Academic Information
As all teaching at Aarhus University is research-based, courses have a strong academic foundation. The same counts for AU Summer Univerity courses.
Danish 7 - point grading scale: The grading system used in all State-regulated education as from August 2007 is the 7-point grading scale. The grading scale is compatible with the ECTS-grading scale. The ECTS grading scale: ECTS credits indicate the student workload required to complete a course. They reflect the relationship between the quantity of work required by each course and the quantity of work required to complete a full year of academic study at the University of Aarhus.
| Grade | Description | ECTS | Old scale (00-13) |
| 12 | For an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses. | A | 13 11 |
| 10 | For a very good performance displaying a high level of command of most aspects of the relevant material, with only minor weaknesses. | B | 10 |
| 7 | For a good performance displaying good command of the relevant material but also some weaknesses. | C | 9 8 |
| 4 | For a fair performance displaying some command of the relevant material but also some major weaknesses. | D | 7 |
| 02 | For a performance meeting only the minimum requirements for acceptance. | E | 6 |
| 00 | For a performance which does not meet the minimum requirements for acceptance. | Fx | 5 03 |
| -3 | For a performance which is unacceptable in all respects. | F | 00 |
Teaching philosophy at Aarhus University: In general there is no compulsory attendance at Aarhus University. This means that there is no checking up on students’ presence in class, which leaves students with a high degree of freedom - to be matched by their own responsibility and self-discipline! However some courses may have compulsory attendance because of a very strict curriculum and the need for special equipment during the course. Please read the course description and syllabus of your course in order for your to beware of the requirements.
It is also worth pointing out that Danish higher education in general is characterized by an analytical approach. Students are thus not only expected to accumulate and reproduce knowledge but also to compare, analyse and evaluate on an individual basis. They must give their own opinion instead of repeating another person’s or professor’s opinion.
The students expect a high academic content with focus on frameworks and methodologies followed by application on real world problems. Students are expected to have very good analytical skills but no work experience. International students may be more experienced as they have different backgrounds. All courses are followed by both Danish and international students. We hope that this classroom situation will pave the way for social interaction between international and Danish students and lecturers.
Find more information about the study culture here.