Copenhagen Business School

CBS was established in 1917 by the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education (now known as FUHU), which is a private educational institution. During the 1920s the activities were gradually formalised into a separate business school. By 1920 accounting had become the first full study programme. In 1922 the business school was spun off as an independent institution, and in 1927 it moved to new premises at Julius Thomsens Plads in Frederiksberg, where it continued to rent buildings from FUHU. FUHU retained strong influence over the school’s governance for decades through representation in its governing council.

In 1965 the business school became integrated into the Danish educational system as an institution of higher education. From that point its operating expenses were fully covered by the state, and the school was integrated into the national system of higher education while retaining its own legal personality.

From the late 1980s the school undertook a large physical and organisational expansion, gradually consolidating its campus in Frederiksberg. Dalgas Have, designed by Henning Larsen and completed in 1988, gave CBS a modern teaching complex. The opening of the main campus building at Solbjerg Plads in 1999–2000, designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, brought most activities together within walking distance and created what is now considered the heart of the university.

The school’s identity and name also evolved. Historically known in Danish as Handelshøjskolen i København, it began using the parallel English name “Copenhagen Business School (CBS)” in 1988, reflecting increasing internationalisation of its programmes and partnerships. Since 2003 the English-language name has been the institution’s primary designation, and CBS is today formally counted among the eight Danish universities.

CBS Campus

CBS is an urban university primarily located in four modern buildings in Frederiksberg, close to the center of Copenhagen. The main complex, Solbjerg Plads, was opened in 2000 and includes 34,000 m2 of student and office space surrounded by gardens and outdoor living space. Designed by Vilhelm Lauritzer Architects, the complex consists of interconnected concrete, glass and tile-sided buildings of varying heights that house student auditoriums, faculty office space, a cafeteria, the main library, a student bar and the campus bookstore.

Dalgas Have, opened in 1989 and designed by Henning Larsen Architects, is the oldest building currently in use. Owned by the Danish Pension Fund for Engineers and leased by CBS, the building includes 20,000 m2 of student classrooms, study space and offices distributed around a three-story 175 m long arcade. At the midpoint of the arcade a two-story semi-circular cafeteria sits below a semi-circular library.

Kilen (The Wedge) was opened in 2006 and includes 10,000 m2 of student classrooms, study spaces, and offices for research and administration. Designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, the four-story wedge-shaped building features a large oval-shaped atrium that extends the height of the building. The exterior is covered with full-story screens made of wood, matte glass or copper, which rotate in response to the Sun and weather. Kilen has been the recipient of numerous architecture and design awards such as a RIBA European Award in 2006.

Porcelænshaven, the fourth main building that comprises the CBS campus, is leased by CBS from the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education. Formerly the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory, the factory has been converted into 20,000 m2 of student classrooms, study spaces, offices, and a student residence. A central feature of the building, a 1,000 m2 main hall used for large events, stands in the old location of the factory kiln hall. As part of the factory conversion, Henning Larsen Architects transformed the old raw material storage building into 3,800 m2 of modern study space.