Denmark : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

The Danish higher education sector consists of universities, university colleges and academies of professional higher education.

Higher education institutions in Denmark can be divided into three main categories:

• universities or university-level institutions offering research-based undergraduate and postgraduate programmes (Bachelors, Masters and PhDs);
• university colleges (professionshøjskoler) offering three to four and a half year undergraduate programmes (professional Bachelors programmes);
• academies of professional higher education (erhvervsakademier) offering two to two and a half year academy profession programmes and joint Bachelors programmes in cooperation with universities.

Each institution has its own admission requirements so it is very important you check all the details with the institution you wish to apply to.

What courses are available?

Danish masters degrees are two year courses. Denmark also offers candidatus philologiae (male) and candidata philologiae (female) degrees which are roughly equivalent to a masters degree but require a four year (as opposed to three year) bachelors degree.

A PhD is awarded after three years of supervised postgraduate study following the successful completion of a Masters degree.

Several courses are available in English. For more information, go to Study in Denmark.

Where can I study?

A list of universities is available at Universities Worldwide - search Denmark.

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

For Masters programmes, you need an internationally recognised bachelors degree of good standard or equivalent as well as proof of proficiency in English (or proof of proficiency in Danish if the programme is taught in Danish).

General admissions requirements for PhD programmes, include a Masters/candidatus degree or equivalent (comparable to the Danish two-year Masters/candidatus degree). In some areas, a four-year PhD programme is offered to students who have completed a bachelors qualification and one year of study at postgraduate level.

When do I apply?

Each institution is responsible for their own admission, and further information about entrance qualifications, additional tests and potential credit transfer can be obtained at the institutions' admissions offices. However, CIRIUS also provides general information on assessment of foreign qualifications for admission to the Danish higher education programmes. Visit Cirius (assessment and recognition).

How do I apply?

If you wish to study at a higher education institution in Denmark, you should enquire about entry qualifications, additional tests and potential credit transfers from the admission office at the institution where you wish to study. The deadlines for the different programmes vary and you should therefore always contact the relevant institution for further information.

How much will it cost?

Higher education in Denmark is normally provided free of charge for EU/EEA students including all students participating in an exchange programme. All other students have to pay a tuition fee. Average monthly living expenses are estimated to be £600-750. This includes accommodation fees.

Are any scholarships available?

A variety of scholarships are available for study in Denmark. Refer to Study in Denmark - Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Are there any exchange programmes?

Most exchange students come to Denmark through an institutional exchange agreement, an international exchange programme such as Erasmus, or a governmental bilateral agreement. Contact your own educational institution to find out about the possibilities of studying in Denmark as an exchange student.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

Denmark is a member of ENIC-NARIC, a network of national centres that aims to improve academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in European Union (EU) member states, EEA countries and associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The website includes information on current issues in international academic and professional mobility and on procedures for the recognition of UK (and other European) qualifications.