Introduction

Higher education in the country consists of the university sector, where students have the opportunity to pursue research based undergraduate and graduate programmes, and the professional sector where students have the option to pursue professional bachelor and diploma programmes, and other professionally oriented programmes.
Higher educational institutions in the country also offer courses in English. Besides, English programmes such as MBA and MPA at graduate level are also available. Also, a number of long and short programmes in specific areas are available.

Moreover, the higher education courses offered in the country have well defined pattern and unique qualities. The courses offered at such level have a professional orientation and there is a continuous emphasis on cooperation between teaching and research.

One of the main features of the Danish higher education is that students are encouraged to work together in groups wherein they take part in discussions and develop the habit of working independently. This is an altogether new approach to study, which has both positive and challenging aspects inherent to it.

Also, many institutions in the country have designed a special student-to-student programme in order to make international students feel comfortable while in the country. A pre-enrolled student helps a student arriving in the country in getting him settled, introducing him to other students, and assisting him in all practical matters.

 

School education:
Basic education comprises primary and lower secondary education and lasts for nine or ten years (the 10th year is optional). Upon completion of Class 9 or 10 of the Folkeskole pupils may go on to upper secondary school. The 3-year Gymnasium programme is the traditional general upper secondary programme. General upper secondary school and the more vocationally-oriented programmes "Højere Handelseksamen" (HHX) or "Højere Teknisk Eksamen" (HTX) qualify students for higher education. HHX and HTX also prepare for employment in trade and industry - usually in training positions. Vocational programmes are mainly Erhvervsuddannelse (Vocational Education and Training, VET) and prepare directly for specific jobs. In addition, most VET programmes qualify students for direct admission to one or more short-cycle professional higher education programmes. Approximately 30-50% of the time is spent at school and 50-70% is spent as a trainee or apprentice in a business enterprise. Other vocational programmes are  basic social and health education programmes (SOSU) and agricultural, forestry, home economics and maritime programmes. Education is largely the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. It shares control of the Gymnasium and Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) with the country councils and school or course boards. It is responsible for setting up the framework for curricula at primary and secondary education level. However, the contents of the courses are established by the schools (with their boards) and finalized by the teachers with their pupils. Vocational education and training is controlled by the Ministry of Education with the social partners as important parties.

Higher education:
Higher education comprises a university sector and a college sector, i.e. the professionally-oriented higher education sector. The university sector includes 12 universities, 5 of which are multi-faculty universities. The others are specialized in Engineering, IT, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmacy or Business Studies. In addition, there are 13 specialist university-level institutions in architecture, art, music, etc. The university sector offers programmes at three levels: Bachelor's Degree (3 years of study), the Candidatus Degree (i.e. Master's Degree, normally 2 years following upon the Bachelor's Degree) and the Ph.D. Degree (normally 3 years' study after the Candidatus Degree). The universities also award the traditional higher Doctoral Degree (dr. phil., dr. scient etc) after a minimum of 5-8 years' individual and original research. Study programmes of the university sector are research-based. The college sector comprises approximately 100 specialized institutions of higher education offering professionally-oriented programmes: a) The Academy Profession Degree (AP degree) (Danish title: profession +(AK)) is awarded after two years of study (120 ECTS points) b) the Professional Bachelor's degree is awarded after 3 to 4 1/2 years of study (180-270 ECTS points) at the level corresponding to that of university Bachelor's programmes. Colleges offering professional Bachelor's Degrees have merged into more comprehensive Centres for Higher Education (Centre for Videregående Uddannelse (CVU)). As from 2005, CVUs fulfilling certain quality criteria may be awarded the label of University College. Colleges offering Academy Profession degrees have formed Academies of Professional Higher Education (Erhvervsakademier) as a framework for regional cooperation. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is responsible for university education except for certain higher education programmes which come under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs (e.g. Architecture, Music, Fine Arts, and Librarianship). The Ministry of Education is responsible for short- and medium-cycle higher education. The legislation covers the aims and framework of education, funding and in some cases curricula, examinations and staffing. Higher education institutions are publicly financed and State-regulated. The quality of higher education is ensured by ministerial approval of new programmes and institutions, external examiners and an evaluation system. Although they have institutional autonomy, institutions must follow general regulations concerning teacher qualifications, award structures, study programmes and quality assurance. The relevant Ministries approve new programmes. The Danish Evaluation Institute (EVA) is responsible for external quality assurance. Its evaluations form the basis for accreditation of Professional Bachelor's programmes and private sector programmes in order to make their students eligible for State study grants. The use of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) became mandatory in all higher education study programmes on September 1st, 2001, the use of the Diploma Supplement on September 1st, 2002.

Academic year:
Classes from: Sep to: Jun
Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 31 Aug

 

Languages of instruction: Danish, English

 

Higher education in Denmark is usually provided free of charge for all EU/EEA students and for students who are participating in an exchange programme. All other students have to pay a tuition fee. Annual tuition fees for full-time degree students range from 6,000 to 16,000 Euro. Average monthly living expenses are estimated to be £600-750. This includes accommodation fees.

 

 

Proof of proficiency of English is must for Denmark Education. Other eligibilities varies depending upon the Institutions in Denmark.

 

International students from EU/EEA are allowed to work unlimited hours, while students from the rest of the world can work a maximum of 15 hours per week during the academic year and full time during the summer holidays (June, July and August).

 

The minimum wage per hour in Denmark is approximately 12 Euro.

 

Work Placement as an integrated part of Study Programme

As a visiting/exchange student, e.g. under the Erasmus programme, you have the opportunity to apply for a work placement in a company, public organisation or a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). The work placement is organised by the host university. For further information please contact your home institution.
Self-organised traineeships or work placements

If you wish to organise the work placement yourself, you can either contact the Danish companies directly to enquire about trainee possibilities or you can contact one of the following organisations for help:

IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) provides help and information to students and employers interested in participating in an IAESTE exchange programme. Please contact the IAESTE committee in your home country. You will find more information and links from IAESTE .

 

AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) facilitates international exchanges of thousands of students and recent graduates each year either in a paid traineeship or as a volunteer for a non-profit organisation. For more information please contact the local AIESEC office in your home country. You will find links and more information from the AIESEC .

 

• A copy of a valid passport or other form of legitimate travel documentation issued to them.
• A passport photo. The photo must be 35 mm x 45 mm (size of head 30-36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head). They must be facing the camera directly.
• Original documentation showing that they have been accepted at an educational institution. Please note that the original letter of acceptance must be attached to the application - copies will not be accepted.
• If they have been accepted at a post-secondary educational program and have to pay a tuition fee, they must attach documentation that this has been paid for the first semester or school year.
• If student is at a basic or youth education program, prerequisite course, folk high school, or if you are a guest student at a post-secondary educational program, or any other study where they are not to pay a tuition fee, they must attach documentation that they can support themselves during their stay. The required amount is DKK 4,200 per month, and the documentation can be a bank statement, evidence of a grant or scholarship, or similar. Please note that a bank statement could come from a foreign bank, if they submit a first-time application from abroad. (However, if they are from Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroun, Ghana, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan or Togo, the bank statement must be from a Danish bank or a bank in another EU country.) If student submit a first-time application from Denmark, then the bank statement must be from a Danish bank or a bank in another EU country. The same applies if student are applying for an extension of their residence permit on the grounds that they have been accepted for a new course of study.

 

If student is at a folk high school or at a basic or youth education program, they must attach documentation that applicable student fees have been paid. If student fees are to be paid in installments, subsequent to arrival in Denmark, they must attach documentation showing that they have the financial means to make these payments for the current school year.