Denmark is one of the most appealing countries in Europe for education. If you want to study in Denmark and want to know more about education in Denmark, including the leading universities in the country, tuition fees, career prospects, scholarships and more, please tune in.
Denmark is one of the most livable countries in the world because of the advanced education system, the quality of life, the per capita income, the best health care system and last but not least, the civil liberties. Though the official language is Danish, most people speak English in Denmark.
The Bologna education process followed d by the Universities of Denmark makes their degree recognized worldwide.
The innovative learning tactics, higher-quality teaching and opportunities for personal development are why Denmark is featured as one of the top 10 European countries for study abroad.
Why study in Denmark?
Top-Ranked Universities
Denmark is home to some of the world’s high-ranked universities, like the University of Copenhagen and the University of Southern Denmark.
A few other famous universities in Denmark are Aarhus University, Roskilde University, Aalborg University and The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.
The below table shows the Top Universities in Denmark.
|
University |
|
University of Copenhagen |
|
Technical University of Denmark |
|
Aarhus University |
|
University of Southern Denmark (SDU) |
|
Aalborg University |
|
University College Lillebaelt, Vejle |
|
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design |
|
Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX) |
|
Copenhagen School of Design and Technology |
|
Metropolitan University College |
Low tuition Fees
The tuition fee varies according to the course and institution you choose. The tuition fee generally ranges between 45,000 DKK to 120,000 DKK per year. You might have to pay an extra 260,000 DKK approximately for specialized programs.
Below are some of Denmark’s Top Universities Fees:
|
Name of University |
Tuition Fees |
|
|
Undergraduate course |
Graduate course |
|
|
University College of Northern Denmark |
EUR 5,958 per year |
Not Available |
|
University of Southern Denmark |
EUR 6,200 per year |
EUR 6,200 per year |
|
Aarhus University |
EUR 8,000 per year |
EUR 8,000 per year |
|
Roskilde University |
EUR 8,700 per year |
EUR 8,700 per year |
|
University of Copenhagen |
EUR 10,000 per year |
EUR 10,000 per year |
Why study in Denmark?
|
Talk to an ExpertScholarships & Grants
Universities in Denmark provide different types of scholarships to students from other countries. Most of the scholarships are based on the origin and courses.
|
Scholarship |
Details |
|
The Danish Government Scholarships |
Offered to highly qualified exchange students and researchers who enrol in the studies of the Danish language and related subjects like - culture, design, architecture, environmental studies, and other related fields. |
|
The Erasmus Mundus, Joint Master scholarship, |
offered in Danish universities and other institutions. |
|
The Nordplus programme |
Offered to students who already study at a Nordic or Baltic higher education institution |
|
The Fulbright Programme |
Offered to American students who enrol in a Master’s or PhD programme |
Living Cost
The cost of living in small cities ranges between EUR 700 - 900 per month, and big cities reach up to EUR 1200 per month. If students from Europe fulfil the below requirements, they get free tuition.
- Permanent residence permit
- Temporary residence permit that can be upgraded to a permanent one
- Parent from a non-EU/EEA country who is already working in Denmark
Safe Country
Denmark is one of the most livable countries in the world. People from Denmark rank second in the list of the world’s happiest people. It's a safe country with a meager crime rate.
Career Opportunities
Denmark has made leading discoveries in the fields like- Food and Agriculture, Biomedicine, Pharmaceuticals, and Environmental Sciences. Therefore finding a job in Denmark is not a challenging task.
Education System in Denmark
The education system in Denmark is governed by national legislation. There are five types of educational institutions in Denmark, and they are-
|
Type of Institution |
Details |
|
Universities |
Offers Bachelor, Master & Doctoral Degrees in various subjects |
|
University Colleges |
Offers Vocational Professional Courses |
|
Artistic Higher Education Institutions |
Offers Art & Design Courses |
|
Schools of maritime education and Training |
Offers Research & Practice- focused courses |
|
Business Academics |
Offers 2 year Academy Profession Programmes and Professional Bachelor’s degrees |
Denmark offers two intakes to International Students for getting admission to University. They are-
|
Intakes |
Deadline |
|
Summer Intake |
January to Mid-March |
|
Winter Intake |
July to September |
Popular courses in Denmark
Language is one of the common problems for students willing to go to European countries for further studies. But Denmark offers most of the courses in the English language. Some of the popular courses among international students in Denmark are:
- Business & Administration
- Branding & Marketing
- General Management
- Tourism & Hospitality Management
- Engineering & Technology
- Agriculture & Environment
- Art, Design & Architecture
- Computer Science & IT
- Journalism & Digital Media
The admission process at the University of Denmark
Step 1: Select the University
Below is the list of the best universities in Denmark for International Students:
University of Copenhagen
Located at: Fredrik Bajers Vej 5, DK 9220 Aalborg
The University of Copenhagen is one of the best universities around the globe. It offers undergraduate, Master and doctorate degrees in different courses, altogether 49 programmes. Most of the courses are taught in the Danish language. Courses that are taught in English are very few.
