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Nestled in the middle of Ørestaden, The IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) is devoted solely to IT research and education. Denmark’s youngest university offers 10 programmes covering games, digital design, computer science, business, and software engineering — most of which are taught in English.
Sabrina Fonseca Pereira is one of many who has enjoyed her time here. For the Brazillian student, picking ITU was a natural choice. Before studying she worked in quality assurance in New Zealand’s education sector, a big part of her job in quality assurance within the educator sector in New Zealand involved analysing heaps of data. She also loved working in a Danish startup that made scuba diving cameras, where she was doing computer vision to recognise marine species. From these experiences, she saw the value in expanding her knowledge and skills in this field.
“I looked around for computer science and software development degrees and was surprised to find the data science programme at ITU at the bachelor’s level,” shares the 33-year-old, who was elated to get accepted into ITU’s BSc in Data Science programme. “The programme was perfect for me as it covered a wide range of subjects within data science that I could explore.”
In this programme, students start by mastering the basics of maths, programming, and linear algebra. They then build comprehensive analytical and technical skills in areas such as machine learning, algorithm development, and data management.
Over 2,500 students benefit from ITU’s state-of-the-art teaching and research in computer science, business IT and digital design. Source: IT University of Copenhagen
It’s an enriching journey, thanks to ITU’s support and focus on hands-on learning. Lukas Rasocha, another BSc in Data Science graduate, particularly enjoyed selecting project-based courses that put theories to the test. The Czech student fondly recalls the Network Analysis course, where he worked on a recommendation system for GitHub repositories.
“We developed an app which allows you to put the name of a repository into the search system,” he shares. “It will give you recommendations on which other repositories you might like based on the given one.”
Close collaboration with the industry
Here, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to fully explore their interests outside the classroom.
Rasocha did not hesitate to make the most out of his time here. He worked as a teaching assistant, a software developer, and even interned for a startup, where he developed electronic gloves that could be used to play video games. “If you have an interest in something, the programme gives you the ability to try and approach it,” he says.
Pereira got to travel to the US for a summer internship with an ocean research institute in California. Before this, the BSc in Data Science student collaborated with the institute while working on her thesis. “It was an absolutely incredible experience where I got to apply the knowledge I gained at university to real-world problems while contributing to ocean research and exploration,” she shares.
Lukas Rasocha loved how his BSc in Data Science let him learn by working on projects with startups. Source: IT University of Copenhagen
While these are memorable experiences, many students find their ITU lecturers just as impactful. Lecturers go the extra mile to ensure students are clear on complex concepts, which Rasocha found to be “less stressful” compared to traditional universities. Teaching assistants — students who have passed certain modules in previous years — provide academic support for students struggling to catch up in class.
Such experiences and support ensure ITU students are career-ready by the time they graduate — making them top picks in the industry. Pereira, for example, landed a job as a data scientist in a consultancy agency after completing her degree. Add the fact ITU hosts many career-related events, such as IT Match Making, BUILD Connections Lab and ITU Project Market, and students have many opportunities to meet and impress future employers.
Rasocha is looking forward to exploring the application of artificial intelligence and data in people’s lives — specifically in health technologies. He is confident in the knowledge he has gained throughout his degree.
Apart from a degree that’ll take them far, graduates also gain a lifetime of memories from their time living in Copenhagen. Despite being a mature student, Pereira quickly found her community and managed to immerse herself in the picturesque setting by biking around the city. “The last three years have been extremely challenging but also super fun. I learned more than I thought was possible!” she enthuses.
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