In Denmark, more than 200 higher education institutions offer study programmes of differing length and levels. The institutions can be grouped into two different sectors:
• The university sector includes 5 multi-faculty universities and 14 institutions specialised in fields such as engineering, veterinary science, agriculture, pharmacy, business studies, architecture, art, and music. The degree structure follows a primarily Anglo Saxon model with 3-31 year study programmes for a bachelor’s degree, a further 2 years’ study for a master’s degree (calledCandidatus degree) and another 3 years for aPhD degree. All programmes include the preparation of either a major project report, a thesis or a dissertation, depending on the level.
• The non-university sector comprises more than 175 specialised institutions of higher education,normally offering medium and short cycle professionallyoriented programmes. Some of the institutions are rather small with 400 - 600 studentsand offer one or a few study programmes in a specific field. A new development, however, is mergers of institutions into centres of highereducation with a variety of educational offers. Apart from the theoretical parts, the programmesinclude internships or work placements in
companies and the preparation of an individual project. All university study programmes are researchbased, and degrees are awarded both at undergraduateand postgraduate levels including doctoral degrees.
The medium cycle programmes last for 3-4 years and are at bachelor’s degree level. They qualify for positions as nurses, teachers, librarians etc.The short cycle programmes last for 1-2 years and are in the fields of business, graphic communication,
building engineering, etc.
International cooperation
Danish universities and colleges are active partners in international cooperation and networks, and they encourage their students, teachers and researchersto spend short or long study periods abroad. They also welcome international students and teachers on exchange programmes or as regularstudents/teachers. In 2000, nearly 200,000 students studied at Danishhigher education institutions. Around 4000 were visiting students from abroad. The number of non- Danish students on full programmes was around2,900, of which 50 per cent came from a Nordic country. Around 40 per cent of an age group ofDanes complete higher education.
Programmes and courses in Danish and English
Although the usual language of instruction is Danish, most institutions offer courses and programmes
taught in English. Visiting students thus have ample opportunities to follow courses without theproper command of Danish. There is also the possibility of attending one of the more than 50 full degree programmes taught in English both at undergraduateor postgraduate level. Intensive Danish language and culture courses are available for international students either as crash courses beforethe semester or during the term.
Several universities offer international summer university programmes of around 3 to 6 weeks’ duration. Denmark’s International Study Program (DIS) offers courses taught in English for studentsprimarily from the US, Canada, and Australia.
Grants and scholarships for international students
In general, there are no financial support or scholarships offered by the individual institution to international students, but there are other possibilities:
• Students from institutions in the EU and other European countries participating in the Socrates/Erasmus and Leonardo da Vinci programmes may apply in their own country for special exchange and mobility grants to carry out a fullyrecognised study period in Denmark.
• Students from institutions in the Nordic countries and certain other European countries outside theEU have other possibilities, such as the Nordplusm and Tempus programmes.
• Other agreements aim at exchanges and cooperation with North and Latin America, China, the Pacific Rim, etc. Various development funds support educational cooperation with the Africancountries. Students should seek further information
bout these opportunities at their educationalinstitution in the home country. A number of Danish governmental scholarships areavailable to non-Danish students and researchers from countries where Denmark has bilateralagreements on educational cooperation.
State educational support
State educational support is available for Danish citizens and – only on very specific conditions – also for foreign citizens, e.g. if you have been married to a Dane for at least two years before applying, have worked in Denmark for at least two years, or are a child of an EU/EEA citizen working in Denmark.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements depend on the level of study. Foreign students aiming at a full Danish degreeInternational students are eligible for admission to undergraduate programmes if they hold either a Danish qualifying examination or qualificationsrecognised or assessed as being comparable to these. Examples include:
• Upper secondary certificates and diplomas from the Nordic countries, the EU countries and other countries that have signed the Council of Europe Conventions on recognition of qualifications givingaccess to higher education.
• The International and the European Baccalaureate.
• High school diplomas from the United States either followed by university or college studies ofup to two years or supplemented by three Advanced Placement Examinations. This also applies to applicants with high school diplomas fromcountries with similar systems.
• Up to two years of university studies, possibly a bachelor’s degree in relevant subjects fromuniversities in countries not mentioned above (e.g. Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and many African countries).All programmes require a high proficiency in English. For admission to programmes in Danish, students must also prove sufficient command of Danish. Some of the study programmes have additional admission requirements, such as specific subjects
or level of subjects, practical work experience etc.
Students who do not meet the requirements may follow special single subject courses (called HFcourses) or one-year courses for refugees and immigrants.Admission requirements for master level programmes are at least an internationally recognised bachelor’sdegree of good standard or equivalent qualifications, proficiency in English, as well as Danish if the programme is taught in Danish.
Each institution is responsible for admission, and further information about entrance qualifications, supplementary tests, and the possibilities of transfer of credits can be obtained from the admissionoffices at the institutions. The deadlines for application for undergraduatestudies from applicants with foreign qualifications
are:
• Admission in August or September: March 15
• Admission in January or February: September 1.