Aarhus University
Located at: Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Aarhus University provides 229 courses taught in the English language that includes undergraduate, master’s, and postgraduate levels.
Technical University of Denmark
Located at: : Anker Engelunds Vej 1 Bygning 101A, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
The Technical University of Denmark is popular among international students who offer undergraduate courses in Danish or English. This includes 32 master's programs focusing on modern engineering.
Aalborg University
Located at: Fredrik Bajers Vej 5, DK – 9100 Aalborg, Denmark
The University of Aalborg offers courses in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees that totals all together 130 programmes for International students.
Copenhagen Business School
Located at: Solbjerg Pl. 3, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Copenhagen Business School provides degrees in economics, languages, communications, politics etc.It offers many part-time programs like - two-year executive masters and 4-year diplomas.
University of Southern Denmark
Located at: Campusvej 55 DK-5230, Odense M, Denmark
The University of Southern Denmark has five faculties: Social and Human Sciences, Engineering, Science, and Health. It offers 82 courses that include undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate programs.
IT University of Copenhagen
Located at: Rued Langgaards Vej 7 2300 Copenhagen Denmark
IT, the University of Copenhagen, offers 3 undergraduate programs, 4 master’s programs, and an extensive doctoral program. In addition, the university also offers professional master's and diploma programs in the fields like- science, humanities, design, and business.
KEA – Copenhagen School of Design and Technology, Copenhagen
KEA offers practical, higher education at the business academy and professional bachelor level. It offers 32 Danish and English programmes. Education in construction, energy, HR, installation, IT, communication, management, production & industry, sales & marketing, health & optometry, and economics is some of the focus areas in KEA.
University College Absalon, Sore
Two of the 12 professional bachelor courses offered by University College Absalon are taught in English:- Engineering in Biotechnology and the International Honours Degree in Teaching.
Step 2: Check out the Entry Requirements
Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Courses:
Class 12th with 60%
If you are applying to Technical universities, you might be asked to fill out the Maths verification form, which must be signed and stamped. You cannot directly apply to undergraduate programmes at Danish University through the university’s website. Go to optagelse.dk and apply there.
You are qualified to apply to up to 8 undergraduate programs.
Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Courses:
Bachelor's Degree with 60%
An internationally recognized Bachelor's degree or equivalent is the primary requirement while applying for a Master's of any course. You must apply for a master's degree through each degree programme website.
English language test
All candidates need to have good English for higher-level education in Denmark. Tentatively, the below table tells about the scores.
|
Test Name |
English B |
English A |
|
IELTS |
at least 6.5 points |
at least 7.0 points |
|
TOEFL |
|
|
|
Cambridge Advanced English |
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) |
Certificate of Proficiency (CPE) |
Step 3: Find the Fees
Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland don't need to pay any tuition fees for undergraduate or postgraduate courses.If you are not from EU/EEA and Switzerland you will have to pay tentatively US$8,000-21,000 per year as tuition fees.
Step 4: Apply
Candidates must apply through www.optagelse.dk. You need to attach your documents here.
You need a signature and verification of your ID for each course you are applying to.
Print the signature page from optagelse.dk, sign and send it to the university you are applying to. You need to attach the transcript of your upper secondary education. Some universities also ask for personal essays. You will get a response in the form of a letter.
Required documents for admission to Danish Universities
General Documents
- English proficiency proof
- Danish proficiency proof (for courses taught in the Danish language)
- Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate/Intermediate + 1-year university education.
- Danish Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate equivalent entrance exam
- 16-year education or equivalent degree for Postgraduate degree
- Tuition Fee Receipt
- Passport, CV, Motivation Letter.
- A bank statement that covers your expenses while staying in Denmark
- Visa Application form.
- Letter of Health insurance.
