One of three Scandinavia countries Denmark has a population of 5.8 million and is located in northern Europe.
The country has a history of academic excellence and is increasingly popular with international students. A growing number of courses are taught in English, but studying in Denmark also gives you the perfect opportunity to learn a Scandinavian language.
The cost of living isn’t cheap, especially in big cities on a student budget but high-quality public services such as free healthcare and an efficient transport system help to alleviate the financial pinch.
In your study free hours you can visit famous landmarks and tourist attractions such as the Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen), LEGO House (in Billund – Denmark is the homeland of LEGO), and the Hans Christian Anderson Museum (Odense). There are also many castles and palaces to explore, as you’d expect from a country that has inspired many fairy tales.
Denmark is also seen as a gateway to other European cities. Berlin, London and Paris are just a short flight away.
Universities in Denmark
There are three types of higher education institution in Denmark:
- Universities offer traditional Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees across a range of subjects, from psychology to zoology. There are eight of these in total.
- University colleges provide vocational professional courses, in areas such as nursing, engineering and social work. These colleges have strong links with businesses and universities, opening students up to placement and employment opportunities.
- Academies of professional higher education – these include artistic higher education institutions, schools of maritime education and training and business academies.
A full list of these institutions and their locations can be found at Study in Denmark – Higher education institutions.
Five Danish universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2022:
- University of Copenhagen (79)
- Technical University of Denmark (99)
- Aarhus University (155)
- University of Southern Denmark (309)
- Aalborg University (326).
The academic year runs from September to June, with exams taking place in January and June.
You won’t need to be fluent in Danish, the country’s official language, to study in Denmark – the country offers more than 600 degree programmes taught entirely in English.
Degree courses in Denmark
There are two types of undergraduate qualification in Denmark:
- Professional Bachelors – studied at university colleges, these courses take three to four-and-a-half years of study and are designed to help you enter a particular profession. As part of a Professional Bachelors you’ll attend lectures and seminars and apply the knowledge you gain through placements before submitting a final project.
- University Bachelors – these three-year courses, focusing on one or two subject areas, give you academic grounding through research-based teaching to enter the labour market or go on to study for a postgraduate qualification.
You’ll submit any undergraduate course applications through optalgese.dk, where you can apply for up to eight courses per cycle and list institutions in order of preference. The deadline for applications is 15 March for start dates in the following August or September.
To study for a Bachelors degree you’ll need an entrance examination comparable to a Danish upper secondary school leaving certificate and proof of proficiency in English.
Search for Bachelors courses at Study in Denmark – Find your study programme.
Masters degrees
Danish Masters degrees, otherwise known as Candidatus degrees, take one to two years to complete. Available in a range of subjects, on a Masters programme you’ll submit a dissertation or complete a practical project, as well as attend lectures and seminars.
Unlike with undergraduate courses you’ll apply for a Masters directly to the institution, usually via their website. Individual institutions advertise their own deadlines, although for European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss national students these will typically be around March for entry in the autumn. For international students application deadlines can be as early as January.
Entry requirements for a Masters include an internationally recognised Bachelors degree. There may be additional entry requirements for certain subjects – you should check with the institution that offers the course you are interested in before applying.
Search for a Masters at Study in Denmark – Find your study programme.
PhDs
PhD studies in Denmark involve three years of independent research under expert supervision, where you’ll have access to the latest equipment and information to complete a thesis. Teaching and participation in research networks and placements are other integral parts of Danish PhD programmes.
To be eligible for a PhD you’ll need to hold a qualification equivalent to a Danish Masters degree, including all Masters degrees obtainable in the UK.
Student exchanges
The UK government runs the Turing Scheme for students looking to secure overseas placements and study abroad at an overseas university for the 2022/23 academic year.
Check that your institution is involved in the programme and offers the Turing Scheme in Denmark.
Course fees
If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, or are studying in Denmark on an exchange programme, you’re in luck – you won’t incur any fees when studying a Bachelors or Masters.
You’re also exempt from paying for your education if you hold a permanent residence permit, a temporary permit that can be upgraded to a permanent one, or have a parent who is from outside the EU/EEA but works in Denmark.