Application forms can be obtained from the Danish institutions of higher education approximately 2month before deadline. The application deadlines for master and Ph.D.programmes vary, and the relevant institution should always be contacted for further information.Visiting/exchange students
Visiting students are accepted on an individual basis, often in connection with an exchange between two institutions or an official exchange programmesuch as Socrates/Erasmus or a governmental bilateral agreement. The student must be enrolledin higher education in his or her home country and may study at a Danish institution for a periodof max. one year. Potential exchange students are recommended to contact their home institutionsto investigate the possibilities to study abroad under an exchange agreement. If this is not thecase, you should contact the international office of a relevant Danish institution for information onindividual guest student possibilities, application deadlines, etc.
Credit transfer and recognition
All Danish higher education institutions must use the European credit transfer system – the ECTS –and have transparent procedures for credit transfer and recognition of qualifications.Tuition and ownership Most higher education is state financed, i.e. no tuition fees are charged. Although the institutions are subjected to governmental rules, they have
considerable institutional autonomy. Quality assurance and accreditationThe state approved institutions must follow some
general regulations concerning teacher qualifications, award structures, study programmes, admission,and quality control. These regulations assure the standard and quality of the higher education institutions. Private institutions may operate without approval, but if a private institution wants its students to be eligible for state educational grants, it has to abide to an accreditation procedure.Traineeships and work placements
There are a number of possibilities for traineeships and work placements in companies. They mayeither take place as an integrated part of the educational programme and be organised by the hosting institution, or they may take place after
graduation from a higher education institution as self-organised placements. They may also be organisedby the individual person and the company in question. Anybody may, of course, contact aDanish company directly or through a company in
the home country with affiliates in Denmark.
An integrated part of the educational programme International exchange students may apply for a work placement in a company if the practical training period is a recognised part of the student’s educational programme. The work placement is then organised by the exchange university. Work placements are possible both for students exchanged under the Socrates, the Leonardo and the Tempus programmes.Self-organised traineeships or work placements International students wishing to do a work placement
in Denmark but not intending to study at a Danish higher education institution may contactthe following organisations for help:
• IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience)
• AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales)
• The European Employment Services, EURES (only for EU/EEA citizens).
Higher education in Denmark is generally judged to be of high academic standing. It takes place in a dynamic and informal study environment. Smallseminars and working group activities constitute essential parts of each programme. The studentsare expected to play an active role and to develop a critical and analytical approach to the subjects. The study form requires a lot of hard and independent work but is considered to be academically rewarding for the individual student.The academic year is divided into two terms that run from late August/beginning of September tomid-December, and from February to end of May. January and June are the examination months.
Accommodation
It is difficult to find temporary as well as permanent accommodation particularly in the big cities. Campus facilities vary as the large institutions may be scattered throughout the city, as may the variousstudent halls and colleges. Most students
therefore find private accommodation in the cities. The prices vary, but expect to pay a monthly rentof DKK 2,000 to 5,000.
Student activities At some of the large institutions, the international office organises various activities for foreign students.
A network of student organisations bring students together for study-related activities, sport, and recreation, and in the large cities, there are international cafés where both Danish and foreign students meet.
Student jobs
Many Danish students have a job during their study programme. However, foreign students are not automatically granted a work permit. They may apply for a work permit for up to 15 hours’ workper week during the term and full time during the
summer holidays (June, July and August).
Residence and work permit
Depending on your country of origin, different rules and procedures apply for staying in Denmark. Nordic countries You do not need a residence permit, but if you want to stay for more than six months, you should
bring the internordiske flyttepapirer from your home municipality.EU/EEA countries You need a residence permit if you intend to stayin Denmark for more than three months. The permit may be obtained during the stay in Denmark.You should apply for this from the local county authority – the Statsamt. You must bring youradmission papers when applying for a residence
permit. No work permit is required, irrespective of the length of the stay.Other countries
You must apply for and be granted a residence permit before entering Denmark. Students shouldapply for the residence permit at the Danish Embassy or Consulate in the home country whenaccepted for admission to the educational institution
If you are invited as a student or researcher by a Danish institution of higher education, check with your host university whether you need to submit a particular form along with your residence application. A residence permit cannot be obtained during a temporary stay in Denmark, and you cannot expect to obtain a residence permit if the sole purpose of the stay is to learn Danish. To obtain a residencepermit, you must provide documentation that you can pay all the costs related to the stay (minimum
DKK 4,200 per month).
Foreign students are not automatically granted a work permit. They may apply for a work permit forup to 15 hours’ work per week during the term and full time employment during the summer holidays(June, July and August).
Further information
Please find references and further information on education in Denmark for foreigners as well aslinks to educational institutions, etc. at www.CiriusOnline.dk
