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| Danish | Københavns Universitet (Universitas Hafniensis in Latin.) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Adspicit lucem in cælestis ("Seeking light in the heavens") |
| Established | 1479 |
| School type | Public university |
| Rector | Prof. Ralf Hemmingsen |
| Location | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Students | 33,000 undergraduate, professional and doctoral students |
| Staff | 6,000 |
| Member | EUA, LAOTSE |
| Homepage | www.ku.dk |
The University of Copenhagen (Danish: Københavns Universitet) is the oldest and largest University and research institution in Copenhagen, Denmark. It has almost 33,000 students, a majority of which are Female, and more than 6,000 employees. The University has several campuses located in and around around Copenhagen, with the oldest located in central Copenhagen. It is the second-oldest university in Scandinavia. It, along with the University of Aarhus, is among the most prestigious schools in Denmark. Most courses are taught in Danish, however some courses are offered in English and German through exchange programmes with other universities.
The British fleet, under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson bombarded Copenhagen in 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen destroying most of the university's buildings. However, by 1836, the new main building of the University was inaugurated amid extensive building until the end of the Century. The University Library, the Zoological Museum, the Geological Museum, the Botanical Gardens and greenhouses, and the Technical College were also established during this period.
Between 1842 and 1850, the faculties at the University were restructured. Starting in 1842, the University Faculty of Medicine and the Academy of Surgeons merged to form the Faculty of Medical Science, while in 1848 the Faculty of Law was reorganised and became the Faculty of Jurisprudence and Political Science, and in 1850 the Faculty of Mathematics and Science was separated from the Faculty of Philosphy.
The first Female student was enrolled at the university in 1877. The university underwent explosive growth between 1960 and 1980. The number of students rose from around 6,000 in 1960 to about 26,000 in 1980, with a correspondingly large growth in the number of employees. Buildings built during this time period include the new Zoological Museum, the H.C. Ørsted and August Krogh Institutes, the campus centre on Amager Island and the Panum Institute.
The new University statute instituted in 1970 involved democratisation of the management of the University. It was modified in 1973 and subsequently applied to all Higher education institutions in Denmark. Further change in the structure of the university from 1990 to 1993 made a Bachelor's degree programme manditory in virtually all subjects. By 1999, the student population had grown to over 34,000, and the university appoints additional professors and other personnel.
In 1993, the law departments broke off from the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Social Sciences to form a separate University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law. In 1994, the University of Copenhagen designated Environmental studies, north-south relations, and Biotechnology as areas of special priority according to its new long-term plan. And starting in 1996 and continuing to the present, the University planned new buildings, including for the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Humanities at Amager (Ørestaden) along with a Biotechnology Centre.
Contrary to the tradition of most American dormitories, Danish dormitories in general and the old dormitories in particular only offer single rooms for rent. No student have to share their room with others. This is very probably one of the reasons why many Danish students live in dormitories throughout their studies.