- Reference letters (2)
Specific Requirements
- One additional document will be sent to you that you have to print, sign and send to the educational institution you are applying to. It's for international students without a NemID
- Follow the instructions on the website of your favourite programme if you are applying for a Master's degree.
|
Job opportunities in Denmark for International students
The total hours you can work as a student varies based on your home country. 20 hours per week is provided for working during the study period in Denmark.
Part-time (odd) jobs are available in bars, restaurants, clubs, and newspaper distribution. There is a massive demand for a workforce in the areas like Education, Engineering, IT, Medicine and healthcare sectors.
Some popular jobs and respective salary
|
Job Title |
Salary DKK per year |
|
Marketing Manager |
427,000 |
|
Environmental Consultant |
205,000 |
|
Architect |
400,000 |
|
Accountant |
250,000 |
|
Product Manager |
720,000 |
|
Software engineer |
476,000 |
|
Nurse |
330,000 |
|
UX designer |
378,000 |
|
Teacher |
300,000 |
|
Sales manager |
535,000 |
|
Journalist |
264,000 |
|
Web developer |
339,000 |
You can use the following platform to find a job in Denmark:
- Jobindex
- JobsInCopenhagen
- The Local
- Work in Denmark
Critical Information about Study in Denmark
Health insurance
Candidates must get travel insurance for the period they are in Denmark. Under the Danish Health Act, every non-resident in Denmark is entitled to be insured for emergency hospital care, free of charge, an accident, childbirth, acute illness or sudden aggravation of the chronic disease.
Visa
If you stay in Denmark for more than three months, you must get a residence permit. If you stay for less than 3 months, you must get a tourist visa.
Requirements for obtaining a residence permit:
- University acceptance letter
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Proof of financial resources of around €1,000 per month
- Proof of your travel insurance
- Passport
- Passport photo
Living Cost in Denmark
Denmark is a country with a high standard of living. Although this makes living in Denmark expensive, how much you spend depends on yourself. Living cost is comparatively less in small cities in Denmark.
International students mostly share a room, house or apartment, off-campus student halls of residence, or One-bedroom apartments.
Talking about the means of transportation, international students generally use the Train, Metro, Car, Bus, Taxi etc
Below is the cost of living per month in Denmark:
|
Items |
Cost (Per Month) |
|
Accommodation |
2,500 to 4,000 DKK |
|
Insurance bill |
200 to 250 DKK |
|
TV bill |
100 to 150 DKK |
|
Study Books and supplies |
100 to 150 DKK |
|
Mobile phone bill |
150 to 300 DKK |
|
Food |
1,600 to 2,000 DKK |
|
Transportation |
250 DKK |
|
Other personal expenses |
1,100 DKK |
Permanent Residency in Denmark
For non-EU nationals, there are two criteria for Permanent Residency in Denmark.
The first case requires you to work full-time for 4 years, Pass the Danish language exam, earn an income of 290,000 kroner in each of the last two years and must have Passed an active citizenship (medborgerskab) exam.
The second case requires you to apply after 8 years of staying in Denmark, Full-time work for 3.5 years during the last 4 years, plus fulfilling 2 of the above 4 requirements (in the First case)
Note: You shouldn't break a continuous 6-month in full-time work.
Is education free for International Students in Denmark?
If you are a student exchange program participant, a permanent resident of Denmark, or you belong to EU/EEA and Switzerland, your education is free.
For other international students, Denmark offers different ranges of scholarships and grants that help with their tuition fees. Students from other countries are charged a tuition fee of 6,000 to 16,000 EUR/year.
Do universities in Denmark teach in English?
Many universities use the English language for teaching in Denmark. Few are as follows:
- Aalborg University (AAU)
- Aarhus School of Architecture
- Aarhus University (AU)
- Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
- Dania Academy
- Danish National Academy of Music
- Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX)
- Design School Kolding
How is the weather in Denmark?
The weather in Denmark is usually cold in winter and mild in summer. It’s not as cold as others say. The climate is rainy, humid, cloudy and windy.
From November 22 to March 20, it's cold in Denmark, with an average daily high temperature below 43°F
From March to May, it’s Spring, and the climate is dry in this period of the year.
What are the means of transportation in Denmark?
Train, Bus or Ferry are the major means of transportation inside the cities of Denmark. Copenhagen has one of the world's most efficient metro systems. There are many international airports in Denmark.
Taxis in Denmark are reliable and comfortable but a bit expensive compared to other means of transportation. The cheapest form of public transportation is by bus.
