Denmark
Find out what attracts postgraduate students to Denmark, other than its friendly, safe and relaxed atmosphere, and get the lowdown on funding, course fees and visas…
Higher education in Denmark is divided into four categories:
Different universities and courses will inevitably ask you to meet different criteria. However, the minimum requirements for admission on postgraduate programmes are a good grade in a Bachelors degree and, because many courses are taught in the language, equivalent proof of proficiency in English. If the course is taught in Danish, proof of proficiency in that language is requested instead.
For Doctorate programmes, you will need an internationally recognised Masters degree.
To check whether your qualification is accepted by Danish institutions, visit the Danish Agency for Universities and Internationalisation - Recognition of Foreign Qualifications .
Citizens of the European Union (EU) are entitled to attend university in Denmark or any EU country (this means the 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The same conditions apply to all EU citizens whether a national of the country or not. This means that you are not required to pay higher course fees and that you are entitled to apply for any grants available to help with tuition fees.
In Denmark, higher education is free for students from the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and for those who are participating in an exchange programme.
You are also exempt if you have a parent who is not from an EU/EEA country but works in Denmark, a permanent residence permit, or a temporary residence permit that can be upgraded.
Other students will have to pay tuition fees, which range from €6,000 - €16,000 depending on the university and course.
Despite there being no tuition fees for EU/EEA students, grants and scholarships are still sometimes available to contribute to living costs. For more details, see the Danish Educational Support Agency - State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme .
There are a number of offerings for non-EU/EEA students too, including Danish government scholarships for highly qualified non-EU/EEA students.
Financial support is also available to selected Masters and Doctoral students through the Erasmus Mundus initiative.
For more information and a list of grants available to overseas students, visit Study in Denmark - Tuition Fees and Scholarships .
Students attending UK universities can take part in the EU's flagship educational exchange programme Erasmus . The scheme offers work placements, study opportunities and language assistantships, which last from three months to one academic year in EU countries.
Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in Denmark. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Erasmus scheme in your subject.
It isn't necessary to have any knowledge of the Danish language, but you can arrange intensive language courses before you go. Speak to the Erasmus coordinator at your university about available opportunities.
As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:
EU citizens staying in Denmark for longer than three months will require a registration certificate, which is obtained at the Statsforvaltningerne - EU Residence . The permits are simply used to prove your rights as an EU citizen.
Non-EU students face more stringent requirements. Certain nationalities will require a visa, as well as a residence permit.
To find out whether you need a visa, visit The Danish Immigration Service - Do I Need a Visa?
For more details about residence permits, see Study in Denmark - Residence Permits .
The Scandinavian nation continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates and highest standards of living in the European Union, despite the ongoing economic slowdown. Find out more about working in Denmark…
Denmark is one of the 20 richest countries in the world and is known for its high quality of living, relatively low unemployment rate, and dedication to donating a significant amount of gross national income (GNI) to less developed nations. Despite being affected by the global economic crisis, it continues to make a slow recovery.
Denmark's welfare service is also well known. Free healthcare and education are offered from primary to university level. Childcare is subsidised by the state, and unemployment insurance is optional.
The majority of Danish jobs are in private services, followed by government, industry, construction, utilities and agriculture and fisheries. Despite this, production and exportation of machinery, parts, chemicals and agricultural products, among others, is a key contributor to the economy.
Increasing numbers of job roles for overseas workers are now available due to more citizens retiring than entering the labour market. This means there is expected to be significant demand for healthcare, IT, architecture, pharmacy and engineering professionals, among others.
Search for jobs in Denmark at:
Certain sectors of the Danish workforce are more competitive than others, so work experience could give you the edge when applying for a job.
Employers will not necessarily prioritise work experience gained in Denmark to elsewhere, but some experience in a Danish workplace and exposure to the language may help.
You can search for work experience opportunities at Arbejdsgivernes Elev-og Praktikpladsforum (AEP) (in Danish).
Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:
By volunteering, you can demonstrate to prospective employers your dedication to learning new skills and working hard.
The Diaconal Year in Denmark is a scheme that offers accommodation, meals and spending money in return for a year of volunteering, participating in church-based, social or humanitarian work in the country.
The European Voluntary Service (EVS) , funded by the European Commission, is a programme aimed at people aged 18 to 30 wishing to volunteer abroad. It offers young people the chance to volunteer for up to 12 months in a number of European and non-European countries.
Opportunities vary from placements concerned with sport and culture to others focused on social care and the environment. For successful applicants, accommodation, travel, food and insurance are all covered by a European grant and you even receive a personal allowance each month.
Make sure you thoroughly research all volunteering opportunities and always check the terms and conditions before committing yourself to a scheme.
Danish is the official language of Denmark, although the majority of Danes also have some knowledge of English - an obligatory subject in primary schools. Many Danes also speak German and can understand Norwegian and Swedish.
Due to the proficiency of natives, it is not always necessary for English speakers to have knowledge of Danish in order to get a job, although it won't hurt your chances. However, this depends on the sector and company, so make sure you find out the language requirements of a specific role before applying.
European Union (EU) citizens coming to Denmark and hoping to stay for longer than three months will require a registration certificate, obtained at the Regional State Administration. The permits are simply used to prove their rights as an EU citizen. For more information, visit Statsforvaltningerne - EU Residence .
According to the European Commission, EU citizens have the right to:
For more information and to check what conditions and restrictions apply, see:
EU nationals may also be able to transfer certain types of health and social security coverage to their host country. For more information, see European Commission - Your Rights Country by Country .
Citizens of certain non-EU countries will require a visa, as well as a residence permit.
To find out whether you need a visa, visit The Danish Immigration Service - Do I Need a Visa?
For more details about residence permits, see Study in Denmark - Residence Permits .