An exchange student is a student from one of Aalborg University's partner universities (Erasmus, Nordic or overseas) who wishes to study at Aalborg University for one or two semesters and who has been nominated for exchange at Aalborg University by the partner university.

For more information on the nomination process, please contact the international office at your home university.

September intake
Deadline: 15 March

February intake 
Deadline: 1 October

What is nomination for exchange?

• Universities that hold an exchange agreement with Aalborg University select the students that they would like to go abroad during the upcoming semester(s). For more information on this process, please contact the international office at your home university.
• The universities then let Aalborg University know which students they would like to send to Aalborg University.

September intake
Deadline: 1 April

February intake
Deadline: 15 October

Spring semester = 1 February - 30 June (Even semester)

Autumn semester = 1 September - 31 January (Odd semester)

Studying at Aalborg University (AAU) may be somewhat different from being a student at other Danish universities. This is due to the PBL method. To make sure everyone is on the same page, please read the short explanation of AAU's PBL method below.

What is PBL and why is it important?

Each semester has a certain theme and there is a planned learning outcome. To achieve the learning outcome there are certain mandatory theory modules. Typically, there are three theory modules (5 ECTS points each) which all are prerequisites for the semester project/project module (15 ECTS points). There is no set number of lectures for a given module. It follows our PBL setup (Problem Based Learning) where the project module is a synthesis of the theory modules used on a real-life problem. The learning outcome for the project is also found in the curriculum.

The project module has a threefold (or more) purpose

1. Project group work strengthens the students’ cooperation capabilities
2. It requires students to reflect on their learning – it must be argued how and why they used the taught theory in the project or why not if they didn’t and why they chose to use a different theory, and
3. It helps students in transferring their knowledge into “how do I use this in the real world” as most often the group project will be undertaken in cooperation with a company, where the company presents a case/the problem to be solved/or is the data.

This means that students at AAU build their academic profile via the semester project. The project is a free-topic subject (however it must fall under the theme of the semester) where the students, in groups, do research about a subject that interests them and write a joint group report on it. It is through the semester projects each semester that the students can create their unique academic profiles, as they choose what to research. The project groups only last for the semester project. The next semester the students form new groups based on interest and thus the group one is in could be entirely, or only somewhat different the next semester.

As a consequence, there is no course selection as such. The semesters are pre-planned and stated in the curriculum. In the “Chose your exchange course at AAU” section below you’ll find more information on how to find the different exchange courses.

How time is spent throughout a typical semester at AAU

Most time at the beginning of the semester is used on courses/lectures but gradually that decreases and the project work increases. The project exam is an oral group exam where the project report is defended. 

• Information about the PBL method at Aalborg University

So the project report is like a very long essay, and it is not necessarily fun all the time – most likely it will be quite frustrating as there not only will be academic troubles in learning new theories and learning how to apply them but also the aspect of finding out how to work together in a group may prove to be frustrating. Afterward, hopefully, you will discover that is when you perhaps learned the most.

Further information on the PBL method.

Choosing your exchange course at AAU

Our exchange courses are part of existing study programmes. The exchange courses consist of 3-5 modules, including a project module. Semesters are pre-planned and as stated in the curriculum. Thus, mixing and matching different courses and programmes is impossible.

• Find your exchange courses at AAU

You can find detailed information on a section of guest and exchange courses with only specific semesters taught in English here:

• Information on Exchange/guest courses with only specific semesters taught in English

You can find the specific modules for exchange courses and programmes in the curriculum of the programme in question.

• AAU Curricula

Writing your master thesis as part of the exchange

It is an individual decision made by the relevant study board, whether you can write your master's thesis during your exchange stay.

Alternatively, you can apply for an internship (project-oriented course) at the desired study board in the semester before your master's thesis.

Your application must be submitted in the Application Portal. 

You need to create a profile in the Application Portal in order to submit your application for exchange.

Please note: You are responsible for keeping yourself updated on the status of your application by often logging into the Application Portal and by reading and responding to any new messages. 

Spring semester = 1 February - 30 June

Autumn semester = 1 September - 31 January

• Download guide to the Application Portal

Students nominated within Erasmus+ (mobility for studies only) will need to fill in and sign a Learning Agreement/Online Learning Agreement. 

To find out how to start your Learning Agreement, please contact (the International Office at) your home university.

The Learning Agreement is not part of the application process with Aalborg University (AAU) and you can only have it signed by your host department at AAU if you are fully accepted (depends on individual academic evaluation and on you providing all required documentation).

Information on the "host institution responsible person" for the Learning Agreement will be disclosed in the Letter of Enrollment for exchange.

The Learning Agreement is an academic matter and is to be handled between the student and the host department. The International Office is not involved in the signature of Learning Agreements.

The entire set of documentation must be uploaded to your application in the Application Portal. 

Please note: Aalborg University does not accept documents sent by post or email.

I am not sure about the documentation I have

Don't worry! As long as you submit your application by the deadline you will get a second chance. If the documents you have uploaded are not sufficient, we will reopen the relevant sections of your application so you can submit further documentation. We will give you a detailed explanation of the extra documentation we need and give you a deadline for uploading it to us.

Required documentation

• Certificates and academic transcripts in English
• Documentation for English language level. Please read the section below on language requirements carefully to find out how you need to document your English skills
• Copy of the section in your passport or National ID where your name, picture, and nationality are seen
• List of the course and the modules you expect to follow at AAU

Language requirements - English

Exchange courses offered in English at Aalborg University (AAU) require that your command of the English language is equivalent to level B (Danish level) in English. 

