General and vocational upper secondary education

In Denmark, upper secondary education programmes (ISCED 3), also referred to as youth education programmes, can be divided into:

• General upper secondary education programmes, which primarily prepare for higher education.
• Vocational upper secondary education and training programmes, which primarily prepare trainees for a career in a specific trade or industry.

In 2008, 241,000 pupils were enrolled in upper secondary education programmes. Approximately 49% were enrolled in a general programme at 149 institutions, while 51% were enrolled in a vocational programme at 109 institutions.

General upper secondary education programmes

There are four academically oriented general upper secondary programmes:

• The 3-year Upper Secondary School Leaving Examination (STX);
• The 3-year Higher Commercial Examination (HHX);
• The 3-year Higher Technical Examination (HTX); and
• The 2-year Higher Preparatory Examination (HF).

All four programmes prepare pupils for further studies and, at the same time, develop the pupils' personal and general competencies. The programmes aim at enhancing the pupils' independent and analytical skills as well as preparing them to become democratic and socially conscious citizens with a global outlook.

Each of the education programmes has its specific range of compulsory subjects that are common for all pupils taking the programme. With regards to the STX, HHX and HTX, each school also offers a number of different specialized studies programme (packages normally containing three subjects) and elective subjects for pupils to choose between. The specialized study programme is of a longer duration than the basic programme.

With regards to the HF programme, pupils make their choices from among the electives offered by the school.

The curriculum and examinations must follow national standards and are subject to external evaluation. The curricula of the HHX and the HTX differ from those of the STX and the HF in the sense that the HHX besides some general upper secondary subjects include financial and business subjects and the HTX technical subjects.

The STX and HF programmes are offered by general upper secondary schools. This sort of school is called Gymnasium. Business and technical colleges offer the HHX and the HTX programmes, respectively. Some schools are mixed schools offering various types of programmes.

Admission requirements for the STX, HHX and HTX are a Leaving Certificate of the Folkeskole as well as certain subject requirements. For the HF, admission requirements are 10 years of basic school or the equivalent thereof. The STX, HHX and HTX are for those aged 16-19, whereas the HF attracts both young people and adults. The HF programme can be taken on a single-subject basis and is also taught in evening classes.

Starting from the school year 2010/2011, a new youth programme is offered to young pupils - EUX. It is a general upper secondary education STX programme which VET students can attend while completing their VET programme. Not all VET programmes will be able to offer this combination. The programme is to be adapted so it fits each of the VET programmes with regards to duration and subjects. EUX gives general access to higher education.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Vocational education and training (VET) includes a vast range of programmes. The duration varies from 1½  to 5½ years, the most typical being 3½  to 4 years. VET programmes are sandwich-type programmes in which theoretical and practical education at a vocational college (approximately 1/3 of the time) alternates with practical training in an approved company or organisation (approxi-mately 2/3 of the time). The dual training principle ensures that the trainees acquire theoretical, practical, general and personal skills, which are in demand on the labour market.

Vocational education and training consists of a basic course and a main course. The basic course is flexible in duration and depends on the individual pupil’s prior qualifications. The typical length of a basic course is between 20 to 25 weeks followed by the main course, which is based on the al-ternating principle. This typically takes 3 - 3½ years, but can be shorter or longer for certain pro-grammes. In order to complete the main course, the pupil must have a training agreement with an approved company which offers training. The agreement can cover all or parts of the basic course, but is compulsory for the main course.

VET programmes are normally completed with a journeyman's test or a similar examination testing vocational skills and knowledge.

The majority commences their VET programme with an initial basic programme at a vocational col-lege, but some trainees choose to begin with a period of in-company training before they enter the basic programme. Also, pupils who prefer practical training to school attendance can commence their vocational education in a company which offers practical training. Also referred to as the ”New Apprenticeship”. The pupil enters a training agreement with a company and during the first year must acquire the same knowledge and qualifications as the pupils who have followed the basic programme at a college. This requires flexible adaptation on the part of the pupil, the company and the college.

There is a choice of 12 vocational clusters which lead to the related vocational programme:

• Motor vehicle, aircraft and other means of transportation 
• Building and construction
• Construction and user service
• Animals, plants and nature
• Body and style
• Human food
• Media production
• Business
• Production and development
• Electricity, management and IT
• Health, care and pedagogy
• Transport and logistics

Admission to vocational education and training requires completion of compulsory education. All programmes qualify trainees for labour market entry as skilled workers. In addition, some programmes can qualify trainees for admission to certain types of higher education programmes. 

Basic Educational and Vocational Training (EGU)

A special option for young people in a difficult educational or employment situation is the vocational basic training programme (EGU). The EGU is an individually designed programme focused on a specific trade, or composed of elements from several trades/programmes.
The EGU alternates between school-based periods and periods of practical training in one or more companies. The main focus is on practical training and an individual programme is designed for each trainee depending on his or her needs and interests. Trainees are offered individual guidance during the entire programme.

In most cases, the trainees finish their EGU after two years but it may be extended by up to one more year.

A completed EGU gives access to employment and also allows the trainees to continue in a VET programme.

Production schools

Production schools are schools for young people under the age of 25 who have not completed a youth education programme and who belong to the target group of production schools. The pur-poses of the production schools are to enhance pupils' personal development and to improve their future possibilities in the education system and on the labour market. There are around 90 production schools in Denmark, often placed in small and medium-sized towns.
Production schools are based on practical work in workshops, ranging from carpentry or metalwork to media or theatre workshops. Teaching is aimed at providing the young people with qualifications which will enable them to complete a vocationally qualifying educational programme after leaving the production school. Pupils are offered individual guidance on a day-to-day basis to support their efforts to clarify their future choice of education, training and job. There are no examinations at production schools.

Production schools have continuous intake. Pupils typically stay for an average of 5 months; approximately 30% for more than 6 months. A pupil is entitled to a maximum of one year at a production school.