Royal Danish Academy
Shaping the future through architecture, design, and conservation.
📍 Copenhagen, Denmark 🇩🇰
🏆 #11 in Denmark
Quick Facts about Royal Danish Academy
- Type: Public
- Students: 2,000
- International: 11%
- Campus: Multiple Campuses
- Tuition: $11,000 – $16,000/year
- Language: Danish, English
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
- Intakes: Fall, Spring
About Royal Danish Academy
Academics
The Academy is organized into three primary schools focusing on Architecture, Design, and Conservation. The teaching approach emphasizes a unique blend of academic research, professional practice, and artistic development within a studio-based environment. Notable programs include specialized Master’s degrees in Sustainable Design, Furniture Design, and Urban Planning. The curriculum is highly multidisciplinary, encouraging students to collaborate across different creative fields to solve complex societal problems.
International Students
The Academy offers a wide range of Master’s programs taught entirely in English, attracting a diverse student body from all over the world. International students receive support through dedicated orientation programs, language courses, and assistance with administrative requirements such as residence permits. The student environment is highly collaborative, with various student organizations and social events designed to foster cultural integration. Approximately one quarter of the student population comes from outside of Denmark, creating a vibrant and global creative community.
Campus & Location
The main campus is located on the historic waterfront of Holmen in central Copenhagen, providing an inspiring setting surrounded by water and creative industries. Students benefit from state-of-the-art workshops, specialized libraries, and extensive laboratory facilities. Copenhagen is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities, offering a safe environment and a high quality of life. The campus is easily accessible via the city’s efficient public transportation system, including the iconic yellow harbor buses and extensive cycling paths.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy enjoy high employment rates and are highly sought after by leading international firms and creative studios. The institution maintains strong industry connections through collaborative projects, internships, and annual degree exhibitions that attract potential employers. Many alumni go on to work for renowned companies such as BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) or establish their own successful design practices. The Academy also fosters a strong startup culture, providing students with the entrepreneurial skills needed to launch innovative ventures in the global market.
Information for International Students at Royal Danish Academy
Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, Denmark welcomes international students, with 11% of the student body coming from abroad.
- 11% of students are international
- Visa support available
- No on-campus work
- Student housing available (~$6500/month)
- Teaching languages: Danish, English
Admissions Requirements for Royal Danish Academy
Here are the key admission requirements for international students applying to Royal Danish Academy:
- IELTS minimum: 6.5
- TOEFL minimum: 83
- GPA minimum: 3
- Selectivity: Very Selective (<20%)
- Application deadline: March 1
Programs at Royal Danish Academy (18 programs)
Royal Danish Academy offers 18 programs across Bachelor, Master, PhD levels.
Bachelor Programs (4)
- Crafts in Glass and Ceramics (BA) — 36 months · English · €14,600/yr
A professional bachelor program focusing on artistic and technical skills in glass and ceramic crafts.
Field: Crafts
Career outcomes: Independent artist, Designer
Deadline: March 15 annually - Design (BA) — 36 months · Swedish · €14,600/yr
Focuses on foundational artistic and technical skills in design for professional practice or advanced studies.
Field: Design
Career outcomes: Design assistant, Independent artist
Deadline: March 15 annually - Architecture (Arkitektur) (BA) — 36 months · Swedish · €14,600/yr · STEM
Provides foundational artistic and technical skills required for professional practice in architecture or further Master's study.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Junior architect, Design assistant
Deadline: March 15 annually - Conservation (Konservering) (BSc) — 36 months · Swedish · €14,600/yr · STEM
Provides foundational skills in the scientific and technical preservation of cultural heritage and artifacts.
Field: Conservation
Career outcomes: Conservation technician
Deadline: March 15 annually
Master Programs (13)
- Computation in Architecture (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · STEM · Scholarship available
Focuses on digital design, robotics, and material fabrication within the architectural field.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Licensed Architect, Digital Design Specialist
Deadline: March 1 annually - Architecture and Extreme Environments (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · STEM · Scholarship available
Explores architecture in challenging climates and remote locations through research and design.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Licensed Architect, Researcher
Deadline: March 1 annually - Architecture and Culture (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · Scholarship available
Focuses on heritage, transformation, and cultural context within architectural practice.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Licensed Architect, Heritage Consultant
Deadline: March 1 annually - Political Architecture: Critical Sustainability (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · STEM · Scholarship available
Investigates the intersection of social justice, politics, and green building practices.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Licensed Architect, Urban Planner
Deadline: March 1 annually - Spatial Design (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · Scholarship available
Focuses on interior spaces, atmosphere, and human-scale environments through architectural design.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Licensed Architect, Interior Designer
Deadline: March 1 annually - Strategic Design & Entrepreneurship (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · Scholarship available
Joint program with CBS focusing on business leadership and design strategy.
