Many Europeans have probably never heard of Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city. But as it turns out, European students know the city very well. In fact, they know it so well that Aarhus was recently voted the official Erasmus Destination of the Year for 2025 – ahead of 500 other cities across 44 countries.
How did Aarhus become so popular among international students?
Three interesting contrasts about the city and the university will help explain:
1: Serious academics, but casual hierarchies
Aarhus University has grown considerably since 2009 and is now a comprehensive university which covers almost all academic subjects. At the same time, it has been steadily climbing the international rankings. By now an established top-100 university, it ranks among the world’s best in subject areas such as computer science, political science, agriculture and archaeology among others.
Despite the academic gravitas, the university has managed to retain the informal tone that characterises Denmark in general. Many international students remark that at first it can feel awkward to call your professors by their first name, but you’ll soon get used to it. Also, most faculty members welcome students visiting their office to answer questions and offer academic guidance.
However, the biggest contrast to scientific seriousness is the annual boat race in the University Park. Organised by students, for students, the race has become a huge event attracting more than 25,000 people. All of them cheering a few brave individuals who take turns kayaking across a small lake, drinking a beer, spinning ten times, and then going back across the lake. The coveted prize for the winning team? A gold-painted bedpan, of course.
2: Old city, young inhabitants
The city of Aarhus is one of the oldest in Denmark and can be traced back to the age of the Vikings. But if you look at its population, Aarhus is growing younger and younger every year.
In fact, the average age of the Aarhus inhabitants puts the city as the second youngest of the country. This is mainly due to Aarhus offering a wide range of opportunities for tertiary schooling, attracting thousands of new students each year. The many youths help create a vibrant atmosphere around town, with an exciting restaurant scene as well as many other cultural offerings.
Aarhus University is the city’s main educational magnet. Its campus is located in the middle of the city, most famously in the shape of the large University Park dotted by yellow buildings. The campus has become part of Denmark’s architectural canon and has propelled Aarhus University to the top of several lists of the world’s most attractive campuses. In recent years, the university has even been able to expand to nearby areas, cementing its position as an inner-city university (which, to be sure, also does have campuses in a few other Danish cities).
3: From provincial to global
Aarhus University was founded in 1928 – almost 100 years ago – to serve the growing number of ambitious young Danes. Since then, it has grown into a more outward-looking university, collaborating with institutions across the globe and playing a part in the surrounding region developing into an international knowledge-based economy.
During the last decade, Aarhus University has also expanded its services towards international students, offering cultural and social events as well as connecting them to local businesses. This has surely played a part in why international students are having a good time in Aarhus, and why some of them even worked hard to ensure that the city earned the title as the best destination for Erasmus students.
