Study Law in Denmark

Studying Law in Denmark

To the south of Norway and southwest of Sweden lies the Kingdom of Denmark, a sovereign state that also includes the autonomous countries of Greenland and the Faroe Islands in its kingdom. Over five million people live in Denmark, a socialist democratic country consistently ranked as one of the most developed and happiest countries in the world primarily due to its high, per capita income average, income equality and social mobility factors. A founding member of the United Nations, NATO, the OECD and the Nordic Council, Denmark has a unique past rich in Viking history, medieval skirmishes with neighboring countries and the taking of a neutral stance during World War II.

Helpful Facts about Denmark

• Danish is the language predominantely spoken in Denmark
• The Danish Kroner (DKK) is the currency used, with one Krone equaling 100 Øre
• Nearly 90 percent of Danes practice the Protestant religion
• Denmark is a very green country. Wind power constitutes 30 percent of all electricity used by its residents
• Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and home to its government, where the monarch and prime minister often convene in a 17th century royal castle constructed by Christian IV

Judicial System of Denmark

Legislature and executive authority remains separate from judicial authority. There is no one unified judicial system in Denmark. Instead, the Faroe Islands, Denmark and Greenland have their own judicial systems. However, high court decisions made by judges living in the Faroe Islands or Greenland can be appealed in the Danish High Courts. The highest criminal and civil court is the Danish Supreme Court, which is responsible for administering justice throughout the Kingdom of Denmark. The Constitution of Denmark is the foundation for all judiciary procedures and enactments implemented by Denmark's monarchy.

Law Degrees Offered By Denmark

Denmark offers Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws (LL.M) and Ph.D law degrees. The LL.M degree is internationally recognized as a postgraduate degree taking about one year to complete. Most law students continue pursuing an LL.M degree after finishing a bachelor's program to gain expertise with specialized areas of law, such as civil, criminal or judicial. Additionally, most Danish law firms (as well as law firms throughout the European Union) prefer their lawyers to hold an LL.M degree since this degree indicates the student has advanced legal training and is qualified to handle cases in a multinational environment.

Earning a Law Degree in Denmark

Denmark has two universities offering law degrees: the University of Copenhagen (Department of Law) and Aahus University (School of Law). The University of Copenhagen is the largest law school in Denmark and Scandinavia and has 4000 students enrolled at any given time. Students can chose to earn one of four degrees at the University of Copenhagen: an LL.B, an LL.M, a Ph.D or a Master in Conflict Resolution and Mediation.

Aahus University, in the city of Aahus, Denmark, also offers Bachelor, Master and Ph.D law programs but does not include a Master of Conflict Resolution and Mediation in its curriculum. Summer classes are also available at Aahus University.

Tuition Fees and Length of Law Studies in Denmark

Typically, law students complete their Bachelor's degrees in three to four years and Master's degrees in one year. Ph.D. degrees may take up to three years to finish, depending on the field in which the student wishes to specialize.

EEA and EU students do not have to pay tuition while enrolled in a higher education program in Denmark. U.S. and non-European Union citizens must pay annual tuition fees ranging from 6000 to 15,000 Euros ($8000 to $20,000 USD).

Opportunities for Lawyers in Denmark

With thousands of law firms operating in Denmark and Danish unemployment rates consistently below the five percent mark, finding employment in Denmark is not difficult. However, lawyers specializing in international law experience higher rates of success in obtaining positions more quickly than lawyers with LLM degrees.