Denmark
About the Higher Education System
There are eight universities, 10 university colleges and 9 Academies of Professional Higher Education in Denmark. All three types of higher education institution teach some courses in English although the range is limited.
The Danish higher education system is quite different to the British system in that it offers two distinct undergraduate qualifications.
Universities teach three-year Bachelors degrees in line with the European norm. Academies of Professional Higher Education and University Colleges typically teach 2-year Academy Profession (AP) programmes. Most of these can then be topped up to full bachelor status by further study. The total duration of these bachelor degrees is between 3 and 4.5 years. These are Professional Bachelors degrees and they differentiate themselves from three year bachelors in that they always include work experience in order to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
Most bachelor programmes of both kinds give access to postgraduate education.
Entry Requirements
Completion of secondary education at advanced level, equivalent to passing the exam at the end of Danish upper secondary school, is the basic requirement for entry to Danish universities and university colleges. If you have A levels you should be eligible for entry to a Danish university. However, it is always worth checking directly with the university to which you wish to apply as there are exceptions. Some courses require that certain subjects have been taken to A’ level or to a level equivalent with the local requirement.
The precise requirements listed on the Danish Department of Higher Education website are: General Certificate of Education (with examination in 8 subjects where at least 3 are A-levels, alternatively 2 A-levels + 2 AS-levels, 1 A-level + 4 AS-levels. BTECs may also be acceptable if they are directly related to the course for which you wish to apply.
For further information please visit: http://en.iu.dk/recognition/entry-to-higher-education
Application Process
In Denmark each institution is responsible for its own admissions. There is no central admissions process so you are required to apply directly to each university or academy of interest. The application deadline for most courses is 15th March.
How much does it cost?
Danish universities do not charge tuition fees. There are currently no private universities in Denmark.
How do I get a visa?
As Denmark is part of the European Union this is not required. You may need to register with the local authorities once you are resident in Denmark but this is not a step you need to undertake in advance.
Can I work there as a student?
If you have an EU passport you can work while you are a student.
Which are the best universities?
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
- Aarhus University
- University of Copenhagen
- University of Southern Denmark
- Aalborg University
With the exception of DTU all of these universities have a limited number of bachelors degrees taught in English.
Universities in Denmark
- Zealand Institute of Business and Technology
- Lillebaelt Academy of Professional Higher Education
- Green Academy Aarhus
- IT University of Copenhagen
- Business Academy Copenhagen North
- Business Academy Southwest
- Aarhus University
- Copenhagen University College of Engineering
- University College Southern Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark Sonderborg
- Aarhus University, Institute of Business & Technology
- Metropolitan University College
- Aalborg University Esbjerg
- Aalborg University
- TEKO Design and Business School
- Business Academy Copenhagen
- University College of Northern Denmark
- University College Sealand
- Copenhagen School of Design & Technology
- DANIA - Danish Academy of Business & Technology
- Aalborg University Copenhagen
- University of Aarhus
- International Business Academy
- Roskilde University
- VIA University College
- Zealand Business College
- University of Southern Denmark
- Business Academy Aarhus
- Copenhagen Business School