Higher education

Danish higher education institutions use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for measuring study activities. 60 ECTS correspond to one year of full time study. There are four types of institutions offering higher education programmes, each with well-defined profiles and qualities.

Academies of professional higher education (erhvervsakademier)

Academies of professional higher education offer academy profession programmes of 90-150 ECTS in fields such as business, technology and IT.

The programmes prepare the students for performing practical, vocational tasks on an analytical basis and may lead to employment in middle-management positions. They combine theoretical studies with a practically oriented approach in form of work placement.

Degree holders with a short cycle academy profession degree can obtain a professional bachelor degree within the same field of study with a top-up programme of 90 ECTS.

University Colleges (professionshøjskoler)

University colleges and specialised colleges offer professional bachelor programmes of 180-240 ECTS in fields such as business, education, engineering and nursing. The programmes have a strong focus on professional practice and provide students with knowledge of theory and the application of theory to professions and industries.

The programmes include a period of work placement of at least 30 ECTS. Most programmes give access to further studies in the same field.

Universities

All Danish universities are research-intensive institutions offering research-based study programmes in all three cycles up to PhD level.

The bachelor degree (BSc/BA) is awarded after 180 ECTS and qualifies for a professional career and further studies at second cycle level. Most students choose to continue in candidatus programme (MSc/MA) of 120 ECTS. They usually include one or two of the major fields of study of the bachelor programme. Independent research activities and a master's thesis of at least 30 ECTS are required.

The candidatus programmes qualify students for a professional career and for scientific work. The PhD degree is obtained after 180 ECTS and consists of research, participation in research courses, teaching and public defence of a thesis.

University level institutions

A number of university level institutions are regulated by the Danish Ministry of Culture and offer first, second and third cycle degree programmes in subject fields such as architecture, design, mu-sic and fine and performing arts. The bachelor, master and PhD programmes at these institutions are awarded after 180, 120 and 180 ECTS, respectively. A higher education degree within theatre or filmmaking is awarded after 4 years of study (240 ECTS). Music Academies offer a specialist degree of 2 to 4 years following the master’s degree.

Admission

General access requirements to higher education are one of the general upper secondary school leaving examinations, or comparable qualifications. Access may also depend on specific requirements such as a particular subject combination in upper secondary school or a certain level of grades. Admission to some particular programmes requires entrance examination or submission of a portfolio of artistic work.

Programmes and courses taught in English

Danish higher education institutions offer more than 500 degree programmes (most of them at candidatus level) and over 1,000 individual modules taught entirely in English.

For more information about courses and programmes in English and courses in Danish language and culture, please see www.studyindenmark.dk.

Other educational programmes

There are educational programmes which do not belong under the mentioned headings. These are for example programmes within the police force, some programmes within the area of defense and the maritime area, where admission requirements can differ between completions of compulsory schooling, VET programmes to relevant experience.