Please note!

When applying as an exchange student (including Erasmus) or paying guest you must upload one of the following:

• a passed test or other valid documentation for your English language skills as described below

or

• a receipt from the test centers confirming, you have signed up for a test. If you upload a receipt for signing up for a test please note that the deadline for submitting the test result will be as follows:
  • Fall semester: 30 June
  • Spring semester: 15 December

We do not accept IELTS and TOEFL tests that are more than 2 years old at the time of the application deadline. We do not accept the “TOEFL MyBest Scores”.

How can I meet the language requirement?

Please be sure to read the entire section before contacting AAU about how to document your English language skills. 

If your documentation is not described below, it is not considered valid English language documentation for exchange at AAU.

Ordinary types of documentation

You can prove your language proficiency by uploading one of the following:

• IELTS (academic test): 6.5
• TOEFL (internet-based): 85
• C2 Proficiency (CPE): 180
• C1 Advanced (CAE): 180
• ECPE: Passed test including certificate
  
  
• An English-taught qualifying upper secondary school diploma, Bachelor’s degree, or Master’s degree from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, or Ireland. (Minimum two years of the Bachelor or Master must have taken place in one of the mentioned countries).
• Applicants holding an English taught qualifying upper secondary school exam, Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK or Ireland (Minimum two years of the Bachelor or Master must have taken place in one of the mentioned countries)
• A Nordic or German upper secondary school diploma, International Baccalaureate (from the IB diploma program), or European Baccalaureate (from Schola Europaea) with an English level equivalent to a Danish B level in English with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on average (Danish grade scale).
• A Danish Upper secondary school diploma - 'English level B' with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on average.
• A Danish Upper secondary school diploma - 'English level A' with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on average.

Special COVID19 measures

Due to COVID-19, AAU will for the September 2022 and February 2023 intakes accept:

• TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition. Minimum accepted score: 85.
• IELTS Indicator online test. Minimum accepted score: 6.5.

With ETS offering this TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition and IELTS the Indicator online test, AAU considers the possibility to sign up for an official English language test restored and all applicants who don’t hold or have the opportunity to obtain an ordinary type of documentation (as described below) are required to sign up for the TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition or the IELTS Indicator online test.

Language requirements - Danish

Exchange courses offered in Danish at Aalborg University (AAU) require Danish at A-level. 

The requirement for Danish at A-level is met by Norwegians, Swedes, Icelanders, Finns, Faroese and Greenlanders by passing Danish, Swedish, Norwegian or Icelandic at an equivalent level.

If your home university does not have an exchange agreement with Aalborg University (or if the agreement they have doesn't cover the academic area you are interested in), you could opt to apply for a freemover/paying guest student semester of 30 ECTS at Aalborg University. Please note that fees apply.

To apply, please follow the application instructions for exchange students. Documentation requirements are the same.

If you only wish to join Aalborg University for one or two modules or if you are not currently enrolled in a higher education program, please apply via the Empty Place Scheme.

Are you a student at another Danish educational institution? Then you can apply for enrolment as a guest student on, for example, a minor subject, electives or individual courses at Aalborg University. It is a requirement that the applied course is included as a credit-granting part of your bachelor's or master's degree programme.

You must apply for a study place through Master Admission. Further information on the application process.

Want to know about the academic year, Danish culture, and the grading system in Denmark? 

We have collected information that might be of great importance and interest to you before coming to Denmark and AAU. Visit Living in Denmark.

Lotte Sølvkær (incoming exchange students)

Tlf.: 9940 9592
Mail: internationaloffice@aau.dk / lso@adm.aau.dk 

Rikke R. Sørensen (incoming exchange students)

Tlf.: 9940 7576
Mail: internationaloffice@aau.dk / rhs@adm.aau.dk 

Mette Sæderup Thorvaldsen (incoming exchange students)

Tlf.: 9940 7512
Mail: internationaloffice@aau.dk / mes@adm.aau.dk  

Lotte Sølvkær (Erasmus outside EU/EEA)

Tlf.: 9940 9295
Mail: internationaloffice@aau.dk / lso@adm.aau.dk 

Rikke R. Sørensen (Erasmus outside EU/EEA)

Tlf.: 9940 7576
Mail: internationaloffice@aau.dk / rhs@adm.aau.dk 

International Office at Aalborg University

Official Information from Danish Authorities is available in English on en.coronasmitte.dk and AAU & Coronavirus.

The Danish travel restrictions may change before you arrive or during your stay. Please keep yourself updated by reading the information on en.coronasmitte.dk.

If you are not sure how the entry information applies to your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact the authorities' hotlines.

From 1st February 2022 there are no longer COVID-19 restrictions in Denmark. There will continue to be recommendations for the use of face masks and corona passport for an example at hospitals and in elderly care.

It is also still possible for private businesses and private cultural institutions as well as associations etc. to make demands for eg corona passport or the use of a face mask /shield.

Current students including exchange students at Aalborg University receive relevant AAU-related corona information directly on their AAU-mail. This information, as well as answers to Frequently Asked Questions are also available on aau.dk/coronavirus (Danish and English versions on the same page).

Current (exchange) students that didn’t find answers on aau.dk/coronavirus are kindly asked to contact their study secretary for study related issues.

New or current exchange students with general, exchange related questions, please don’t hesitate to contact internationaloffice@aau.dk