Study Start Master's Programmes
Congratulations on your admission and a warm welcome to Roskilde University (RUC). You are about to embark on a memorable journey at an extraordinary university.
Here, we will guide you through the steps you need to take when getting started at RUC and provide you with essential information about your RUC introduction programmes and many useful tips for your study start at RUC.
If you have any further questions regarding your study start during COVID-19, you are welcome to contact the International Admissions Office at fulldegree@ruc.dk or +45 4674 2010 (phones are open: Monday-Friday: 10 – 12).
Study Start September 2023
Practical Study Start info
On RUC’s intranet pages, you can find detailed information regarding RUC’s introduction programmes, course registrations, course and exam dates, SU (student grants) and much more.
Your introduction to RUC
At RUC, the autumn and spring semesters officially start on 1 September and 1 February, respectively. We recommend you plan to arrive two weeks before the official start of the semester.
Familiarise yourself with the introduction programmes for international students, the specific introduction sessions at you master’s programme and the other support available to you. They are essential opportunities designed to give you all the tips and tricks you need to get your study life at RUC off to a great start.
Foundation Course
Aimed specifically at helping you as a new international student to a good start at RUC, it is essential that you participate in the Foundation Course. The Foundation Course is a fantastic way to to get you off to a great start at RUC.
In the autumn semester, the course runs in the end of August and in the spring semester the course runs in the end of January.
It is free of charge and available for all full degree-, guest- and current international students studying at RUC.
In the Foundation Course you will be introduced to:
- The history and philosophy of RUC
- The learning principles and approaches to studying and research, and
- Last but not least, practical information about daily life as a RUC student
During the Foundation Course, we will assist you with practical matters with regard to moving to Denmark as well as starting as a new international student at RUC.
You will get a chance to meet fellow new international students and build a social and academic network already before your studies start.
Earlier participants have told us they thought the course had a profound positive impact on their study experience and was of great value to their studies at RUC.
Please note that this year´s Foundation Course will take place on campus with physical attendance. Students that cannot show up for the course can catch up on some of the essential parts of the course via videos on Moodle.
Video: Foundation Course
Introduction session at your Master's programme
In addition to the Foundation Course, you will be able to get a hands-on introduction to your studies at your master’s programme. You can find the dates for your study start in the information about your programme at study.ruc.dk.
How to RUC – online study start course
Before your study start, you will be invited to our online study start course called ‘How to RUC’. This course consists of various thematic modules that cover all the practical information you need as a new student at RUC.
It is essential to ensuring that you get off to a good start at RUC.
Be sure to complete the different modules of “How to RUC” prior to semester start!
Accommodation
Global network: Housing Anywhere
As you will soon prepare for your studies at RUC, we encourage you to find a room before your arrival. RUC supports the global network Housing Anywhere, which is a peer-to-peer platform where people can rent out rooms to international students.
Receive a RUC VIP profile on HousingAnywhere.com by signing up:
For students: Sign-up
For landlords: Sign-up
As a student, intern, PhD candidate, researcher, or visiting professor of RUC you are entitled to priority access to all accommodation available on Housing Anywhere. The platform allows you to choose from rooms listed by local students or verified landlords and securely book prior to your arrival.
For more information, check the local guide on living in Roskilde
Keep in mind: The housing market in Roskilde is very seasonal. So if you don’t find a room listed right away check back regularly.
Do you need more information or have a specific question? Send an email to vip@housinganywhere.com.
Links to tips and tricks on how to find accommodation
Check out our brochure Getting Started for tips and tricks on how to find accommodation.
You can find a lot of useful information in the International Students' Survival Guide to life in Denmark – also on how to find accommodation.
Handbook for New International Students
Read the handbook Getting Started with information for new international students. It offers a lot of hands-on information regarding student life at RUC and your stay in Denmark, for example, what to do before your stay in Denmark and what to do upon arrival and much more.
Buddy Programme
The Buddy Programme is a face-to-face introduction to Denmark, facilitated by current students at RUC, giving you an informal introduction to student life at the University. The Buddy Programme will also host common social events for all international and local buddies throughout the semester.
Register before semester start and we will pair you with a local buddy in a small buddy group, so you will have a friend from day one. Somebody who will help you around campus, and also somebody to go for dinner, lunch, parties and all sort of things with. Also, many fun activities will be arranged by RUC, exclusively for the Buddy Programme.
Read more and sign up for the Buddy Programme >
Life at RUC without COVID-19 restrictions
You can read more about how RUC handles the Corona situation on our dedicated webpage.
As COVID-19 is not under worldwide control, staff and students travelling and staying outside Denmark shall continue to follow the instructions of the Danish and local authorities.
You can find relevant and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 in Denmark in the links below.
Entering Denmark: Read the latest regulations regarding the Danish borders on the Danish Police Corona webpage.
COVID-19 in Denmark: You can find up-to-date information regarding the coronavirus-outbreak in Denmark on the Danish Health Authority's webpage.
More about RUC

How to get to Roskilde University (RUC)
Get a map over RUC’s campus and directions on how to get here.
Survival Guide
Get the International Students Survival Guide to life in Denmark - made by students to students.

The Student House RUC
Student House RUC is an open and inclusive meeting place for all students at RUC, where you can hold meetings, organize events and get together for social and professional meetings.
International Community at RUC
The International Community (IC) is a student run organisation that hosts various events to create a social platform for international and Danish students at RUC. Visit us on Facebook.

RUC Campus
Life at RUC is more than attending classes and conducting research. On campus, you can find many facilities for sports and social activities together, both, indoors and outdoors.