create value with IT. This research seeks to provide new insights for interaction and breakthroughs in digital culture. It also focuses on better resource optimization and technological innovation.
Several research centers operate within the IT University of Copenhagen. These include the Centre for Digital Play. Others are the Center for Computing Education Research, and the Centre for Digital Welfare. Also, the Centre for Information Security and Trust, and the European Blockchain Center. Finally, the Danish Institute for IT Program Management.
So, as you stand here, remember that the IT University of Copenhagen is more than just a building. It’s a hub of innovation, research, and education. It is dedicated to shaping the digital world of tomorrow.