Study in Denmark

Each year students from around the world come to Denmark to pursue a quality education in a friendly, safe and innovation-driven environment.

What they gain is an excellent foundation for their future career within a wide range of educational areas, such as engineering, life sciences and social sciences.

We invite you to also come and study in Denmark – for a fun and enriching experience that will help you gain an excellent foundation for your future career.

Why Study in Denmark?

Research & Careers in Denmark

Research

High-quality PhD programmes

Research plays a key role in Danish society. With its position among the world’s top six countries in R&D expenditure, Denmark offers world-class PhD and industrial research programmes.

Fully funded university and industrial PhDs

As a PhD student in Denmark you usually receive a salary, and there are no tuition fees. Industrial PhDs are collaborations between a university and a company with no obligation to teach. As a PhD student in Denmark, you can expect the very latest in equipment and research facilities.

A Danish PhD programme usually lasts three years. The components of the programme are:

• Independent research under supervision
• Courses for PhD students (approximately 30 ECTS credits)
• Participation in research networks, including placements at other, primarily foreign, research institutions
• Teaching or another form of knowledge dissemination, which is, as far as possible, related to the PhD topic
• The completion of a PhD thesis

The general admission requirements for PhD programmes include a Candidatus/Master’s degree or equivalent comparable to the Danish two-year Candidatus/Master’s degree. In some areas, a four-year PhD programme is offered to students who have completed a Bachelor’s qualification and one year of study at postgraduate level.

Read more about PhD positions here

Career & Working in Denmark

As an international student in Denmark you will have the right to work during your studies. You will also have the opportunity to look for full-time employment when you have completed your studies.

Read more about working in Denmark

Living in Denmark

Lifestyle

When you arrive in Denmark you will probably notice the relaxed atmosphere and that things generally run pretty smoothly. A blend of stately old buildings and modern sustainable architecture speaks of cities that treasure the old but love experimenting with the new.

You may also find that that living in Denmark is not exactly cheap. However, if you are sensible and follow local habits and are a little economical – such as cycling to university and eating at home – then living costs in Denmark should not blow your budget

See examples of a typical student-budget

Cool winters with a warm feeling

Let’s face it – the cool Danish climate doesn’t always offer ideal T-shirt weather. The short Danish summers are mild with near-midnight sunsets. But winters in Denmark also have their share of warmth – with candle-lit homes, warm, cosy gatherings and plenty of hot chocolate. Danes often refer to this snug and convivial wintery feeling as 'hygge'.

Read more about the Danish national treasure ‘hygge’

Open-minded and slightly reserved

Being a foreigner and getting used to local habits and different cultures is always a challenge – but also very rewarding. To some international travellers, Danes may seem a little private. But if you make the first move you’ll soon discover that the Danes are very approachable, friendly and helpful.

When you do get to know some Danes, you will also find that they express themselves quite openly. Indeed, open discussion is a central element of Danish culture. At home and at school, Danish children are encouraged to express their opinions and are generally informed about adult subjects when they are old enough to ask about them.

Read more about the Danish society

A dynamic and innovative society

Denmark is a society driven by world-leading research and innovation within knowledge industries such as greentech, biotech, pharmaceutical science, telecommunications and IT.

Therefore, if you have the talent, study and work hard, Denmark is a place with excellent opportunities to fulfill your potential.

Read more about how you can use your talent in Denmark

About

Admission requirements

For undergraduate studies, admission requirements vary from programme to programme. You should contact the institutions' admissions office for precise information about entrance qualifications, additional tests and potential credit transfers. More information about admission requirements can be found here : http://studyindenmark.dk/study-in-denmark/admission-requirements

See a list of all higher education institutions in Denmark

All university programmes require a high standard of English. To prove a satisfactory proficiency in English, the language tests TOEFL or IELTS are often used.

Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency with a TOEFL score of at least 560 (paper-based test) and 83 (internet-based test), or a IELTS score of minimum 6.5 points, or a CAE in the Cambridge ESOL examinations. These are minimum requirements and some programmes may require higher test scores.

For postgraduate studies (candidatus/master's programmes) admission requirements are:

• an internationally recognised Bachelor's degree of good standard or equivalent
• proof of proficiency in English (see above)
• proof of proficiency in Danish, if the programme is taught in Danish

For PhD studies, you generally need to have a candidatus/master's degree or equivalent. In some areas, a four-year PhD programme is offered to students who have completed a Bachelor’s qualification and one year of study at postgraduate level.

How and when to apply

For undergraduate studies, the admission deadline is 15 March for courses starting in August or September. A few institutions also have intakes in January or February. For those courses, the deadline is 1 September. The application forms are available from the institutions approx. two months prior to the deadline. Application forms can also be found at http://www.optagelse.dk/admission/index.html (read the guide carefully).

For postgraduate studies deadlines vary. We recommend that you contact the institution directly for details.