Biology helps us understand living organisms, the ecosystems they inhabit, and the effects of environmental change. Studying biology can also prepare students to address challenges involving biodiversity, health, food production, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Denmark has pursued a long-term transition away from fossil fuels and toward lower-carbon energy sources. The country is recognized for its strengths in areas such as offshore wind power, biomethane, and district heating.
Let’s take a look at the best biology schools in Denmark!
Top Schools Offering Biology Programs in Denmark
1. University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 and is Denmark’s oldest university. It is also the Nordic region’s second-oldest university, after Uppsala University, which was founded in 1477.
The university has four main campuses in Copenhagen. According to its current rankings information, it is ranked 90th in both the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and the QS World University Rankings 2027.
The university offers a Danish-taught bachelor’s program in Biology and a two-year, English-taught master’s program in Biology. Biology-related doctoral study is also available through the Faculty of Science’s three-year PhD program.
The master’s program allows students to choose from five specializations: Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cell Biology and Physiology, Microbiology, Ecology, and Marine Biology. Its curriculum combines compulsory, restricted-elective, and elective courses with either a 45- or 60-ECTS master’s thesis.
Other related programs offered by the university include Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biology-Biotechnology, Environmental Science, and Forest and Nature Management.
2. Aarhus University
Aarhus University was established in 1928. It is currently organized into five faculties and 32 departments and schools.
The university offers more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s programs taught in English across its academic disciplines.
Biology is available as a three-year, Danish-taught bachelor’s degree, a two-year master’s degree, and a PhD program. The master’s program allows students to specialize in one or more areas of biology according to their academic interests.
Teaching combines lectures with theoretical and practical exercises, often completed in small groups. Depending on their course selections, students may also undertake laboratory work, field courses, and research connected to their master’s thesis.
Students can tailor their courses and thesis to their preferred field. Eligible students may also apply for the Arctic Science Study Programme, which focuses on Arctic environments and field-based learning.
3. Technical University of Denmark
The Technical University of Denmark, commonly known as DTU, was founded in 1829 by physicist Hans Christian Ørsted. Its main campus is located in Kongens Lyngby.
DTU is a member of the EuroTech Universities Alliance, whose members also include EPFL, École Polytechnique, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Technical University of Munich, and Technion.
DTU Bioengineering, formally the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, conducts teaching and research at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels.
Current biology-related master’s programs at DTU include Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, and Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering. The former master’s program in Quantitative Biology and Disease Modelling held its final enrollment round in 2023 and no longer accepts new students.
The master’s program in Bioinformatics, previously called Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, trains students to use computational methods and mathematical models to analyze biological data. Examples include DNA and protein sequences, gene-expression measurements, and biological interaction networks.
PhD study at DTU Bioengineering is normally completed over three years of full-time study and corresponds to 180 ECTS credits.
4. University of Southern Denmark
The University of Southern Denmark, commonly known as SDU, was inaugurated in 1966. It currently operates seven campuses in Odense, Vejle, Esbjerg, Kolding, Copenhagen, Slagelse, and Sønderborg.
SDU also participates in cross-border research and educational collaborations with German institutions, including the University of Kiel and universities in Flensburg.
The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study related to biology. Its master’s program in Biology is a two-year, English-taught program based in Odense, with study starts available in September and February.
Current areas of specialization include Acoustic Communication and Behavior, Nature Conservation and Biodemography, Ecology and Environmental Management, and Ecotoxicology and Chemical Regulation.
The program emphasizes laboratory and field-based study. Students have access to modern laboratory facilities and two field stations located in Kerteminde and southern Funen.
Graduates may pursue careers in research, environmental management, teaching, biotechnology, and other fields that require biological expertise.
5. Aalborg University
Wrapping up the list, we have Aalborg University. In the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, the university placed 25th overall.
Aalborg University offers an English-taught bachelor’s program in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at its Esbjerg campus. It also offers two-year, English-taught master’s programs in Bioengineering in Esbjerg and Biotechnology in Aalborg.
The master’s program in Bioengineering covers subject areas such as bioenergy, biotechnology, and bioprocesses. It prepares students to work with biological resources and processes in areas that may include energy, environmental technology, food, and industrial production.
The master’s program in Biotechnology covers topics such as genetic engineering, proteins, microbiomes, and cell cultures. Teaching combines lectures, theoretical exercises, laboratory work, and project work, and students may have the opportunity to specialize in Medical Biotechnology.
Biology offers career pathways in research, environmental management, biotechnology, education, and related fields. International applicants should review the current program language, admission requirements, tuition fees, and application deadlines on each university’s official website because these conditions can vary by degree and nationality.
We hope this article on the best biology universities in Denmark was informative and helpful. If you are interested, make sure to also check out the Study in Denmark and Available Programs in Europe!
