ICS is integrated with the ordinary bachelor and master programmes for students at the Department of Culture and Learning at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, AAU.

Approximately 20 guest students - primarily from partner universities in Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Europe - enroll in ICS each semester.

Language of instruction
Language of instruction and project supervision is English. 

WHAT IS THE ACADEMIC FOCUS?
The International Cultural Studies (ICS) Programme covers research and teaching within the fields of culture, communication, politics and language.

WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION?
The vast majority of the courses available within the ICS programme are delivered in English, but there are also courses in Spanish. Project supervision is available in English, German, and Spanish.

WHO ARE YOUR CLASSMATES?
ICS is integrated with the bachelor and master programmes for students in the Department of Culture and Learning in the Faculty of Humanities.

Approximately 20-35 guest students - primarily from partner universities in Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Europe - enroll in ICS each semester. The ratio of guest students to Danish students in most classes is approximately 1:10.

WHAT TEACHING AND EVALUATION METHODS ARE USED?
Teaching is organized at two levels:

COURSES
Some courses will take the form of lectures with up to 100 students attending. Others will be offered as a seminar, with 5-30 students. All students are expected to complete recommended readings. Classroom activities include class attendance, participation in class discussions and oral presentations.

PROBLEM-BASED PROJECT WORK
Students who work individually or in groups formulate a problem or question of a theoretical or practical nature that relates to their project. Under tutorial supervision, they then collect and analyse data and discuss possible solutions to the problem. They submit a written report and sit for an oral examination at the end of the semester.

HOW MUCH ACADEMIC CREDIT WILL YOU RECEIVE?
Full-time registration (30 ECTS credit points) typically consists of 4-5 courses and a written project. Students receive from 10 to 20 ECTS points for their projects, and typically 5 ECTS credit points for courses that are assessed separately, i.e. without a project assessment.

ICS students may register for courses totaling 30-35 ECTS credit points.

WILL I RECEIVE A DEGREE FROM AALBORG UNIVERSITY?
ICS is not a degree granting programme. You will, however, receive an official Aalborg University ECTS Transcript (Transcript of Records) with the titles of the courses and project work you have completed, the grades you received for your work, and the number of ECTS points you were awarded.

WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS?
The ICS programme requires students to:

write an individual or group project - and ONE project only - and to sit for the oral project exam.
complete additional courses with various examination formats. The examination formats for these additional courses will typically be topic papers or on-site written or oral exams. 

Teaching is organized at two levels:

• Courses
  Some courses will take the form of lectures with up to 100 students attending. Others will be offered as a seminar, with 5-30 students. All students are expected to complete recommended readings. Classroom activities include class attendance, participation in class discussions and oral presentations.
• Problem-based project work
  Students who work individually or in groups formulate a problem or question of a theoretical or practical nature that relates to their project. Under tutorial supervision, they then collect and analyse data and discuss possible solutions to the problem. They submit a written report and sit for an oral examination at the end of the semester.

APPLICATION DEADLINES
For applicants from partner universities or for applicants who do not require a student visa (primarily EU citizens):
For students applying for a fall semester: April 1st
For students applying for a spring semester: October 1st

For applicants who require a student visa and who will not study at AAU as part of a partnership agreement:
For students applying for a fall semester: April 1st
For students applying for a spring semester: October 1st

APPLICATION FORMS
All applicants must complete an Aalborg University Application Form. You must also attach a copy of your academic transcript or record of examinations (which you should translate into English), as well as documentation of English-language proficiency.

HOUSING
Because Aalborg University does not itself own residence halls, most of the international students from exchange partner universities live in privately-owned residences called kollegium, or in rented rooms and apartments contracted by the University. Accommodations typically include a single room furnished with bed, desk, and closet. Sometimes you have your own kitchen and bath; sometimes the kitchen and bath are shared.

An application form for accommodation will be included in the arrival material that the International Office will send you when you are admitted. If you submit this application by the stated deadline, Aalborg University's International Accommodation Office will arrange your housing.

ORIENTATION
The International Office and International Cultural Studies offer orientation programmes at the beginning of each semester. Attendance at the International Office orientation is optional. Attendance at ICS orientation is required.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Fall semester: September 1 to January 31 (/December 23)
Most oral exams are held before December 23 or can normally be arranged for international guest students by that date.

However, a few oral exams will be scheduled for January. Where this applies, the course information will include a note pointing this out.

Consequently, it is possible to select courses enabling the student to return home December 23, but course options will be slightly reduced.

Written exams are normally held in November and December. Written examinations that are held in January may be submitted electronically.

Spring Semester: February 1 to June 30
Project reports are due May-June. Oral and written exams are held in May-June, occasionally in April as well.

ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT
An academic transcript will be provided at the end of each semester. The transcript lists the titles and prefixes of all courses and projects for which you were registered, the number of ECTS credits points you earned, and the grade or mark you received for the classes and your project work. The grade or mark will be based on the Danish 7 point scale. A recommended grade conversion scale and an explanation of the methods used to assess your work will also be provided.

