Denmark
Basic Information about Denmark
Denmark is a nation situated in Scandinavia in northern Europe. It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries and consists of the greater part of the Jutland Peninsula, as well as a number of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea and North Sea, such as Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The country is relatively flat. The population amounts to 5.3 million people. The capital, Copenhagen – often called the Paris of the North – has an old, historical centre and a large network of pedestrian streets, bicycle paths, and parks. The official language is Danish, but most people also understand and speak English.
Denmark has much to offer. Quality of life is a characteristic feature of the Danish society combining social security, a clean environment and an attractive business climate with high standards in education and research – also in an international perspective.
The Higher Education System
Higher education institutions in Denmark can be grouped in three main types:
- Universities offering research-based undergraduate and post graduate programmes (Bachelor, Master and PhD)
- University Colleges and Specialised Colleges offering undergraduate programmes (Professional Bachelor and Diploma programmes)
- Academies of Professional Higher Education (erhvervsakademier) offering 2 - 2½years academy profession programmes.
For more information on Danish educational system, please consult the following website: http://en.ciriusonline.dk/education-in-denmark/the-danish-education-system/the-danish-education-system/
Danish universities and other higher education institutions offer a wide selection of degree programmes and individual courses taught fully in English. It makes it easy for international students to find attractive study opportunities – be it as an exchange student or a full degree student.
Each institution is responsible for admission, and you can get further information about entrance qualifications, supplementary tests and the possibilities of transfer of credits from the admission offices at the institutions.
High quality in education
The quality of higher education is assured in many ways. It is regulated and financed by the state, and all public educational institutions are approved and evaluated on an ongoing basis. The institutions have a high degree of autonomy, but must at the same time follow the national regulations on teacher qualifications, award structures and external evaluation of their study programmes. This system is a way of setting national standards for higher education, thus ensuring high quality at all institutions.
All institutions use the European credit transfer system, ECTS, facilitating international credit transfer. Students receive certificates, diplomas or other types of documentation for all completed courses. All students finishing a full degree or a diploma programme receive a Diploma Supplement in English.
Scholarships
Denmark has launched a new scholarship programme for students from non-EU/EEA countries. Scholarships and tuition fee waivers are available for high performing students enrolling in certain study programmes. And some universities and educational institutions have their own scholarships. Contact the institution when you apply for admission. In addition, it is possible to apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to do a master's degree partly at a Danish and partly at another European educational institution.
Exchange/guest students
Your possibilities as an exchange/guest student depend on your home institution and the chosen exchange agreement. If you are studying in countries outside the EU you should seek information about grants and scholarships at your educational institution in your own country.
Students from the EU as well as outside the EU can find links to several scholarship programmes at the EU-database Ploteus.
