History, Affiliations and Rankings
Aalborg University was established in 1974, achieved University status in 1994 and began its expansion in 1995 by opening a department in Esbjerg with the merging of Esbjerg Engineering College. In 2003, Aalborg University opened a department in Copenhagen; and in 2010, the School of Medicine was created. AAU is a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU), the CESAER universities for Science and Technology, NUAS, and corporates with the Nordic Centre and University of Greenland and Erasmus+ program. Despite being a fairly young university, Aalborg already ranks amongst the best and most acknowledged international universities in the world. Since its establishment, the University follows an innovative teaching and learning methodology that is characterized by "problem-solving based and project-oriented" approach called the Aalborg Model. The university is ranked #326 as per QS World University Rankings 2022, #241 as per US News and World Report, placed between #201 - 250 as per THE Rankings 2022, and ranked in the bracket #301 - 400 as per ARWU 2020. The Times Higher Education also ranks Aalborg at #4 in Denmark
Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses
Aalborg University (AAU) has three campus locations in Denmark - the main campus at Aalborg, and campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen. It comprises 5 faculties with 19 Departments and 5 Doctoral schools under each of them. All Aalborg University campuses are modernized infrastructures, equipped with the latest technology, innovative learning spaces and situated in dynamic metropolises that exposes students to the best opportunities. AAU at Copenhagen is situated in former Nokia headquarters Sydhavnen, which is today, a world-class, modern university campus. Apart from these, AAU also has the AAU Innovation and AAU Shared Services that include the Aalborg University Library, Campus Services, IT Services, HR, Rector's Office and much more. The University Library is a public research library for the North Jutland region. The University Library is geographically located at Langagervej 2 in Aalborg, which is linked to smaller branches located on other campuses in Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen. At Aalborg, specialized courses within the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Technical Sciences are offered at the Bachelor's and Master's level across 11 subject areas. PhD and Continuing Education opportunities for working professionals are also available. International students can also attend Aalborg as an exchange student. Aalborg University at Esbjerg primarily offers Bachelors in Engineering and MSc in Engineering programs as well as programs in Chemistry, Biotechnology, Risk and Safety Management.
Accomplishments and Alumni
In the short span since its establishment, Aalborg University has become a world-leading institution that falls among the top 2% of the universities worldwide and top 5 in Denmark. According to the 2018 MIT report, Aalborg University is considered to have the best Engineering program in Europe - taking fourth place in the world. AAU has been characterized by an innovative problem-based and project-oriented teaching method (PBL), also called the Aalborg Model, and by an extensive collaboration with the surrounding society. Each year, researchers at Aalborg University generate world-class inventions and research results that have great commercial potential. The University has a number of notable alumni and people associated with it including, Erik Bach (Danish Composer and Music Teacher), Frede Blaabjerg (World known Danish Researcher within the areas of renewable energy and power electronics), Louise Nyholm Kallestrup (Danish Historian), Toke Reichstein (Danish Economist and Professor at Copenhagen Business School).
Student Diversity and Visiting Companies
Aalborg University has an overall student population of 19,400+ students studying across its 3 campuses, out of which 2,440 are international students who come from all parts of the world. The gender distribution in the student demographics is nearly balanced with 49.6% of the total students being women. 3,158 students study part-time at AAU at the Undergraduate level, while there are 454 part-time graduates. Student-faculty relationships at Aalborg University are informal, and the students can expect the Professors to know them by their first-names. Further, courses are designed such that students will extensively participate in group work and activities, which helps them build long lasting connections and friendships. Also, the University has an extensive international network of partner universities across the world, including with universities in China, and therefore, several international students visit Aalborg on exchange semesters creating opportunities for multicultural interactions on the campus. Siemens Gamesa, the LEGO Group, Orsted, Danske Bank, Aarhus University, COWI, Ramboll, KMD and other academic and corporate organizations recruit graduates from Aalborg University.