All students whose circumstances fall outside these conditions are charged for their tuition – this now includes students from the UK. Fees vary between institutions, but are generally cheaper than in the UK. Expect to pay in the region of DKK 45,000-120,000 (£5,039-£13,438).
It’s worth remembering that, even if you qualify for free tuition, the cost of living in Denmark is higher than what you may be used to. Make sure you’ve budgeted and can cover the costs of food, accommodation and course materials – see Study in Denmark – Bank & Budget for a rough guide of how much living in Denmark will cost.
Funding to study in Denmark
While free tuition isn’t available to all students, there are plenty of funding options available.
For instance, American postgraduate students, at either Masters or PhD level, can apply to receive funding through the Fulbright Commission, which covers the recipient for a year’s tuition fees.
The Danish government offer a limited number of scholarships each year to highly-qualified full degree students from non-EU/EEA countries.
A full list of what’s available can be found at Study in Denmark – Scholarships.
Student visas
If you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen, you’ll need a visa to study in Denmark – this now includes the students from the UK. The type of visa depends on the duration of your stay. If you plan to study for less than three months you’ll need to apply for a short-term tourist visa. If you plan to study for more than three months you’ll need to apply for a residence permit before you arrive in the country. Be prepared to apply for this permit well in advance – the processing time can be up to three months.
As well as paying the DKK 1,890 (£211) processing fee you will also need:
- a valid passport and passport photo
- an acceptance letter from your university
- proof of English proficiency
- proof of finances
- proof of travel and health insurance.
You don’t need a visa to study in Denmark if you’re from a EU/EEA country or Switzerland. However, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit upon your arrival if you’re staying for longer than three months (six if you’re employed).
To apply for this permit you’ll need to take your passport, a passport photo and a letter of admission from your institution to your local state administration (Statsfervaltningen).
For more information on Danish visas see New to Denmark.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate programme in Denmark you’ll need to provide evidence of previous education, including copies of your academic transcripts and Bachelors certificate, a photocopy of your passport, a CV and proof of your proficiency in the language your course is taught in.
Apply as early as you can. Check with your institution for their specific application deadlines.
Language requirements
To be accepted onto a higher education course in Denmark you’ll need to prove your proficiency in English, which you can do by passing one of the approved examinations:
Individual institutions specify their own pass rates for these exams. Native English speakers are exempt from test requirements.
If you’d like to study in Danish you’ll likely have to prove your proficiency by passing the Study Test in Danish as a Second Language – visit Studieskolen – Learn Danish for more information.
As an international student enrolled on an English-speaking programme, you’ll have the opportunity to learn Danish for free alongside your studies.
| Title | Subject | Degree | Institution | ECTS |
| Applied Industrial Electronics, BSc in Engineering | Engineering | Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Applied Industrial Electronics) | Aalborg University (AAU) | 180 |
| Architectural Technology and Construction Management | Architecture, design and visual arts Economics, commerce, management and accounting Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Construction Management | VIA University College | 210 |
| Architectural Technology and Construction Management | Architecture, design and visual arts Engineering Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Construction Management | KEA – Copenhagen School of Design and Technology | 210 |
| Art – Basic module | Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts | Bachelor of Visual Arts | Funen Art Academy | |
| Bachelor in Global Humanities | Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor of Humanities | Roskilde University (RUC) | 180 |
| Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology | Engineering Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Engineering | University College Absalon | 210 |
| Business Administration and Sociology (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Sociology | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | 180 |
| Business Administration and Service Management (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Hotel, tourism, leisure, transport and logistics Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Service Management | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | |
| Business Administration and Digital Management (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Digital Management | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | 180 |
| Business Economics and IT | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Business Economics and IT | KEA – Copenhagen School of Design and Technology | 210 |
| Business, Language and Culture (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor of Science in Business, Language and Culture | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | 180 |
| Character Animation | Architecture, design and visual arts Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Animation | VIA University College | 210 |
| Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, BSc in Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) | Aalborg University (AAU) | 180 |
| Church Music/ Organ – Bachelor | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Church Music/ Organ | The Royal Danish Academy of Music | 180 |
