Denmark is one of the more popular study destinations in Europe. International students are attracted by the well-known universities, English-taught study options, and tuition rules that make higher education free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, as well as for several categories of students with Danish residence permits. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students usually pay tuition fees, which vary by institution and program. Some Danish institutions also offer orientation activities or buddy arrangements to help international students meet other students, settle in, and experience Danish student life.
If you’re interested in pursuing undergraduate studies in Denmark, below is a guide on how to do it.
Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
Below is a list of general admission requirements for aspiring applicants who wish to study for a bachelor’s degree in Denmark.
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENT | DOCUMENT DETAILS |
|---|
| Qualifying Entrance Examination | For most bachelor’s, professional bachelor’s, and academy profession programs, your qualification must be comparable to a Danish upper secondary school leaving certificate. Some academy profession and professional bachelor’s programs may accept a relevant vocational qualification. Requirements depend on your country, exam, and chosen program, so check the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science’s list of international qualifications for entry to undergraduate programs and the official university program page. |
| Proof of Nationality and Other Related Documents | Your citizenship and residence status help determine whether you must pay tuition fees. Universities may ask for proof of identity, such as a passport or national ID card, and, if you live in Denmark or claim a tuition-fee exemption, a copy of your residence permit and related decision letter. |
| Academic Transcripts | Universities usually require official diplomas, certificates, and transcripts showing your grades and completed subjects. If the documents are not in a language accepted by the university, include an official translation. Exact documentation rules vary by institution and program. |
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Undergraduate Studies
| MEDIUM INSTRUCTION | LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY EXAMS ACCEPTED |
|---|
| English-taught Programs | Applicants must normally document English proficiency comparable to at least English B in the Danish upper secondary school system. Current university admission rules allow English B to be documented by English at level A with the required minimum Danish grade average, a TOEFL score of at least 83, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or another test recognized by the university. Some programs require English A or higher results, so always check the program page. |
| Danish-taught Programs | Applicants must document sufficient written and oral Danish. Most Danish-taught higher education programs require the Study Test in Danish as a Second Language, also called Studieprøven i dansk som andetsprog, or equivalent Danish proficiency. Some programs may require Danish Test 2 or Danish Test 3. |
All higher education programs in Denmark require a high standard of English. Applicants to English-taught undergraduate programs must generally prove English proficiency comparable to at least English B in the Danish upper secondary school system.
Language-test rules can vary by institution and program. As a current baseline for university admission, English B can be documented with a TOEFL score of at least 83, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or another test accepted by the university. Cambridge English exams may also be accepted when recognized by the institution.
Additionally, certain programs will require English A, which is one level higher than English B. Universities set the accepted tests and scores for English A and may also set stricter English requirements, so you should confirm the exact requirement on the official program page before applying.
Some universities require applicants to submit proof of English proficiency even if they come from a native English-speaking country.
If you prefer to study a course taught in Danish, you will need sufficient proficiency in both written and oral Danish. Depending on the university and course you’re applying to, this can be documented by passing the Study Test in Danish as a Second Language, Danish Test 2, Danish Test 3, or another form of Danish proficiency accepted by the institution.
You can also learn Danish while studying. International students are entitled to follow Danish courses for free, and courses are offered through a network of public and private language centers. Many Danish higher education institutions also offer intensive Danish language courses at the beginning of the academic year or as part of a summer university program. We highly recommend learning Danish, as it can improve your experience as an international student and help if you want to work in Denmark after graduation.
Bachelor’s Degree Application Process
The application process in Denmark has several steps, so spend some time studying it beforehand. There are many resources for international students. Here is a general guideline on the Danish application process:
Step 1. Know if You Are Qualified
There are three kinds of entry requirements for undergraduate admission in Denmark: general entry requirements, specific entry requirements, and language requirements.
General entry requirements are the basic requirements you need for admission. These usually include a qualifying upper secondary or vocational qualification, proof of identity and citizenship or residence status, diplomas, transcripts, and any other documents requested by the university.
Specific entry requirements are specific to the course you’re applying for. Some courses may require certain upper secondary subjects, subject levels, grades, admission tests, or other local requirements. If you do not meet a specific requirement, you may be able to take a supplementary course, but these courses are often offered in Danish and do not raise your GPA. Always check your university’s website for the specific entry requirements before applying.
Lastly, language requirements are about your proficiency in English and/or Danish. As mentioned above, you will need to submit proof of this during admission.
Specific and language entry requirements differ by university. You should always check official university websites for detailed information on what entry requirements you need for each course. As a starting point, here are four Global Scholarships profiles for Danish universities: University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, and Aarhus University.
Step 2. Know What Quota You’re In
For programs with restricted admission, places are usually allocated through Quota 1 and Quota 2.
Quota 1 admission is based on the grade point average from an upper secondary education.
Quota 2 admission is based on criteria published by the institution. These may include admission tests, interviews, written assignments, relevant experience, or other criteria. Quota 2 is not a way to skip the entry requirements; your application will not be considered if you do not meet the required entry requirements by the relevant deadline, unless the institution grants conditional admission and allows you to complete supplementary requirements before or shortly after the start of studies. Quota 2 places can be limited, so prepare carefully.
Step 3. Apply Through Optagelse
Optagelse is Denmark’s central admission system for undergraduate higher education. Applicants for bachelor’s, professional bachelor’s, and academy profession programs normally apply through this system. You can apply for up to eight programs at the same time, and the coordinated admission system will make sure you receive no more than one study-place offer, at the highest possible priority for which you qualify.
Start by logging in with MitID or e-mail, depending on what is available to you.
In the application form, you will fill in your personal details, entry qualifications, preferred courses and universities, quota, and required documents. You can return to your application before making your final submission.
Optagelse will not tell you every document required for each program. It is your responsibility to have all the necessary qualifications and documents before you apply. Always cross-check with university websites to make sure you have everything.
Step 4. Give Permission to Access Your Application
If you apply without a Danish CPR number and without MitID, you must send a signed signature page for each program you apply to. The signature page allows each education institution to retrieve your application from Optagelse. If the institution does not receive the signed page by the deadline, your application cannot be processed.
The signature page is generated in Optagelse. Print it, sign it by hand, and send it to the institution that offers the program. Depending on the institution, you may need to send it by e-mail or upload it on the institution’s website. Do not upload the signature page to Optagelse.
You must submit both your final application form and any required signature page by the indicated deadline.
Step 5. Attend Interviews or Aptitude Tests
If you apply through Quota 2 or to a program that uses admission tests, interviews or aptitude tests may be conducted after the application deadline. These are important parts of the selection process. Quota 2 places in some programs are very limited, so do your best to stand out from other applicants. Check the official university websites for schedules, test formats, and other information for Quota 2 applicants.
We hope that this article on studying for a bachelor’s degree in Denmark was helpful. If you’re looking to study abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students.
