Copenhagen, University of

one of the oldest universities in Denmark.

The university was founded in 1479 by King Christian I. Initially it contained only a faculty of theology. In 1736 a faculty of law was created, which in 1848 was expanded and became known as the faculty of state law. In 1788 the faculties of philosophy and medicine were founded and in 1850, the faculty of natural sciences and mathematics. Although there is no regulation concerning it, the final examination, as a rule, is taken after the fifth or sixth year of study.

In 1971 the university had five faculties—theology, law, medicine, philosophy, and mathematics and natural sciences; more than 20,000 students were enrolled; and the faculty numbered 177 professors. The university includes several research centers —the Niels Bohr Institute, the Institute of Mathematics, and the Institute of Anatomy. The library (founded in 1482) contains approximately 900,000 volumes (1972).