| Classical Musician – Performer, chamber- and orchestra Musician | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| Classical Musician – Performer, educator and entrepreneur | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Performer, educator and entrepreneur | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| Climate & Supply Engineering | Agriculture and environment Engineering Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Engineering in Climate and Supply Engineering | VIA University College | 210 |
| Cognitive Science | Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor of Cognitive Science | Aarhus University (AU) | 180 |
| Composition – Bachelor | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Composition | The Royal Danish Academy of Music | 180 |
| Computer Graphic Arts | Architecture, design and visual arts Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Animation | VIA University College | 210 |
| Consort: Recorder/Harpsichord/Viola da Gamba – Bachelor | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Consort, Recorder, Harpsichord, Viola da Gamba, Early Music | The Royal Danish Academy of Music | 180 |
| Contemporary Rhythmic Musician | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| Crafts in Glass and Ceramics | Architecture, design and visual arts | Bachelor of Design | Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design and Conservation | 210 |
| Dance and Choreography | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Dance and Choreography | The Danish National School of Performing Arts | 180 |
| Dance and Choreography | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Dance and Choreography | The Danish National School of Performing Arts | 180 |
| Data Science | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of of Science | IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) | 180 |
| Economics and Business Administration (Herning) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting | Bachelor of Economics and Business Administration | Aarhus University (AU) | 180 |
| Economics and Business Administration – Special Programmes for AP Graduates | Economics, commerce, management and accounting | Bachelor of Economics and Business Administration | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Economics and Business Administration – Global Business Relationships | Economics, commerce, management and accounting | Bachelor of Economics and Business Administration | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Economics and Business Administration (Aarhus) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting | Bachelor of Economics and Business Administration | Aarhus University (AU) | 180 |
| Economics and Business Administration | Economics, commerce, management and accounting | Bachelor of Economics and Business Administration | Aalborg University (AAU) | 180 |
| Electronic music and sound art | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| Electronic Sound and Music | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Music (BMus) | The Royal Academy of Music – Aarhus/Aalborg | 180 |
| Electronics (BEng) | Engineering | Bachelor of Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 210 |
| Electronics (BSc) | Engineering | Bachelor of Science in Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Engineering, Innovation and Business (BSc) | Engineering Health care, social services, and care services | Bachelor of Science in Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Euro-Asia Business Management (not available in English from September 2022) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting | Bachelor of Euro-Asia Business Management | International Business Academy (IBA) | 120 |
| European Studies | Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Law, public administration, public order and safety | Bachelor of Science in European Studies | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Folk Musician | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| General Engineering | Engineering | Bachelor of Science in General Engineering | Technical University of Denmark (DTU) | 180 |
| Graphic Storytelling | Architecture, design and visual arts Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Graphic Storytelling | VIA University College | 240 |
| Instrumental/Voice – Bachelor | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Instrumental/Voice | The Royal Danish Academy of Music | 180 |
| International Bachelor in Natural Sciences | Interdisciplinary Studies Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Natural Science | Roskilde University (RUC) | 180 |
| International Bachelor in Social Sciences | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies Law, public administration, public order and safety | Bachelor of Social Science | Roskilde University (RUC) | 180 |
| International Business (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts | Bachelor of Science in International Business | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | 180 |
| International Business Administration and Foreign Languages | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts | Bachelor of Science (BSc) in International Business Administration and Foreign Languages | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| International Business and Politics (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor of Science in International Business and Politics | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | 180 |
| International Business in Asia (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts Interdisciplinary Studies | Bachelor of Science in Business, Asian Language and Culture | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | 240 |
| International Honours Degree in Teaching | Teacher’s training | Bachelor of Teacher | University College Absalon | 270 |
| International Shipping and Trade (BSc) | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Hotel, tourism, leisure, transport and logistics | Bachelor of Science in International Shipping and Trade | Copenhagen Business School (CBS) | 180 |
