Technical University of Denmark

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a polytechnic university and school of engineering.

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) was founded in 1829 as the "College of Advanced Technology" (Danish: Den Polytekniske Læreanstalt). The Physicist Hans Christian Ørsted, at that time a professor at the University of Copenhagen, was one of the driving forces behind this initiative.

Ørsted believed that Denmark needed a polytechnic institute to train engineers and other technical specialists for the growing industrial sector. The College of Advanced Technology was initially located in a professor's manor in the heart of Copenhagen, but it quickly outgrew its space. In 1889, the college moved to a new campus in the town of Kongens Lyngby, where it is still located today.

The College of Advanced Technology changed its name to Danish Technical College in 1933, and to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in 1994. Over the years, DTU has expanded its range of programs and research activities, and it has become one of the leading engineering universities in Europe.

DTU has played a major role in the development of Danish industry and technology. DTU graduates have founded many successful companies, and they have made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including energy, transportation, and communication.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, Technical University of Denmark is positioned as the #109 top university in the world, which makes it the #2 top university in Denmark. The university's global rank is improved by 12 points from last year.