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Studying at Moesgaard Campus

Whenever I think of my master’s application period, I remember those days when I was looking for information about the programme that I am currently studying in, Visual Anthropology, and whenever I saw the campus name “Moesgaard”, my confusion. I had so many questions spinning around my head: Where is actually Moesgaard? How does it look like? Is it too far from the city centre and the main campus? How is the campus life there? Etc.

The lack of information about the campus is because there are only three English programmes that are taught in English out of six programmes: Visual Anthropology, Human Security and Sustainable Heritage Management. Therefore, it may be a bit tricky to find information about the student and campus life at Moesgaard before the arrival. I have been there and shared the same worries. One of the questions I hear the most from prospective students is also the same as I had in my mind.

First of all, the bus ride or the bike ride to Moesgaard is incredibly beautiful! It mostly takes around between 20-30 minutes to reach to the campus with bus number 18, which is basically our school bus. :D

On another note, I can firmly say that students live in the city centre, either in apartments rented on the private market and/or dorms scattered around the city through Studenhousing Aarhus and/or AU Housing. At least, there is no one that lives in Højbjerg area in my class, close to the campus. It is because the students only go to university either two or three days in the week and do not want to feel isolated from the city life, which I agree a lot.

During the bus ride, you realise that there are so many trees in the area and very pretty houses scattered all around south of Aarhus. It is actually a perfect route to take regularly; I loved realising how seasons change, how autumn arrives and how trees blossoms. You realise the season change very evidently on your way to Moesgaard.

Whenever you arrive to Moesgaard Campus, you see the big forest, the old farm of Herregården, which is now where all the courses take place and administrational buildings and one of the most interesting museums in Denmark, Moesgaard Museum (MOMU).

What to do at the campus?

Perhaps on your first day, you would take a trip around the campus. Then, you will find out about Herregården manor house from 1784. The wealthy Gyldenkrone family, which was part of the big wealthy Marselis family in Aarhus area, used to live there. However, the Marselis family went bankrupt, and state took over the manor. Since it was an active farm and the family used to live there, the park of the campus has a burial ground for members of the family. The feeling of studying at such a historical place is certainly amazing as well.

Another nice thing about the campus, as I mentioned earlier, is that the forest is massive where you can collect mushrooms and strawberries during your long breaks or after class. There are lots of edible plants and fruits in the forest. Alternatively, you can take a walk down to the sea.

Moesgaard Museum

As a student at Moesgaard Campus, you can visit internationally renowned archaeology and anthropology museum MOMU for free. The museum is actually one of the museums that have the best security system; hence, there are many valuable artworks and pieces from all over the world. The museum’s permanent collection is amazing source to learn about Denmark’s history and Danish origin. For example, one of the exhibitions presents several unrivalled archaeological findings from Denmark’s ancient past, among others the Grauballe Man, the world’s best-preserved bog body. The last temporary exhibition was about The Vikings in the East. Moesgaard Museum is certainly a museum where you can learn a lot!

In addition, the museum has a very nice café as well. As a student, you can buy a coffee card for 100 DKK which consists of 10 cups of coffee whereas the normal coffee prices are between 20-30 DKK. If you show your student card, you can also get some discount for food and pastries. Honestly, the museum has great cakes and croissants! ;)

Friday Bars

On the first Friday of my master’s degree, the Department of Anthropology organised several orientation activities for us, including games and presentations. It was on that day that I was introduced to Friday Bar concept in Denmark. Every programme has their own Friday bars where people can socialise with fellow students and sometimes even with professors every Friday afternoon from 15 to midnight most likely! The sad thing is Moesgaard’s Friday bar ends earliest at the whole Aarhus University because of the last bus leaving early around 22. L

Lastly, I can say that it was actually the first Friday Bar that I bounded with my close friends in my class. It is a great opportunity to meet with both new people but also get closer with your classmates. Moreover, according to the season, there are thematic Friday bars as well, such as Halloween, the Queen Bar, Oktoberfest Bar and what’s more.