Students secure university spots but struggle to find housing

Two Danish students accepted into Copenhagen universities this week say they face an impossible task: finding affordable housing before their studies begin.

Freya Haakonson Dunch, 24, from Sakskøbing on Lolland, received an offer to study Nutrition and Health at Copenhagen Professionshøjskole starting 24 August. She began searching for housing even before her acceptance, calling the situation “impossible.”

Christine Jensen, from Hillerød, was also among the roughly 60,000 students offered university places this week. She will study Film and Media at the University of Copenhagen but says securing housing feels equally out of reach.

“I’m watching Facebook groups, but it’s extremely difficult,” Jensen said. “Many rooms cost 7,000–8,000 kroner a month, which is too much when my student grant is only 6,000 kroner.”

Both have applied to student dormitories, but competition is fierce. Haakonson Dunch has expanded her search to nearby municipalities like Rødovre, Hvidovre, and Glostrup, accepting a 40-minute commute if necessary. Jensen, however, is reluctant to live outside the city, fearing long travel times would limit her ability to work part-time or socialize with classmates.

Jensen is now considering rejecting her university offer to take a gap year, save more money, and re-enter the housing hunt with stronger finances. Haakonson Dunch remains hopeful but admits the stress is significant. “It would be best to have this sorted before studies start,” she said.