Field: Design
Career outcomes: Creative Director, Design Manager
Deadline: March 1 annually - Conservation of Cultural Heritage (MSc) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · STEM · Scholarship available
Scientific and artistic preservation of artifacts and buildings to protect cultural heritage.
Field: Conservation
Career outcomes: Conservator, Researcher
Deadline: March 1 annually - Graphic Communication Design (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · Scholarship available
Focuses on visual identity, typography, and digital communication design.
Field: Design
Career outcomes: Creative Director, Graphic Designer
Deadline: March 1 annually - Fashion, Clothing & Textiles (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · Scholarship available
Advanced artistic development in sustainable fashion and materials for the global industry.
Field: Design
Career outcomes: Lead Designer, Creative Director
Deadline: March 1 annually - Visual Game and Media Design (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · STEM · Scholarship available
Focuses on storytelling, game mechanics, and digital media design.
Field: Design
Career outcomes: Game Designer, Creative Director
Deadline: March 1 annually - Furniture Design (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · Scholarship available
Combines traditional craftsmanship with modern industrial production for furniture design.
Field: Design
Career outcomes: Lead Designer, Furniture Designer
Deadline: March 1 annually - Master for Constructing Architects — 24 months · Swedish · Part-time · STEM
A professional master's program for building constructors focusing on advanced construction management.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Lead Constructor, Project Manager - Urbanism and Societal Change (MA) — 24 months · English · €14,600/yr · STEM · Scholarship available
Addresses global urbanization and sustainable city planning in a changing societal context.
Field: Architecture
Career outcomes: Urban Planner, Licensed Architect
Deadline: March 1 annually
PhD Programs (1)
- PhD in Architecture / Design / Conservation (PhD) — 36 months · English · STEM · Scholarship available
Independent research projects based on 'Research by Design' or scientific methodologies.
Field: Architecture, Design, or Conservation
Career outcomes: Researcher, Academic
Deadline: Rolling or specific calls
Scholarships & Tuition at Royal Danish Academy
Annual tuition for international students: $11,000 – $16,000/year
Visit the university's financial aid page for the latest scholarship information.
Rankings of Royal Danish Academy
- National Ranking: #11 in Denmark
- Ranking tier: Unranked
- Research output: High
Campus & Facilities at Royal Danish Academy
- Student housing available
- No sports facilities
- Disability support available
- Campus type: Multiple Campuses
- Average class size: 20
- Housing cost: ~$6500/month
Key Highlights
- Leading institution for architecture and design
- Focus on sustainable and creative solutions
- Unique blend of research and practice
- Many Master's programs taught in English
- Diverse and global creative student community
- Historic waterfront campus in central Copenhagen
Accreditation
- Danish Accreditation Institution (AI)
- Ministry of Higher Education and Science
Fields of Study at Royal Danish Academy
- Architecture
- Design
- Conservation
Notable Alumni
- Bjarke Ingels
- Arne Jacobsen
- Jørn Utzon
- Olafur Eliasson
- Lili Elbe
Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Danish Academy
What is Royal Danish Academy?
Royal Danish Academy is a public university located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It has approximately 2,000 students, with 11% being international students.
How much does it cost to study at Royal Danish Academy?
Tuition fees at Royal Danish Academy for international students range from $11,000 – $16,000/year. Student housing costs approximately $6500/month.
What are the admission requirements for Royal Danish Academy?
IELTS minimum: 6.5. TOEFL minimum: 83. GPA minimum: 3. Selectivity: Very Selective (<20%). Application deadline: March 1.
What language are courses taught in at Royal Danish Academy?
Courses at Royal Danish Academy are taught in Danish and English. International students need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
How many programs does Royal Danish Academy offer?
Royal Danish Academy offers 18 programs: 4 Bachelor's, 13 Master's, and 1 PhD programs across various fields of study.
What is Royal Danish Academy ranked?
#11 in Denmark.
Does Royal Danish Academy provide visa support?
Yes, Royal Danish Academy provides visa support for international students. Student housing is also available.
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