Many prospective students are preoccupied with the transition from youth education to university. SDU focuses on the study start and from day one you will be part of an introductory course and have affiliated tutors.

In addition, you will be offered courses in e.g. study techniques and study planning. All to ensure you a good study start and a good start in your new life as a student.

You will have a long study start period

From the moment you are admitted to your programme, you will have access to our study start course How to Uni. It is an online course that will help you get started with your studies.

The study start is both academic and social

The purpose of the study start is to ensure that you get off to a good start with your new life as a student, both academically and socially. The study start will contain both academic and social elements. It is important that you also make an effort during this period to build a good social network in your programme and get a sense of the requirements for and expectations to you as a student.

You have an average of 12 hours of teaching per week. This means that you as a student have a lot of freedom to plan your study time. I.e. time you need to prepare for the classes, work in your study group, do assignments, etc. 

Different teaching methods

The teaching is a mixture of lectures, class teaching, group work and project work.

You will find and develop your own study techniques

Studying is a full-time job and being a university student requires a great deal of self-discipline. The literature is often complex and time consuming, so you learn what to prioritise in the examination syllabus and work consciously on how to best acquire and understand new knowledge. There is not one study strategy that works for all, and throughout the programme you will feel your way and find the techniques that work best for you.

Attending a university is different from what you are used to from your youth education. You might also doubt if university is the right choice for you. Maybe you are the first academic in your family, and it may be difficult for you to figure out how to be a student. We take that doubt seriously and try to provide answers to some of the thoughts you may be having. Because it is actually cool to be a university student – you work independently and you yourself plan how you want to prioritise.

When you start your studies, we make sure that you join a study group so you can discuss the reading material and the assignments with your fellow students, share experiences and give each other advice and inspiration. When everything is new, it is good to also have a social foundation – you are not the only new student.

In the beginning, many things will seem strange and difficult. You will find that a university programme is education at the highest level. You will meet older students and staff who can solve difficult academic tasks and who are in their element at the university. You are not supposed to be able to do that from day one. It is something you learn.

You will also discover that we use different terms at the university. You will no longer have ‘homework’, you will no longer go to ‘school’, you will not have ‘breaks between classes’, and you do not have to ‘go to class’. Instead, you attend a university, where you study and prepare and attend courses and lectures. And you take breaks to recharge and find new energy. It might sound like hair-splitting. We are serious, though. When we use these different terms, it is because it is something entirely different.

Studying at a university is hard but you do it because you want to. It is your commitment to immerse yourself and learn that will drive you. You work independently and you plan how you want to prioritise.

The almost 1,300 students and 170 employees on SDU Sønderborg’s campus Alsion are part of a vibrant and innovative environment. At Alsion, education, culture, research, library, café and business are all under one roof. The building houses one of Northern Europe’s best concert halls for classical, symphonic music.

You will experience a fantastic and dynamic study environment with a focus on career and targeted programmes. A special feature of SDU Sønderborg is the close collaboration with Europa-Universität Flensburg. The collaboration has resulted in an international environment with Danish and foreign students and with lecturers from both sides of the border.

Café Alsion is the best option for students and staff to satisfy their hunger. Choose between a buffet and various snacks, sandwiches, etc. Of course there is also a selection of hot and cold drinks.

SDU’s library at Alsion is equipped with areas for studying that allow for immersion, and you can always get help and guidance on information retrieval in the library’s materials and databases.

You have plenty of opportunity to get involved in the social life with your fellow students in Sønderborg. Read more about Sønderborg Student Foundation.

For the German part, the students run a students’ council, Fachschaft, which you can also get involved in – or just keep in touch with regarding events in Flensburg.

In the programme, we also have a spokesperson scheme: all year groups and language directions choose a spokesperson who meets with the Head of Studies to discuss the current course of study, so that we can continuously make adjustments if something is not working optimally. At the spokesperson meetings, both social and academic issues are discussed – and no problems are too small or too large!

As a student in Sønderborg, it is easy to get a roof over your head. The city has 6 dormitories, most of which are located close to the educational institutions and the city center.
In Sønderborg, there is a housing guarantee for young people who move to the city to study. At the Colleges' Office, you can sign up for a studio apartment and read more about how you can get a housing guarantee. We recommend that you apply for approx. 6 months before the start of studies.

SDU in Sønderborg belongs to the cultural and business domicile Alsion. The building is located on the harbor quay and there is water on all sides. In the city itself you will find cafes, a library, a lively pedestrian street and a rich cultural and nightlife.

In the summer, there are outdoor concerts in Mølleparken (only in Danish), and the rest of the year is full swing in Sønderborghus, which is a regional venue.
Sønderborg also has its very own youth culture house, Mejeriet (only in Danish), where you can hang out with friends, be creative, go to intimate concerts, attend a food club or just meet other young people in the city. See Sønderborg's offer for you as a student.

The town is located on the island of Als, which is surrounded by a 250 kilometer curved coastline. The beaches invite you to a swim, while the forests and the beautiful natural landscapes provide space for unfoldment, tranquility and depth.

In Sønderborg, the whole of Europe is also within your reach. This is where Scandinavia and continental Europe meet and bond together. Large cities such as Flensburg, Hamburg and Kiel are our close neighbors, while the well-developed infrastructure with motorway and airport ensures short distances to other metropolises such as. Berlin and Copenhagen.