Roskilde University (RUC) Summary
Roskilde University is a public research university in Denmark. It is characterized by interdisciplinary education, project-based problem-oriented learning, social sciences, humanities, communication, environmental studies, natural sciences, computer science, global development, urban planning and project work. The university was founded in 1972, with a different educational philosophy than Denmark’s older, more traditional universities. The academic identity is built on the notion that students should not only learn theories but also investigate real problems, ask sharper questions, work across disciplines and produce knowledge through supervised project work.
RUC is particularly suited to students who are looking for a flexible, collaborative and socially engaged academic environment. Instead of studying one narrow subject from the first semester, bachelor students start with a broader interdisciplinary foundation and then specialize in one or two bachelor subjects. This structure helps students to link up different areas such as social sciences with business, humanities with communication, and natural sciences with environmental biology, chemistry, molecular biology, mathematics, physics and computer science.
Roskilde University offers three bachelor's programs at undergraduate level: Bachelor in Global Humanities, International Bachelor in Natural Sciences and International Bachelor in Social Sciences. The bachelor’s model, introduced in 2008, includes a one-year basic interdisciplinary part, followed by two years of specialization in one or two bachelor subjects. The bachelor subject options taught in English are: Bioprocess Science, Business Administration, Business Studies, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Cultural Encounters, Environmental Biology, International Studies, Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Physics and Social Psychology of Everyday Life. This is what makes RUC different from many universities, as students gain broad analytical capability as well as detailed knowledge of their subject.
Roskilde University offers a targeted portfolio of English-taught master’s degrees at postgraduate level. The specific master’s programs are: Business Administration and Leadership, Chemical Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Science, European Master in Global Studies, Global and Development Studies, International Politics and Governance, Mathematical Bioscience, Media and Communication, Nordic Urban Planning Studies, Physics and Scientific Modeling and Social Entrepreneurship and Management. These programs are ideal for students interested in development, politics, society, communication, sustainability, computing, environmental research, scientific modeling, business leadership and social innovation.
Roskilde University facilitates PhD level doctoral research through its departments and research environments. PhD candidates can work in communication and arts, people and technology, science and environment, social sciences and business, global studies, computer science, environmental science, urban planning, media and communication, business, politics, cultural studies and interdisciplinary research. To be admitted to the PhD, you need to have a relevant master’s degree, a strong research proposal, a good match with a supervisor, and the approval of the department and funding.
At Roskilde University, the tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens are clear. Tuition fees will be EUR 10,000 per year for programs such as Business Administration and Leadership, Global and Development Studies, International Politics and Governance and Social Entrepreneurship and Management; EUR 13,000 per year for Media and Communication; and EUR 16,000 per year for Chemical Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Science and Mathematical Bioscience for admission to a master’s program starting in September 2026. Non-EU/EEA applicants must pay an application fee of 165 Euro / 1,230 DKK unless exempt from payment. One application fee will cover up to three applications for admission to Roskilde University.
Also the location of Roskilde University adds value.
The campus is located near Copenhagen, but provides a more tranquil, single-campus study environment in Roskilde. Students have access to project rooms, academic communities, student organizations, green campus areas, Copenhagen-region employers and a city known for its history, culture and student life. Overall, RUC is a good choice for students who are interested in interdisciplinary learning, solving real-world problems, social relevance, project experience and a Danish public university environment that is less traditional and more experimental than many older institutions.
RUC is particularly suited to students who are looking for a flexible, collaborative and socially engaged academic environment. Instead of studying one narrow subject from the first semester, bachelor students start with a broader interdisciplinary foundation and then specialize in one or two bachelor subjects. This structure helps students to link up different areas such as social sciences with business, humanities with communication, and natural sciences with environmental biology, chemistry, molecular biology, mathematics, physics and computer science.
Roskilde University offers three bachelor's programs at undergraduate level: Bachelor in Global Humanities, International Bachelor in Natural Sciences and International Bachelor in Social Sciences. The bachelor’s model, introduced in 2008, includes a one-year basic interdisciplinary part, followed by two years of specialization in one or two bachelor subjects. The bachelor subject options taught in English are: Bioprocess Science, Business Administration, Business Studies, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Cultural Encounters, Environmental Biology, International Studies, Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Physics and Social Psychology of Everyday Life. This is what makes RUC different from many universities, as students gain broad analytical capability as well as detailed knowledge of their subject.
Roskilde University offers a targeted portfolio of English-taught master’s degrees at postgraduate level. The specific master’s programs are: Business Administration and Leadership, Chemical Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Science, European Master in Global Studies, Global and Development Studies, International Politics and Governance, Mathematical Bioscience, Media and Communication, Nordic Urban Planning Studies, Physics and Scientific Modeling and Social Entrepreneurship and Management. These programs are ideal for students interested in development, politics, society, communication, sustainability, computing, environmental research, scientific modeling, business leadership and social innovation.
Roskilde University facilitates PhD level doctoral research through its departments and research environments. PhD candidates can work in communication and arts, people and technology, science and environment, social sciences and business, global studies, computer science, environmental science, urban planning, media and communication, business, politics, cultural studies and interdisciplinary research. To be admitted to the PhD, you need to have a relevant master’s degree, a strong research proposal, a good match with a supervisor, and the approval of the department and funding.
At Roskilde University, the tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens are clear. Tuition fees will be EUR 10,000 per year for programs such as Business Administration and Leadership, Global and Development Studies, International Politics and Governance and Social Entrepreneurship and Management; EUR 13,000 per year for Media and Communication; and EUR 16,000 per year for Chemical Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Science and Mathematical Bioscience for admission to a master’s program starting in September 2026. Non-EU/EEA applicants must pay an application fee of 165 Euro / 1,230 DKK unless exempt from payment. One application fee will cover up to three applications for admission to Roskilde University.
Also the location of Roskilde University adds value.
The campus is located near Copenhagen, but provides a more tranquil, single-campus study environment in Roskilde. Students have access to project rooms, academic communities, student organizations, green campus areas, Copenhagen-region employers and a city known for its history, culture and student life. Overall, RUC is a good choice for students who are interested in interdisciplinary learning, solving real-world problems, social relevance, project experience and a Danish public university environment that is less traditional and more experimental than many older institutions.
