More than 130 institutions of higher education offer study programmes of varying lengths and levels. These institutions can be divided into: universities, university centres and other institutitions of higher education.
Short-, medium-, and long-term higher education
If you have completed upper secondary education, you can undertake a programme of higher education. There are three types of higher education programmes:
- The short programmes of higher education normally take two years. Here you can study to become a laboratory technician, market economist, certified electrician or mechanical engineer. Both vocational education and training and general upper secondary education provide access to short programmes of higher education.
- The medium-term, professional bachelor programmes take between three and four years. Here you can study to become a teacher, social educator, nurse, engineer or social worker.
- The long-term programmes of higher education which are studied at university or higher education institutions. Here you can study to become a doctor, dentist, engineer or upper secondary school teacher. The university education programmes take between five and six years and can be supplemented by a PhD programme where students receive a salary and work on research and teach for about three years.
Find out more about your education possibilities at uddannelsesguiden.dk.
Entry requirements
Each programme has its own entry requirements that typically ask for specific exams and sometimes other qualifications. Some education programmes operate a policy of restricted admission because there are more qualified applicants than available places. Most education programmes have a quota system with two quotas. This means that they accept applicants in two quotas. In the first quota, applicants are accepted on the basis of their qualification examination grades. In the second quota, students are accepted on the basis of other selection criteria specific to the programme.
Coordinated enrolment system (KOT)
Nearly all higher education programmes require students to seek enrolment through the coordinated enrolment system (KOT). You can obtain application forms by logging onto optagelse.dk.
Entrance examinations
Some education programmes require entrance exams. This typically applies to creative or craft-oriented study programmes such as acting, film directing, journalism and design.
Foreign qualifications
Special admission rules apply to applicants holding a foreign qualification. You can read more about these rules in the examination handbook by clicking here.
Familiarise yourself with the programme and meet fellow students
At most universities and higher education institutions, programmes begin with an orientation course for new students. Here, new students are introduced to each other and the programme by means of academic presentations, discussions and festive activities. Often, new students will go off on a short cottage trip together.
Students being welcomed at Copenhagen University
Special courses for adults - All levels
As a mature student, there are a great many education and tuition opportunities. You can take a course in general education, take a full-time education programme or continuing training. Nearly all levels of adult learning are represented in the Danish education system. At adult learning centres (VUC), adults can participate in preparatory adult education (FVU), courses for dyslexic adults, general adult education (AVU) and higher preparatory single subject courses.
Log onto vuc.dk or vidar.dk to find the address of the adult learning centre closest to your home or place of work. You can also find out more about education and your possibilities for receiving financial assistance while you study.
Source: New to Denmark
