Denmark

Basic Information about Denmark

Denmark is based in Northern Europe and is the smaller of the Scandinavian countries. The Kingdom of Denmark also has two autonomous provinces; the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The population amounts to 5.6 million people. The official language is Danish, but most people also understand and speak English.

In Denmark you will find that distances are short – and this makes it possible to combine all the atmosphere of buzzing city life with the relaxation of the beautiful Danish countryside. The capital, Copenhagen, is one of the greenest capitals in the world and has an old, historical centre and a large network of pedestrian streets, bicycle paths and parks.

Denmark constantly maintains a high ranking in liveability surveys. 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.

In 2010 Denmark was yet again voted the happiest country in the world.

The Higher Education System

Higher education institutions in Denmark can be grouped in four main types:

• Universities offer Bachelor’s Master’s and PhD programmes in all academic areas at Danish universities.
  
  
• University level institutions of fine and performing arts, design and architecture offer research-based programs starting from Bachelor’s and continuing with Master’s and PhD programs.
  
  
• Danish University Colleges offer Professional Bachelor’s programmes in areas such as teacher training, engineering, business, nursing, health, nutrition and social work.
  
  
• Academies of Professional Higher Education offer 2-2, 5 year Academy Profession (AP) degree programmes and Professional Bachelor’s degree programmes.

For more information on Danish educational system, please consult the following websites:
en.ciriusonline.dk/education-in-denmark/the-danish-education-system/the-danish-education-system

studyindenmark.dk/study-in-denmark/danish-higher-education-institutions/academies-of-professional-higher-education

Making the choice to study in Denmark is easy. There are plenty of opportunities for international students – be it as an exchange student or a full degree student. The Danish higher education institutions are internationally oriented and offer a large selection of programmes and individual courses in English.

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 a 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.