Denmark

Basic information about Denmark

Denmark is home to Vikings, royalty, great design and fairytales...

Denmark is a Scandinavian nation and the southernmost of the Nordic countries. It covers only 43,098 square kilometres (two thirds the size of Tasmania ) and has a population of 5.5 million people, which is approximately the population of Victoria . Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and is considered to be a pleasant middle-sized city with a large network of pedestrian streets, bicycle paths and parks.

Being a relatively small nation with an international outlook, most Danes understand and speak English.

Denmark has much to offer. Quality of life is a characteristic feature of the Danish society combining social security, a clean environment and an attractive business climate with high standards in education and research - also in an international perspective.

The Higher Education System

Higher education institutions in Denmark can be grouped in three main types:

• Universities offering research-based undergraduate and post graduate programmes (Bachelor, Master and PhD)
• University Colleges and Specialised Colleges offering undergraduate programmes (Professional Bachelor and Diploma programmes)
• Academies of Professional Higher Education (erhvervsakademier) offering 2 - 2½ year academy profession programmes.

Danish universities and other higher education institutions offer a wide selection of degree programmes and individual courses taught fully in English. It makes it easy for international students to find attractive study opportunities - be it as an exchange student or a full degree student.

Each institution is responsible for admission, and you can get further information about entrance qualifications, supplementary tests and the possibilities of transfer of credits from the admission offices at the institutions.

High quality in education

The quality of higher education is assured in many ways. It is regulated and financed by the state, and all public educational institutions are approved and evaluated on an ongoing basis. The institutions have a high degree of autonomy, but must at the same time follow the national regulations on teacher qualifications, award structures and external evaluation of their study programmes. This system is a way of setting national standards for higher education, thus ensuring high quality at all institutions.

All institutions use the European credit transfer system, ECTS, facilitating international credit transfer. Students receive certificates, diplomas or other types of documentation for all completed courses. All students finishing a full degree or a diploma programme receive a Diploma Supplement in English.

Scholarships

Denmark has launched a new scholarship programme for students from non-EU/EEA countries. Scholarships and tuition fee waivers are available for high performing students enrolling in certain study programmes. And some universities and educational institutions have their own scholarships. Contact the institution when you apply for admission. In addition, it is possible to apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to do a master's degree partly at a Danish and partly at another European educational institution.

Exchange/guest students

Your possibilities as an exchange/guest student depend on your home institution and the chosen exchange agreement. If you are studying in countries outside the EU you should seek information about grants and scholarships at your educational institution in your own country.  

Students from the EU as well as outside the EU can find links to several scholarship programmes at the EU-database Ploteus ( http://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/ ).

Finally, PhD students and researchers are advised to look at The Researcher's Mobility Portal (http://ec.europa.eu/euracxess) for information on scholar programmes.

Where can I find more information?

Embassy of Denmark
15 Hunter St .
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Canberra Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 2 6270 5333
Fax: +61 (0) 2 6270 5324
Email: cbramb@um.dk
Website: www.canberra.um.dk

Study in Denmark : www.studyindenmark.dk

The Ministry of Education (Undervisningsministeriet): www.uvm.dk

Cirius: www.ciriusonline.dk

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministeriet for Videnskab, Teknologi og Udvikling): www.vtu.dk

National Union of Students in Denmark : www.dsfnet.dk