Copenhagen, Denmark: Design Field School 2027
DESN 3100 Design Field School (3 credits)
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EXPERIENCE - Bring to your studies renewed depth, purpose and national/global awareness.
Program Highlights
The Design Field School provides Interior Design students with an intensive international learning experience in Denmark and Sweden. The 10-day field experience takes students to Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark, with a day trip to Malmö, Sweden, where they will explore the relationship between culture, history, climate, geography, and the built environment.
Through guided site visits, design tours, cultural experiences, and self-directed study, students will examine significant architectural, residential, urban, and sustainable design projects. Highlights include the Design Museum Denmark, SAS Royal Hotel, Danish Architecture Center (BLOX), innovative housing developments, Nordhavn, CopenHill, Urban Rigger, DOKK1, and ARoS Aarhus Art Museum.
Pre-departure classes and research assignments prepare students to understand the cultural and design contexts of the destinations. During the field school, students will document observations through a sketch notebook and critically reflect on their experiences. The program emphasizes design thinking, creativity, academic inquiry, cultural awareness, social responsibility, sustainability, and global perspectives in design.
The field school offers students an opportunity to connect design theory with real-world applications while developing a flexible, open-minded approach to design practice and global communities.
Field School Highlights:
- Design Museum Denmark
- SAS Royal Hotel
- Danish Architecture Center (BLOX)
- Nordhavn
- CopenHill
- Urban Rigger
- DOKK1
- ARoS Aarhus Art Museum
Destination
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark: Design Field School 2027 Poster
Travel Dates & Class Schedule
| DATES | LOCATION | |
| Pre-departure Classes begin | Week 2 - Spring Term 2027 | WSD, Room TBD |
| Pre-departure Orientation | TBD | TBD |
| Travel Dates* | April 26-May 6, 2027 | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| last assignments due | TBD | TBD |
*Travel dates are subject to minor adjustments (within a 1-5 day difference) pending final reservations, but should occur around the dates as mentioned.
Cost and Payment Details
PROGRAM COSTS
| PROGRAM FEE | TUITION COST - 3 CREDITS | INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT | |
| DOMESTIC STUDENT | $3,975* | See tuition estimator** | Estimated $1,300*** |
| INTERNATIONAL STUDENT | $3,975* | See tuition estimator** | Estimated $1,300*** |
*Program Fee includes accommodation with daily breakfast, an expert tour guide, ground transportation and entry fees for all scheduled activities, and comprehensive travel insurance. International flight, transfers to/from the airport, personal expenses, most meals, and tuition, are NOT included in the fee. Program fees are an estimation only. The amount will be confirmed at the time of acceptance.
**Rate based on a 3 credit charge through Tuition Estimator for Wilson School of Design’s interior design field of study with University and KSA fees added. Please verify the latest costs by viewing the KPU tuition estimator. Additional fees may apply to your KPU account for the Multi-Pass and Kwantlen Student Association Extended Dental and Health Plan.
***Costs are subject to change. For a more accurate estimate, please search for the field school flight dates through your preferred provider.
PAYMENT TIMELINE
| PAYMENT DEADLINE | PROGRAM FEE | |
| NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION DEPOSIT* | November 6, 2026 | $800 |
| 2nd PAYMENT** | December 18, 2026 | $1,587.5 |
| 3rd PAYMENT** | February 5, 2027 | $1,587.5 |
| TUITION (3 credits)*** | January 27, 2027 | See tuition estimator |
*Note: The deposit goes towards the program fee. Applicants are welcome to pay the full amount up-front if it's more convenient, otherwise, the smaller installments are due by the due dates posted above.
**Cost is an estimate and is subject to change.
***Payment of academic fees, due dates, withdrawal charges, refund policies, and associated policies for academic fees are set as per the university calendar.
WHERE TO PAY
Make your payments on MyKPU.ca.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Funding opportunities are available for field school students.
| AWARD | amount | application | deadline |
| KPU International Study Abroad Scholarship | up to $3,000 | Download | Same as the application deadline |
| One World International Scholarship | $2,000 | Eligible students will be invited to apply for this scholarship once they’ve been accepted into the field school program. | Early 2027 |
| Guard.me Global Mobility Fund | up to $2,000 | Eligible students will be invited to apply for this scholarship once they’ve been accepted into the field school program. | Same as the application deadline |
Field School Scholarship Info Session 2026 (MS Team Online Meeting): 12:15-1 PM, October 2, 2026
Please contact Internationalprograms@kpu.ca for instructions on how to join MS Teams online meeting by October 1.
* Recording of Field School Scholarship Info Session 2026 will be available after the session is over.
Class Offers & Pre-requisite(s)
CREDITS OFFERED UPON COMPLETION
- DESN 3100 Design Field School (3 credits)
To enhance their experience in Denmark, students are encouraged to learn basic Danish. Exact days/times for the pre-departure classes are TBD. Some of the pre-departure work will be done self-paced over Moodle.
PRE-REQUISITES
- 45 credits of 1100-level courses or higher or permission of the instructor(s)
Students must be nineteen years or older at the start of the course.
All KPU students are welcome and are encouraged to apply. If you don't have the pre-requisites, please contact the field school faculty leaders with your questions, including your student number, program, and expected number of credits completed by Spring.
SEMESTER
- Spring 2027
Note Regarding StudentAid BC
- Core Courses Only: BC Student Loans will only cover field school tuition if the course is a core requirement. Elective field school courses will not be covered.
- Full-Time Course Load: Elective field school courses will not count towards the minimum full-time course load requirement for BC Student Loans.
- For example, if you are taking a loan for the Summer semester, you must enroll in at least 9 credits in addition to your elective field school course to be eligible for BC Student Loans.
Application Details & Deadlines
APPLICATION INFO
- Non-WSD Interior Design students interested in participating in this field school must submit a statement of interest outlining their reasons for wanting to partake in this experience.
- Applications from outside of KPU are encouraged, and will be accepted and considered based on seat availability and compliance with pre-requisites.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
October 16, 2026 (by 11:59 pm)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
| SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 | Applications open |
| OCTOBER 16, 2026 | Applications close |
| TBD | Confirmation of Acceptance (with scholarship results) |
| NOVEMBER 6, 2026 | Non-refundable deposit of $800 due |
| December 18, 2026 | $1,587.5 Second Payment towards the Program Fee is Due |
| JANUARY 27, 2027 | KPU Tuition Payment Due |
| FEBRUARY 5, 2027 | $1,587.5 Final Payment towards the Program Fee is Due |
Contact Information
FACULTY LEADERS:
Marlis Joller
Interior Design, Wilson School of Design
marlis.joller@kpu.ca
Jessica Gingell
Interior Design, Wilson School of Design
jessica.gingell@kpu.ca
KPU STUDY ABROAD:
Sung Jo Park
Study Abroad Coordinator
Connect with KPU Study Abroad
