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 165 US universities, including many of the best colleges and universities in the country (see all Partner institutions).

DIS Programs

The DIS semester is divided into programs, each focusing on a specific academic field or topic and consisting 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 160 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.

Courses & Credits

Most courses earn three semester credits, while a few carry one or six credits. All courses are designed for upper-division undergraduate students, with the exception of Danish Language & 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.

Students must take at least 12 credits per semester and may take up to 18, including no more than five 3-credit classes (or one 6-credit and three 3-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.

Summer students may take one or two 3-credit courses in three or six weeks during the early summer; or a 7-credit, 9-week architecture or design program in the late summer.

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.