Denmark
The Danish labour market is known for its flexibility. International surveys by the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have for years ranked the Danish labour market as one of the most flexible in the world and allows employers to adjust employees given market demands.
In spite of the recession, Denmark is still considered by many to be one of the best places to be employed in Europe, as far as employee welfare is concerned (Ice News, 2010).
Historically low levels of unemployment have risen sharply with the recession. Denmark is likely to make a slow and modest recovery, though unemployment is likely to rise through 2010 (World Fact Book, July 2010).
The typical method for applying for a job in Denmark is via a covering letter and CV. The letter should be approximately one sheet of A4. Relevant education certificates and references from former employers are also usually sent with the application. Try to direct your application to a specific person at the company you are applying to.
CVs should be kept brief and factual with work experience being viewed as more important than extra-curricular activities. See Eurograduate, Denmark - Sample CV for an example.
In Denmark, your CV should be short, consisting of no more than two pages. You should begin with your name, address, and contact information followed by education including relevant supplementary courses. Follow this with language and IT skills as well as positions of responsibility - particularly leadership. Then include your employment history/work experience with an emphasis on skills.
Application procedures can vary and will be included in the job details.
The interview process is similar to the UK - see interview tips. Candidates are invited for interview and questioned about your professional competence, personality and motivation. Employers will assess if you fit with the culture of their organisation. They will expect you to have a good understanding of their business. Psychometric and aptitude tests are increasingly popular particularly with larger companies.
If you wish to compare your professional, vocational or technical qualifications with Danish qualifications, you can consult the UK National Reference Point for Vocational Qualifications (NRP). Contact the UK National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) or visit the ENIC-NARIC website for information on comparability of your academic qualifications.
If you are planning to live and work in Denmark, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Recruitment agencies handle all types of work. Contact details are available from:
In Denmark, most job advertisements appear in the Sunday editions of the newspapers.
Not all job vacancies are advertised, so it can be worthwhile sending speculative applications to employers in the field you are interested in. Networking with other professionals can also help to uncover opportunities.
The Arbejdsgivernes Elev-og Praktikpladsforum (AEP) website offers advice and information on obtaining work placements in Denmark.
Placements can also be arranged through organisations in the UK such as the AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales); the IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience); and the International Voluntary Service (IVS) in Britain.
It may also be a good idea to send speculative applications to relevant companies asking for work placements. Details on where to find lists of companies can be found in job market.
The Erasmus programme gives students studying at UK universities the opportunity to spend between three and twelve months either studying at a university or training at a job in Denmark or another EU/EEA country. A growing number of Erasmus placements in Denmark take place in English. Successful applicants receive a subsistence grant to help towards travel and accommodation costs. The Erasmus programme also funds Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC) in Denmark. This gives you the opportunity to study Danish for three to eight weeks at the host university before starting your exchange.
The Leonardo da Vinci Programme offers exchange opportunities for students to carry out work placements in another European country. Like the Erasmus exchange, it is organised through registered universities or colleges, and placements are an integral part of a final university qualification. The European Commission provides additional funding to cover costs such as travel.
You can learn about opportunities to teach in Denmark by going to the Cirius website.
Volunteer opportunities in Denmark can be found on the Volunteer Abroad website.
There may be opportunities for seasonal or summer work in hotels, restaurants, and pubs in Copenhagen and other main cities. Some knowledge of Danish may be required.
One of the main British camping agencies operating in Denmark is Eurocamp. It is preferred that you can speak another European language well, as the job involves welcoming and interacting with a range of visiting nationalities. Employees must be over 18. For employment details see Holiday Break Jobs.
Additionally, Denmark has a large agricultural industry which employs casual labourers. The main fruit harvests (tomatoes, apples, cherries, and strawberries) are between July and September.
A number of au pair agencies operate throughout Europe or have associated agencies abroad that can help you find au pairing vacancies. Try Childcare International and Au Pairs by Avalon for more information and au pair vacancies. Placements range in length. Although you are often required to stay for a year, Childcare International can offer some two to six month stays. To become an au pair in Europe you must be aged between 18 and 27.
Other information on casual, short-term and gap-year opportunities can be found on at The Backpacking Site and Europa - Volunteer Exchanges. See gap year for more general advice.
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:
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.
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.
A list of universities is available at Universities Worldwide - search Denmark.
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.
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).
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.
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.
A variety of scholarships are available for study in Denmark. Refer to Study in Denmark - Tuition Fees and Scholarships
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.
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.
European Union (EU) citizens are allowed to live, work and study in Denmark with a visa or work permit. However, you must apply for a residence permit with the state county within three months of entry, and provide proof of employment or income.
Rules for Danish visas, work permits, or residence permits are very clearly organised and precise. Applications for work permits must be initiated and submitted only through Danish diplomatic missions (embassies or selected general consulates) in either the home or legal country.
It is important to note that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are a part of Denmark but not part of the EU, so a work permit will be required for employment in these areas.
With the enlargement of the EU, the above policies may not yet be applicable to citizens of some new EU member states. If you are from a country that recently joined the EU, some restrictions on work permits may apply. You should contact the Danish Embassy in your home country for more information.
Information is also available from The Danish Immigration Service, the British Embassy in Denmark and the Work in Denmark website.
If you are from a non-EU country, contact the Danish embassy in the country where you are currently residing. If you are living in the UK, go to the Embassy of Denmark, London.
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Denmark.
As a general rule, you must have a residence permit before arriving in Denmark. The Danish Immigration Service recommends that you apply two-three months before arriving in Denmark.
Your application should be sent to the Danish mission in your country of origin or the country where you have lived for the last three months. You can get the application form from the Danish mission or The Danish Immigration Service.
Jobnet Denmark , administered by the Arbejdsmarkedsstyrelsen (National Labour Market Authority) in Denmark, includes the addresses of all local employment offices in Denmark (in Danish) on its website. It allows job seekers to search the database of available employment and to submit their qualifications into a CV bank.
You can also get contact details for the European Employment Services advisers in Denmark through EURES - European Job Mobility Portal. EURES advisers are trained specialists who provide information and guidance to job seekers interested in working in Denmark.
An increasing number of universities in Denmark have established special career guidance centres, which provide career guidance for students during their studies.
The British Embassy in Denmark can provide a range of help for UK citizens who find themselves in emergency situations.
Healthcare facilities in Denmark are of a high standard under the terms of the EEA Regulation. British nationals are covered for emergency treatment whilst they are in Denmark. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.
The emergency contact number for police, fire and ambulance is 112.
Find the latest travel advice and a travellers’ checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
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