Denmark is a highly developed country with well-regarded universities and a strong public health system. Denmark’s cities are also known for livability, especially Copenhagen, making the country an appealing option for students interested in public health. For students who wish to start a career in public health in Denmark, we have narrowed down some universities in Denmark that offer public health programs.
To become a public health professional, it is important to pursue a suitable public health course at a reputable institution. Read on to see our top picks for universities in Denmark that offer public health programs.
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in Denmark
1. University of Southern Denmark
Established in 1998 through a merger of Odense University, the Southern Denmark School of Business and Engineering, and the South Jutland University Centre, the University of Southern Denmark has grown into a major Danish university with campuses across Southern Denmark.
The Department of Public Health focuses on illness and prevention, health promotion, and the wider social perspectives of health. The university offers a Master of Science in Public Health in Odense and Esbjerg. The Esbjerg program is taught in English, while the Odense option is taught in Danish. Students can focus on areas such as global health and equity, health economics and policy, and implementation and evaluation.
2. University of Copenhagen
Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is Denmark’s oldest university and one of the country’s leading research institutions. The university has around 37,000 students and regularly appears in major international university rankings.
The University of Copenhagen is a strong option for public health studies in Denmark. Its Department of Public Health lists bachelor’s and master’s programs in Public Health Science, a Master of Public Health, and a Master of Science in Global Health. The bachelor’s and Master of Science in Public Health programs are taught in Danish. The university also offers a Ph.D. graduate program in Public Health and Epidemiology, which covers areas such as population-based epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, social medicine, prevention, health promotion, and health services research.
The university is located in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. The city is known for its waterways, colorful harbor areas such as Nyhavn, and cultural attractions. Popular sights include the Little Mermaid statue, the Botanical Garden, and the National Museum of Denmark.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Copenhagen Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Minaho Sugimori (Mina)
Master’s in Global Health
Completed June 2026 | Worked with local organisations and universities on a global health topic during the Country Exposure course, valuing the programme’s group work and practical learning. Her classes were in English, and she learned from international professors through both classroom and online teaching. | Fell in love with Copenhagen during an earlier exchange semester, which influenced her decision to return. Reported limited student support opportunities at the university. |
Zachary Gavry
Master of Science in Global Health
Graduated 2017 | Found his English-taught Global Health programme strongly theoretical and advised students seeking technical, data-driven public health skills to examine the curriculum carefully. Appreciated academic independence, but noted that an entire course grade could depend on one paper and felt some professors were less engaged than those he had experienced in the United States. | Reported that international student support covered basic needs but required considerable independence in handling everyday administration. Enjoyed living in Copenhagen, while describing long-term settlement in Denmark as challenging. |
Emma Tkach
Master of Science in Global Health
Graduated 2024 | Described broad Global Health coursework and a four-week Country Exposure course involving collaboration with local researchers and practitioners to develop a locally relevant health research proposal. Her classes were taught in English, and she found the programme’s applied, collaborative learning useful in her subsequent research work. | Found that the programme’s international student community provided a strong social support network. |
3. Aalborg University
Located in the city from which the university gets its name, Aalborg University is another strong option for public health studies in Denmark. The university offers a two-year master’s program in Public Health in Aalborg, taught in Danish. The program focuses on prevention, health promotion, and the organizational, structural, economic, social, and political factors that affect population health.
Aalborg University also offers several services that can help international students settle into university life. These include welcome activities, a Buddy Network for new international students, career guidance, and a limited number of scholarships for selected non-EU/EEA master’s applicants.
FAQs: Public Health Studies in Denmark
Where do Public Health Professionals Work in Denmark?
Public health professionals in Denmark can work in various settings, including hospitals, laboratories, universities, municipalities, regions, government agencies, and private or nonprofit organizations. Denmark’s health system is organized across national, regional, and municipal levels, so public health work may involve health planning, disease prevention, health promotion, research, evaluation, and policy support.
Denmark is worth considering if you are exploring countries where you can begin or advance your journey in public health. Here, you can pursue a strong education while experiencing the cultural and social practices that help place Denmark among the world’s happiest countries.
We hope this article on some of the best public health universities in Denmark was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
