Study in Denmark

No matter what academic path you want to pursue, Danish universities, specialised university colleges and professional academies offer Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees - meaning there's a perfect fit for you

Denmark is one of the three Scandinavian countries, located in northern Europe and with a population of almost six million people. The country is renowned for its academic excellence and is increasingly popular among international students. Although a growing number of courses are taught in English, studying in Denmark also offers the opportunity to learn a Scandinavian language.

Living costs in the country can be high, especially in big cities when you're on a student budget. However, high-quality public services like free healthcare and an efficient transport system help to alleviate any financial pressures.

During your free time, you can explore famous landmarks and tourist attractions such as the Tivoli Gardens (located in Copenhagen), LEGO House (in Billund - Denmark is the homeland of LEGO), and the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (in Odense). Denmark has many castles and palaces to explore, which is not surprising considering the country has inspired many fairy tales.

Denmark is also a gateway to other European cities, with Berlin, London, and Paris just a short flight away.

Universities in Denmark

In Denmark, there are three types of higher education institutions:

• Universities offer traditional Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees across a wide range of subjects, from psychology to zoology. There are a total of eight universities in Denmark.
• University colleges provide vocational professional courses in areas such as nursing, engineering, and social work. These colleges have strong links with businesses and universities, which means that students have access to numerous placement and employment opportunities.
• Academies of professional higher education 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 2024:

• University of Copenhagen (107)
• Technical University of Denmark (121)
• Aarhus University (143)
• University of Southern Denmark (326)
• Aalborg University (336).

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

In Denmark, there are two types of undergraduate qualifications available for students:

• Professional Bachelors are studied at university colleges. These courses typically 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 degree, you will attend lectures and seminars and apply the knowledge you gain through placements, before submitting a final project.
• University Bachelors are three-year courses that focus on one or two subject areas. University Bachelors provide academic grounding through research-based teaching and prepare you to enter the labour market or pursue postgraduate studies.

If you want to apply for an undergraduate course in Denmark, you can do so through optagelse.dk. Here, 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 in Denmark, you will need to have an entrance examination comparable to a Danish upper secondary school leaving certificate and provide proof of proficiency in English.

Search for Bachelors courses at Study in Denmark - Find your study programme.

Masters degrees

Danish Masters degrees, also called Candidatus degrees, typically take one to two years to complete and cover a range of subjects. During your Masters programme, you will need to attend lectures and seminars, submit a dissertation or complete a practical project.

When applying for a Masters, you'll need to apply directly to the institution, usually through their website. Each institution has its own deadlines for applications. However, for European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss national students, deadlines are typically around March for entry in the autumn. International students may need to apply as early as January.

To be eligible for a Masters degree, you will need an internationally recognised Bachelors degree. Some subjects may have additional entry requirements, so it is best to 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 allow you to conduct independent research for three years, under the guidance of an expert supervisor. You will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and information to complete your thesis. In addition, you will participate in teaching, research networks, and placements, which are essential components of Danish PhD programmes.

To be eligible for a PhD, you must hold a qualification equivalent to a Danish Masters degree, which includes 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 2024/25 academic year.

Check that your institution is involved in the programme and offers the Turing Scheme in Denmark.

Course fees

If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, or if you're enrolled in a Danish exchange programme, you're in luck - you won't have to pay any tuition fees for your Bachelors or Masters degree.

Additionally, 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, you are also exempt from paying for your education.

However, for students who don't meet any of these conditions, including students from the UK, tuition fees are applicable. The fees vary depending on the institution, but they are generally cheaper than in the UK, ranging from around DKK 44,742- DKK 119,312 (£5,130-£13,675) per year.

It is important to note that even if you are eligible 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

Even if free tuition isn't available, there are many funding options for students. For example, American postgraduate students can apply for Fulbright Commission grants to cover tuition fees for a year.

The Danish government also offers scholarships to international students pursuing full degrees. Find more resources at Study in Denmark - Scholarships.

Student visas

If you're a non-EU/EEA citizen, you'll need to get a visa to study in Denmark. This includes students from the UK. The type of visa you need 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.

However, 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. It's recommended to apply for this permit well in advance, as the processing time can take up to three months.

In addition to paying the DKK 1,890 (£211) processing fee, you will also need to provide:

• 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.

If you're from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you won't need a visa to study in Denmark. However, if you plan to stay for longer than three months (or six months if you're employed), you'll need to apply for a residence permit upon your arrival.

To apply for this permit, you'll need to bring 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
• proof of your proficiency in the language your course is taught in.

Be sure to apply as early as possible and check with your institution for specific application deadlines.

Language requirements

To be accepted onto a higher education course in Denmark, you'll need to prove your proficiency in English. You can do this by passing one of the approved examinations, such as:

• Cambridge English - Advanced (CAE)
• IELTS
• TOEFL.

Individual institutions specify their own pass rates for these exams. Native English speakers are exempt from test requirements. If you wish to study in Danish, you'll need 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 in an English-speaking programme, you'll have the opportunity to learn Danish for free alongside your studies.

Comparison to UK qualifications

Denmark is part of the Bologna Process, which means that undergraduate and postgraduate study completed in Denmark will be equivalent to qualifications gained in the UK.

Find out more

• Discover what it's like to work in Denmark.
• For a deeper insight, see Study in Denmark's International Students' Survival Guide to Life in Denmark.