Denmark, with its 406 islands and 7,300 km of coastlines, is experiencing a steady growing number of exchange students. As one of Europe's oldest nations and rising not higher than 173 m above the sea line - Denmark offers a pleasant stay, full with cultural experiences and a high quality education system.
Study in Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark is one of the oldest states in Europe with a constitutional monarchy dating back to year 1000. Situated in the northern Europe, Denmark is the southern nation of the three states constituting Scandinavia. During the winter the temperature falls to 5–10°C and rises to 15–25°C during the summers, offering four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Positioned on the border of the Northern Sea and the Baltic Sea the Danes are strongly interwoven with Europe, and since 1973 a member of the European Union as well as a part of NATO. Every fourth year the government is democratically elected. The Danish Parliament - the Folketinget - is by European measures crowded with political parties - often as many as 15 different groups ranging from left to right.
Denmark
Denmark is flat a prosperous agriculture nation which produce a considerable amounts of manufactured food exported to other countries. Other Danish products that travel the world are beer, medicines, furniture, shipping, wind turbines and products of the advanced metal industries.
Denmark has a well developed modern welfare system and is ranked among the countries in the world with the highest standard of living. A very high percentage of the Danish women are active on the labour market, and since the mid 1990es the unemployment rate has been relatively low. The industry accounts for a major part of the export incomes but since finding oil in the North Sea, oil and natural gas has become increasingly important to the economy.
The educational level of the population in Denmark is quite high. Tuition is free, and the compulsory education last for nine years. Adult learning plays a considerable role in the educational system, and Denmark is known for its local associations at grass root level.
The official language in Denmark is Danish but most people understand and speak English quite well.
Copenhagen – the capital of Denmark
The capital Copenhagen is often called the Paris of the North and houses around 1.2 million inhabitants. The city has a characteristic of old historical centre, small boutiques and a large network of pedestrian streets. Here travelling by bicycle is an easy sport with almost no hills and a well developed system of bicycle paths.
Denmark in Numbers
- Declared Independence: Somewhere around year 900
- Government: Parliamentary democracy, Constitutional monarchy
- Capital (and largest city): Copenhagen
- Official language: Danish
- Area: 43,094 km² (134th2)
- Population: 5,500,000
- Currency: Danish krone (DKK)
- Calling code: +45
Education in Denmark
Danish higher education comes with a long academic tradition which combines excellence with a dynamic and innovative culture. High academic standards, interdisciplinary studies and project-based activities are a few features you will experience taking part of the Danish learning system. The Danes invests around 8 pct of the GDP in this system which has proven successful - the number of Nobel Prizes per capita is the third highest in the world.
The quality of higher education is regulated and financed by the state and evaluated on an ongoing basis. The institutions have a high degree of independency, but must at the same time follow the national regulations on teacher qualifications, award structures and external evaluation of their study programmes.
Studying In Denmark, you can earn an internationally recognised exam or add credits to your national degree, while experiencing the Danish culture, society and way of living. Many higher education institutions cooperate with business and research institutions, bringing about an enriching and up-to-date learning environment.
The Danish higher education institutions
Several higher education institutions offer summer courses taught in English which gives you a wonderful opportunity to experience Denmark at its best. If you want to stay longer, there are three types of institutions at a higher level- each with a well-defined profile and quality. These institutions cooperate in various areas making it easy transferring credits over the institutional borders. Most schools in Denmark use the European credit transfer system, ECTS, facilitating international credit transfer.
The Danish universities Denmark has five universities: Copenhagen University, Aarhus University, Danmarks Technical University, Syddansk University and Aalborg University covering a vast field of research areas. The institutions are offering three types of academic examines: The Bachelor, the candidatus and the PhD reaching from three years of education up eight year.
- 3-year bachelor programmes (BSc/BA).
- 2-year candidatus programmes (MSc/MA).
- 3-year PhD programmes
In Denmark the university programmes are held at faculties situated in the larger cities, which are either built up with multi-faculty institutions or specialised institutions such as technical science, agriculture and veterinary science, business and architecture.
As an international student you etiher go by a degree programme, exchange/guest student programme or a summer university programme. A vast selection of the programmes and courses offered in Denmark are taught in English.
University colleges/Colleges in Denmark
The University Colleges are institutions which have a professional focus and combine theoretical studies with applied research and practical application. Most of the University Colleges in Denmark have a strong regional commitment and are offering 3-4 - year professional bachelor programmes in fields such as business, education, engineering, IT, nursing and social work. These bachelor programmes are always including a larger project and lean on work placements.
The Academies of professional higher education
The Danish Academies of professional higher education have a very strong linkages with the regional business life in Denmark and are combining theoretical studies with a practice-oriented education. The programmes are around two years long and usually completed with a project of 3 months' duration.
Admission and tuition
The admission requirements are depending on the level of study which also applies the application procedure and deadlines. Tuition in Denmark is free for all EU/EEA members as well as for students participating in the exchange programmes. All other students have to pay a tuition fee.
All programmes require a high proficiency in English and that you hold qualifications comparable to a Danish qualifying examination. For admission to programmes in Danish, you must also prove sufficient command of Danish by taking The Studytest of Danish as a Foreign Language (Studieprøven i dansk som andetsprog) or The Danish Test 2 (Danskprøve 2). Some programmes may even require that you have passed The Danish Test 3 (Danskprøve 3).
Depending on the education you could be asked for additional admission requirements, such as specific subjects, level of subjects or practical work experience. In order to apply for the master programmes in Denmark you need an internationally recognised bachelor's degree or the equivalent. You also need to show proficiency in English, or if you are applying for programmes held in Danish, proficiency in Danish. Regarding the PHD programmes the requirement is at least a master level qualification.
For general assessment and if you have any questions concerning studying in Denmark; entrance qualifications, supplementary tests, and the possibilities of transfer of credits visit the www.ciriusonline.dk (Assessment and recognition).
Application deadlines in Denmark
Most of the undergraduate programmes in Denmark begin in fall and the application deadline is the 15th of March. Some institutions offer admission in January or February and then the deadline the 1st of September. You will find the application forms at the institutions about two months before deadline. The application deadlines concerning the summer courses differ depending on the institution at which they are held. Also the deadlines for the Postgraduate programmes vary, so you need to keep an eye on the relevant institution when it is time to send in your application.
Exchange/Guest Students
Many universities participate in international and friendship exchange programmes, and this includes the Danish Universities. If you wish to study in Denmark as an exchange student you may contact your home institution to find out about your exchange agreements. If it is not possible for you to come to Denmark via your home University, you may contact the international office at the Danish institution of your interest.
Living costs
The price level for accommodation, food, transport and entertainment are all relatively high in Denmark compared with many other countries. But the welfare system means that many services are free.
Finding a housing in Denmark
Property prices in the capital of Denmark are on a level with many other European capitals. Danish properties are relatively large and housing standards are high. If you wish to rent a property, there are certain requirements you have to fulfil: The property must be used on a permanent basis and you must live in the property for at least 180 days per calendar year or 4 days a week. Persons who have no residence in Denmark, and who have not previously had residence in Denmark for a total of five years, need permission from the Ministry of Justice to purchase property in Denmark.
Possible temporary housing in Denmark
Many hotels have, besides the ordinary hotel rooms, furnished flats where you can get a lower price if you live in the same hotel for a longer period of time.
Through property rental agencies you can rent temporary furnished housing, or a furnished room till you move into a permanent property.
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