The learning environment in Denmark is worth considering. Danish higher education combines traditional lectures with student-centered teaching, open debate, teamwork, and problem-based learning. Aside from the high-quality education it offers, many programs encourage collaboration with fellow students, regardless of the student’s field of study.
Many Danish universities provide free tuition to EU/EEA and Swiss students, as well as to students who qualify for tuition exemption under certain residence-status rules. Students from other countries generally pay tuition fees, but they may be eligible for a range of scholarships and tuition waivers. Danish higher education institutions also offer many English-taught study programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, exchange, and summer school options.
In this article, we will give you a list of Danish higher education institutions that offer English-taught study options. This list will be useful for students who plan to study in Denmark.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Denmark
1. University of Southern Denmark
The University of Southern Denmark offers English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as PhD programs through its five PhD schools. It is a good choice for students who prefer an inclusive, international study environment that values creativity, critical thinking, and academic ambition.
SDU offers multiple bachelor’s programs taught in English and a wide range of master’s programs taught in English. PhD applicants can apply through one of SDU’s five PhD schools. The standard PhD program is three years, while some schools also offer four-year routes for students who have completed the first year of a master’s program.
EU/EEA and Swiss full-degree students do not pay tuition fees at SDU. Non-EU/EEA students generally pay tuition fees, but SDU offers a very limited number of scholarships for non-EU/EEA citizens on programs at its Sønderborg and Vejle campuses.
2. VIA University College
- Study Program
- English-taught study options: Bachelor’s, AP degree, exchange programs, summer school and short-term courses
At VIA University College, academic programs combine Danish learning traditions with practical, applied education. VIA offers more than 20 study programs in English across fields such as engineering, health sciences, design, education, and business.
VIA’s English-taught full-degree options include bachelor’s and AP degree programs in animation, construction, design, engineering, and business. Examples include Character Animation, Computer Graphic Arts, Graphic Storytelling, Architectural Technology and Construction Management, Construction Management, Climate and Supply Engineering, Software Technology, and Design, Technology and Business. Students who are not looking for a full degree can also consider VIA’s exchange programs and summer school courses.
3. The Royal Danish Academy of Music
For music lovers, Denmark is one of the places in Europe to consider for high-level music education. Located in Frederiksberg in the Copenhagen area, the Royal Danish Academy of Music specializes in the education and training of classical musicians and attracts students, faculty, and guest teachers from around the world.
The Royal Danish Academy of Music is a strong English-taught option in Denmark. Study in Denmark lists bachelor’s, master’s, and advanced postgraduate programs at the academy, and notes that programs except music teaching are generally available in English. However, applicants should still check each individual program page before applying, since some specialized programs may have different language-of-instruction details. Admission is based on an application process and entrance examinations, so prospective students should review the requirements carefully.
4. Copenhagen Business School
Copenhagen Business School offers bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD study options in business-related fields. Its programs combine business studies with fields such as politics, sociology, IT, communication, entrepreneurship, and related disciplines.
CBS currently lists 15 bachelor’s programs and more than 30 master’s programs overall. At the bachelor’s level, CBS’s English-taught programs listed in its application guidance include BSc in Business Administration and Digital Management, BSc in Business Administration and Service Management, BSc in Business Administration and Sociology, BSc in International Business, BSc in International Business and Politics, and BSc in International Shipping and Trade. At the master’s level, CBS offers a broad selection of programs, and applicants should confirm availability and language of instruction on each program page. PhD applicants can pursue routes such as a research fellow position, the 4+4 scheme, independent PhD status, or an industrial PhD. Visiting PhD students may also arrange research stays through a relevant department.
5. Aalborg University
Aalborg University is known for the Aalborg Model for Problem Based Learning. Students often work in groups on a large project each semester while also following lectures and other forms of instruction. This approach helps students build teamwork, problem-solving, and project-management skills that are useful in the labor market.
AAU currently lists four fully English-taught bachelor’s degree programs: Applied Industrial Electronics, Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and Economics and Business Administration. The bachelor’s program in Language and International Studies, English is only partly taught in English and requires Danish at the highest level. At the master’s level, international students can study programs in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, technical sciences, and health sciences. Students can also continue into PhD opportunities depending on department and research area.
If you are worried about learning Danish, or if your Danish is not yet strong enough for a Danish-taught program, this article shows that there are many English-taught study options at Danish higher education institutions. Do not hesitate to start your academic journey. Denmark offers a promising higher education environment for international students.
We hope you found this article on the best English-taught universities in Denmark informative and helpful. If you are interested, check out the Study in Denmark and Available Programs in Europe!
