A young university with high aspirations
Aarhus University belongs to the international elite. In two prestigious ranking lists of the worlds best universities, Aarhus University is placed in the top 100. As no. 81 in the THE QS rankings, where Aarhus University is the third-youngest European university in the top 100, and as no. 93 in the Shanghai list.
Aarhus University wishes to combine research in new ways, with new subject areas and across traditional subject borders, in greater depth and in new and unknown fields. Aarhus University offers all types of research from basic, applied and strategic research to research-based advice to the authorities and knowledge transfer.
The main campus is located in Aarhus and, over the years, close and productive collaboration has been developed between the city and its educational institutions, a collaboration that is supported by the entire region. The Municipality of Aarhus ranks as one of Europes best cities in which to study, and emphasises the importance of its educational institutions for the city, especially the university. The city has created an inspiring environment that makes it attractive to both Danish and foreign students. View a soundslide from Aarhus University.
80th anniversary
In 2008, Aarhus University celebrated its 80th anniversary. In 1928, 64 students started in rented premises in the centre of Aarhus, and the universitys budget for the first year was 4.500 Euros. In 2009, Aarhus University offers a good and inspiring education and research environment for 35,000 students and 8,500 members of staff, who produce academic results of a high international standard. The budgeted turnover for 2009 amounts to 700 million Euros. The university has activities distributed over 20 locations throughout Denmark.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1997
The most significant event in the research world at Aarhus University took place on 15 October 1997. That was the day it was announced that Professor Emeritus Jens Christian Skou, DrMedSc, from the Faculty of Health Sciences, had been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for being the first person ever to describe an ion pump.
An ion pump is an enzyme that transport ions across a cell membrane. In 1957, Skou described the sodium potassium pump. This pump is an absolutely fundamental part of every living cell because it regulates the concentration of salts inside and outside the cell by pumping sodium ions out of the cell.
Since Skous discovery of the sodium potassium pump, a considerable number of enzymes with similar properties have been discovered. Read more about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1997
Aarhus University Strategy 2008 2012
Aarhus University has adopted an ambitious strategy for the period 2008 to 2012. According to the tradition of European universities, research and education are the cornerstones of a university. Aarhus University therefore has great ambitions to provide research, research-based advice to the authorities and education of a high international standard that is constantly being developed. As a prioritised activity, the university assumes responsibility for developing talented young researchers. As a distinguishing feature, the university wishes to support the development of talent all the way from the Masters degree level to PhD studies, and to include a first postdoctoral appointment. Read more about the strategy
University of AARHUS Denmark