COSTS
The cost of attending International Cultural Studies will vary from individual to individual, depending on their lifestyle. There are, however, minimum costs that all students should anticipate. When you apply for a visa, you will need to provide documentation that you have at least 50,000 DKK for one year of study.

FINANCIAL AID
Students from European partner universities can apply for scholarships through the Erasmus+ programme. Information about Danish Government Grants can be obtained at Cirius or at the Ministry of Education in your country. Students from non-partner universities in the United States may be able to apply for Stafford Loans from the US Department of Education. AAU's Identification number is 02604300.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
The International Office plays an important role in the international activities of the University. Please visit their website for useful and important information.

• https://www.internationaloffice.aau.dk/

Please find more information about entry and admission requirements, application forms and procedures, deadlines and tuition fees.

Application by self registration on STADS

or contact:

ICS coordinator Anne Grethe J. Pedersen
Kroghstraede 3, room 5.204
9220 Aalborg East
Tel.: +45 9940 9187
Mail: ics@ikl.aau.dk

Applicants applying for Master's programmes at Aalborg University must submit results of an IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge test with the below mentioned minimum scores.

Danish B level in English compares to:

• IELTS (academic test). 6.5 overall band score
• TOEFL (internet-based): Minimum score: 85
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (CPE): 180 / level C1
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): 180 / grade C
• ECPE: Passed test including certificate

Read more about language requirements

There are two registration periods: About two weeks before the start of each semester, you will receive an e-mail asking you to e-mail your pre-registration of courses you wish to attend, based on the course information available at the ICS website by that time. You will then be required to confirm or amend your course selection during the third week of the semester. No changes in registration are permitted after that time.

FALL SEMESTER
Late August: Orientation
September 1: Classes begin
Mid-September: Final registration
Early/Mid-November: Classes end; begin full-time work on project
November & December: Oral and written exams
Mid-December: Project reports due; oral exams for fall semester only students

SPRING SEMESTER
Late January: Orientation
February 1: Classes begin
Mid-February: Final registration
Early April: Classes end; begin full-time work on project
May & June: Oral and written exams
Mid-May: Project report due
June: Project exam

Application deadlines

For applicants from partner universities or for applicants who do not require a student visa (primarily EU citizens):

• For students applying for a fall semester: April 1st
• For students applying for a spring semester: October 1st.

For applicants who require a student visa or who will not study at AAU as part of a partnership agreement:

• For students applying for a fall semester: April 1st
• For students applying for a spring semester: October 1st.

Application forms

All applicants must complete an Aalborg University Application Form. You must also attach a copy of your academic transcript or record of examinations (which you should translate into English), as well as documentation of English-language proficiency.

Academic calendar

Fall semester: September 1 to January 31 (or December 23)
Late August: Orientation
September 1: Classes begin
Mid-September: Final registration for courses and project
Early/Mid-November: Classes end; begin full-time work on project
November & December: Oral and written exams (written exam in January may be submitted electronically.)

Mid-December: Project reports due; oral exams for fall semester students.

Most oral exams are held before December 23 or can normally be arranged for international guest students by that date. However, a few oral exams will be scheduled for January. Where this applies, the course information will include a note pointing this out. Consequently, it is possible to select courses enabling the student to return home before December 23, but course options will be slightly reduced.

Spring semester: February 1 to June 30

Late January: Orientation
February 1: Classes begin
Mid-February: Final registration for courses and project
Early April: Classes end; begin full-time work on project
Mid-May: Project report due
May & June: Oral and written exams (occasionally in April as well)

June: Project exam

There are two registration periods: About two weeks before the start of each semester, you will receive an e-mail asking you to e-mail your pre-registration of courses you wish to attend, based on the course information available at the ICS website by that time. You will then be required to confirm or amend your course selection during the third week of the semester. No changes in registration are permitted after that time.

An academic transcript will be provided at the end of each semester. The transcript lists the titles and prefixes of all courses and projects for which you were registered, the number of ECTS credits points you earned, and the grade or mark you received for the classes and your project work. The grade or mark will be based on the Danish 7 point scale. A recommended grade conversion scale and an explanation of the methods used to assess your work will also be provided.

Because Aalborg University does not itself own residence halls, most of the international students from exchange partner universities live in privately owned residences called kollegium, or in rented rooms and apartments contracted by the University. Accommodations typically include a single room furnished with bed, desk, and closet. Sometimes you have your own kitchen and bath; sometimes the kitchen and bath are shared.

An application form for accommodation will be included in the arrival material that the International Office will send you when you are admitted. If you submit this application by the stated deadline, Aalborg University's International Accommodation Office will arrange your housing.

Costs

The cost of attending International Cultural Studies will vary from individual to individual, depending on their lifestyle. There are, however, minimum costs that all students should anticipate. When you apply for a visa, you will need to provide documentation that you have at least 50,000 DKK for one year of study.

Financial aid

Students from European partner universities can apply for scholarships through the Erasmus+ Programme. Information about Danish Government Grants can be obtained at Cirius or at the Ministry of Education in your country. Students from non-partner universities in the United States may be able to apply for Stafford Loans from the US Department of Education. AAU's Identification number is 02604300.