After the assessment

• How to read the assessment letter
• How to use the assessment letter

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How to read the assessment letter

The assessment (evaluation) letter first explains the basis for the assessment:

• documentation of the qualification(s) assessed
• facts about the qualification(s) and educational institution(s).

After that follows the level assessment, written in bold letters.

Level in the Danish education system

The assessment indicates the level to which the foreign qualification corresponds in the Danish education system, for example:

• Upper secondary education (ungdomsuddannelse): Vocational Education and Training (erhvervsuddannelse) or General Upper Secondary School (gymnasial uddannelse).
• Higher education: Academy Profession degree (erhvervsakademiuddannelse – short-cycle professional higher education), Professional bachelor's degree (medium-cycle professional higher education), Bachelor's, Candidatus (Master's) or PhD degree (long-cycle higher education).

If the level of the foreign qualification does not correspond fully to a particular level in the Danish education system, the assessment may express the level in terms of a certain number of years of a Danish programme of education.

Field of education

As far as possible, the assessment also indicates the field of education to which the qualification assessed belongs in the Danish education system. In some cases, the qualification is compared to a specific Danish qualification. If no corresponding Danish qualification exists, the assessment normally mentions a broader field of study such as the field of social science.

What is the assessment based on?

The basis for the assessment includes, in particular, the entry requirements, nominal length, aims, subject combination and structure of the programme as well as the relationship between theory and practice in the programme. The Danish Agency for International Education may take into consideration any previous assessment of the qualification or assessments of similar qualifications by other countries.

We only assess qualifications gained through education and training. It does not assess competencies acquired through professional experience, short courses, non-formal education, life experience etc. The qualifications to which the assessment applies are listed in the assessment letter.

Legal basis

The Danish Agency for International Education provides level assessments under the Assessment of Foreign Qualifications etc. Act (Consolidation Act no. 371 of 13 April 2007).

It is not possible to make a complaint about the content of an assessment by the Danish Agency for International Education to another administrative authority (cf. section 7 (2) of the act).

Read more about the Danish legislation on assessment and recognition.

About the Danish Agency for International Education

The Danish Agency for International Education (previously) is a government agency within the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Its responsibilities include the assessment and recognition of foreign qualifications. Established in January 2005, the agency replaced, among others, the former Centre for Assessment of Foreign Qualifications (CVUU).

How to use the assessment letter

The assessment letter can be used when applying for a job, for admission to a study programme or for membership of an unemployment fund. It can also help clarify education and job opportunities in Denmark.

Employment

The potential employer decides on the suitability of the applicant's qualifications. The assessment letter can be included with the job application to help the employer understand the level of the foreign qualification. It should be noted that a foreign qualification does not necessarily correspond to a particular Danish qualification as regards course contents, even if the two qualifications correspond in level.

When appointing staff, Danish public authorities are required to base their decisions on any assessment by the Danish Agency for International Education as far as the level of the applicant's foreign qualifications is concerned.

Furthermore, state employers must base their decision on an assessment by the agency when pay-grading the holder of a foreign degree appointed to a position under the agreement for state employed graduates (the AC agreement).

Admission to further study or training

The individual educational institution decides on the admission of applicants to its programmes. However, the level of education indicated by the Danish Agency for International Education is binding on the educational institution when it decides whether the applicant satisfies the general entry requirements. This means that the application for admission must be treated on an equal footing with applications from Danish qualification holders at the same level of education as that stated in the assessment.

In addition, specific admission requirements may apply to the study programme in question, e.g. requirements concerning marks (grades). Such requirements apply to applicants with Danish and foreign qualifications alike.

• Read more on continuing your education.

Credit transfer

If you have already studied a subject abroad, you can apply for credit transfer to replace parts of a Danish programme, provided that you have applied for admission, been admitted to or are enrolled on that programme. The educational institution decides whether you are entitled to credit transfer. An assessment by the Danish Agency for International Education can only be used as guidance. An applicant disagreeing with the decision on credit transfer concerning foreign qualifications or study periods may file a complaint with the "Qualifications Board" (Kvalifikationsnævnet).

• Read more about the complaints procedure.

Unemployment fund membership

The level of education indicated by the Danish Agency for International Education in its assessment is binding on the unemployment fund when it decides on admission. This means that the unemployment fund must treat an application for admission based on a foreign qualification on an equal footing with applications from Danish qualification holders at the same level of education as that stated in the agency's assessment. The assessment does not in itself entitle the holder to membership of an unemployment fund.

Clarifying education and job opportunities in Denmark

Guidance on education and career opportunities can be obtained by calling at the nearest study guidance centre (Studievalg) or job centre – see links below. The assessment can form the basis for a meeting with the study or career counsellor.