13 questions at study start
Are you new to university life or has it been a long time since you went to university last time? Life as a university student is different than studying a professional bachelor's degree or having a job. Therefore it's important to make an effort to establish good study habits. It may be e.g. training your reading technique, notetaking, training your academic writing skills or working on structuring your everyday study habits.
Events that help you get started
The different counseling units as well as the library at SDU hosts workshops throughout the year in academic writing, good study habit, choices during your programmme etc. See the events at SDU.
You can also see current events at the front page of your programme's page.
On SDU's digital platform you’ll find book lists for all of the subjects you will be taking in the upcoming semester. The book lists are often not released until just before the start of the semester.
Ask your lecturer for advice
It is always a good idea to ask your lecturers for advice on which literature you must make a priority to buy and which literature is considered to be of secondary importance and which you may not necessarily need to buy.
SDU has it's own bookstore
The university has its own bookstore. Sometimes you may also be able to borrow the books you need from the library, or buy them used from older students or at www.pensum.dk.
For the full duration of your study, we expect you to stay updated about your programme through announcements from SDU on the following sites:
• SDU's digital platform
• Your student e-mail
• Student Self Service
• Your programme’s pages on mitsdu.dk
Remember, that it is your responsibility to stay updated on changes to your time table, exam plan, etc.
The study start test will show whether you have actually started your study programme. The test is held no later than two months after the start of your programme and you only have two attempts to pass the test. If you do not pass the study start test, you will be withdrawn from your study programme.
What exactly the test entails differs from programme to programme. Read more about the study start test in your study programme.
If you have previously studied in another Master's programme without completing it, it's mandatory to apply for starting credits. It's a legal requirement and means that the courses you have passed in your previous programme, may be credited as part of your new programme, making it comparably shorter.
Have you completed another programme?
If you have previously completed another Master's programme, you may apply for credits.
Learn more about starting credits and credits
How to apply for credit transfer varies depending on whether you have completed your previous programme or not. Read more under credit.
If you are not fully admitted to your master study programme, the courses that you need to pass, will be listed in your letter of admission.
You must send the documentation to the admissions office through www.sdu.dk/SPOC as soon as possible.
If you are studying for your bachelor at SDU, and you do not expect to complete it before study start, you can apply for permission to follow master's programme courses without having completed your bachelor's programme.
If you fall ill during the study start period or during your course of study, you must be aware if some of the courses have special requirements during the semester. It may be requirements on active participation, that is you must have actively participated in e.g. 80 % of the lectures to pass the exam, or assignments that must be handed in during the semester, to be allowed to take the examination.
In your curriculum you can find information about what types of exams the courses on your programme have.
If you fall ill
Read about what to do if you fall ill during the study start period.
You must order your student card through studiekort.sdu.dk. You will use your student card among others as identification, to access the university outside normal opening hours and when you have to use the printers.
When you order your student card you will be assigned an exam number, that you will need when you login to SDU's IT facilities for the first time.
If you need help on how to order your student card, you can find a guide here.
As a student at SDU, you have access to SDU's IT facilities, that is your student e-mail, the Student Self Service portal and SDU's digital platform.
You will reveice login information by e-mail
Unless you are continuing directly from another programme at SDU, we will send you an e-mail with information on access to SDU's IT facilities to the e-mail address that you stated in your application. If you have not received the e-mail within 3 days after accepting your offer to join your programme, please contact helpdesk@helpdesk.sdu.dk.
Do you have a permanent physical disability or a mental disorder, which requires special support in relation to completing a university degree programme, you can apply for Special Educational Support (SPS).
Are you eligible for SU? Read more about The Danish Education Grant and Loan Scheme.
We have made a campusguide, where you can get an overview of the facilities offered in the different campus cities ets.
Directory for your campus
In order for you to find your way around your campus, we have collected our maps in directory for our campuses.
At SDU there is a large number of staff, who are ready to help you during your course of study, and to help ensure that you benefit from your time here as a student.
If you e.g. have questions about your programme your degree programme secretary or academic student advisor/study mentor or lecturers may help, guide or supervise you. If you have questions concerning choices during your course of study, rules/regulations and procedures that apply to you, the Student Guidance Service are there to help you. And if you need help e.g. finding a relevant student job or writing your resumé the Career Guidance can help you with that.
