Details

• Denmark
• MACEMS-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The application process through CEMS is simply done via handing in your ranking at the beginning of the CEMS application process. Denmark requires no special preparation, maybe set up a Revolut account if you don't have one to avoid foreign currency fees.

2. Accommodation

Accomodation is provided via CBS. Nimbusparken dorm is the top choice, but similar to WU course sign-ups you have to be fast (and a bit lucky) to get a spot. It's a student residence very close to all university buildings - the max is a 10 min bike ride to the Flintholm building, the Peter Bangs Vej and Graduate House buildings are 1 min by foot. Very safe, but safety is not an issue usually anyway in Copenhagen.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure is solid - fairly new buildings, enough space in the libraries, good cafeteria etc. The academic culture is very theory and research focused, which is reflected in the teaching style. From an academic perspective, I strongly do not recommend CBS. The courses are (except for a few outliers here and there) taught in the worst possible style with multiple hours of the lecturer speaking to no one in particular and lack interactive elements. Content wise, there's also a heavy focus on theory and the university seemingly doesn't care about how any of what is taught can be applied or be useful in a real business environment. Exam formats are always either a final exam, paper, or paper+oral exam, with no deliverables during the semester. This is nice because it gives you flexibility but exclusively writing papers all semester gets old really fast. For the course comparison, the only direct comparison I can make is between the CEMS Global Strategy Course at WU vs the one at CBS. The WU one involves a (from what I've heard) fun but intense simulation, presentations and group work and just won best strategy course out of all the CEMS universities. The CBS one involves 7 (very boring) four hour lectures followed by a group paper based on the 20+ papers that are the basis of the course. After handing in the group paper, you have an oral exam that tests you on various concepts found in the papers. Nobody I talked to enjoyed this course. Shoutout to Lars Dyrhagen & Big Tech Platforms though, great elective for CBS standards.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport is quite expensive (very convenient though) so everyone just gets a bike rental (can recommend Swapfiets or a Donkey subscription). Copenhagen is super safe, no worries there. Regarding social activities, there are lots of run clubs, CBS golf sometimes hosts fun events that are open to everyone and joining CBS padel gives you discounts for various padel facilities. Gyms are also fairly affordable. Copenhagen has a great selection of bars/clubs (PS, Gorillas, Aben, Leanowski & Barkowski) as well as restaurants. All quite expensive though.

6. Testimonial

Although CBS is in my opinion not deserving of its great reputation, doing your exchange in Copenhagen can nonetheless be recommended. The city is a great hub to explore the nordics and offers a unique mix of cultural offerings and vibrant nightlife. Going to the sauna after a night out in the meatpacking district and having some traditional Danish pastries (although the cardamon buns are massively overrated imo) makes for an amazing experience and is exemplary of exchange in Copenhagen.