Academics

Academic Quality

The average incoming GPA of a DIS student is 3.4 and approximately 90 percent plan to go on to graduate school. Students come to DIS from over 160 US universities, including many of the best colleges and universities in the country (see all Partner institutions).

DIS Programs

DIS is divided into programs, focusing on a specific academic field or topic, that consist of one core course and two course-integrated study tours: one short regional study and one longer tour to a European destination relevant to the core course content.

This integration of course work and study tours is a unique feature of DIS. The idea behind it is to offer students a strong academic focus while studying and traveling abroad without compromising their ability to choose elective courses from the more than 150 courses offered according to their major requirements and interests. Since study tours for all programs take place simultaneously, students may only sign up for one DIS program per semester (and one core course).

Courses & Credits

Most courses are three semester credits, while a few carry one or six semester credits. All courses are designed for upper-division undergraduate students, with the exception of Danish Language and Culture, and all courses are taught in English. Courses at DIS include a blend of lectures, group work, and field study visits in or near Copenhagen in reasonably small sizes.

Students must take at least 12 credits and may take up to 18, including no more than five three-credit classes (or three three-credit and one six-credit classes). Most students take two to three courses in their major or a related field, and one or two courses from a completely different discipline

Courses Through DIS at Danish Universities

While DIS is affiliated with the University of Copenhagen and a handful of other local universities, most DIS courses are designed and administered by DIS. Some local university courses are open to DIS students, and vice versa, to facilitate interaction between DIS and Danish students. Overall, about 30% of DIS students take a local university course as part of their DIS curriculum.