| Jazz/pop | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| Jazz/Pop Drum and Dance (Aarhus) | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Music (BMus) | The Royal Academy of Music – Aarhus/Aalborg | 180 |
| Jewellery, Technology and Business | Architecture, design and visual arts | Bachelor of Jewellery, Technology and Business | KEA – Copenhagen School of Design and Technology | 210 |
| Market and Management Anthropology | Economics, commerce, management and accounting Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts | Bachelor of Market and Management Anthropology | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Mechanical Engineering (BEng) | Engineering | Bachelor of Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 210 |
| Mechanical Engineering (BSc) | Engineering | Bachelor of Science in Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Mechatronics (BEng) | Engineering | Bachelor of Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 210 |
| Mechatronics (BSc) | Engineering | Bachelor of Science in Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Music Teaching | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Music | The Royal Danish Academy of Music | 180 |
| Musician and pedagogical developer | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| Organ/Church Music | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of | Danish National Academy of Music | 180 |
| Software Engineering (BSc) | Engineering | Bachelor of Science in Engineering | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) | 180 |
| Software Technology Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, natural- and computer science | Bachelor of Engineering in Software Technology Engineering | VIA University College | 210 |
| Teacher Education – full degree | Teacher’s training | Bachelor of Education | University College South Denmark | 240 |
| Tonmeister/Sound Engineer – Bachelor | Music and performing arts | Bachelor of Tonmeister/Sound Engineer | The Royal Danish Academy of Music | 180 |
Higher Education Institutions
Universities
Roskilde University (RUC)
Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
Aarhus University (AU)
Aalborg University (AAU)
University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
IT University of Copenhagen (ITU)
Artistic Higher Education Institutions
The Royal Opera Academy
Aarhus School of Architecture
Funen Art Academy
The Royal Academy of Music – Aarhus/Aalborg
Design School Kolding
The Royal Danish Academy of Music
National Film School of Denmark
Danish National Academy of Music
Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC)
Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design and Conservation
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Visual Art
The Danish National School of Performing Arts
University Colleges
Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX)
University College South Denmark
University College of Northern Denmark (UCN)
University College Absalon
UCL University College
University College Copenhagen
VIA University College
Schools of Maritime Education & Training
Svendborg International Maritime Academy (SIMAC)
Aarhus school of Maritime and Technical Engineering
Copenhagen School of Maritime Education and Training
Maritime Training and Education Centre (MARTEC)
Danish Business Academies
Zealand – Academy of Technologies and Business
International Business Academy (IBA)
Dania Academy
Business Academy Aarhus
Copenhagen Business Academy
Business Academy SouthWest
KEA – Copenhagen School of Design and Technology
Important things to remember
You can apply for up to 8 programmes at the same time. The Coordinated Admission (KOT) will ensure that you will not receive more than one offer for a study place (if any). The offer will be at the highest possible priority.
For each programme you apply to, you must send a signature page. The signature page will be generated on www.optagelse.dk after finishing the digital application. You have to print it, sign it, and send it to the higher education institution that offers the programme.
The page contains an application ID, which is needed for the institution to find and download your application at www.optagelse.dk.
- If you apply for multiple programmes at the same educational institution, you will need to send multiple signature pages.
- You must sign the signature page by hand
- Signature pages must notbe uploaded on optagelse.dk, but are to be sent separately by mail or email.
- If you send the signature page by email, you will need to print the signature page, sign it, scan it and attach it in the email
- You must upload your diplomas and other documentation onto optagelse.dk.
- You must research deadlines for uploading documents and documentation requirements on
the websites of the institutions.
- On optagelse.dk you can edit and change the order of your priority, delete applications and upload annexes before 5. July 12.00 pm.
Application deadlines
The application deadlines are 15 March 2023, 12 noon (CET) and 5 July, 12 noon (CET). These dates Optagelse.dk closes at 12 noon (CET).
15 March, 12 noon (CET) for
- Applicants applying for admission in quota 2
- Applicants with an international upper secondary education including International Baccalaureate (IB) – irrespective of whether the diploma is from a school in Denmark or outside Denmark
- Applicants with non-Danish upper secondary education/entry qualifications
- Applicants for programmes with admission tests
- Applicants applying before the deadline 15 March, will automatically be considered in quota 1 as well if their grade point average can be converted to the Danish 7-point grading scale.
5 July, 12 noon (CET) for:
- Applicants with a Danish upper secondary education applying for admission based on their grade point average only.
28 July you will receive an answer to your application. If you are not admitted to any of the programmes that you have applied for you will have a possibility to apply for a vacant study programme. You can ask about your possibilities at the education institutions you are interested in or at eVejledning.
