Higher Education Institutions

There are different types of higher education institutions in Denmark which provide diverse kinds of academic programmes such as Bachelor, Academy Profession, Master’s, PhD, and Exchange programmes.

Featured below is a list of Danish higher education institutions: Universities, Artistic Higher Education Institutions University Colleges, and Schools of Maritime Education & Training.

Find your Study Programme:

https://studyindenmark.dk/portal

Academic Semester in Denmark: There are two semesters (intakes) in each year. They are Autumn and Spring.

1. September Intake: usually, the admission deadline is 15 March for courses starting in August or September. Application online portal opens 1^st of February. And it closes in 15^th March. University first responses regarding application from 28^th July. Class starts in August/September.
2. January Intake: For January intake courses, usually, the deadline is 1 September. The application forms are available from the institutions approximately two months prior to the deadline. For January Intake courses, applicants have to contact with the university to know the response time. There is no transparent information as found for the September Intake.

Entry Requirements: for the students taught in English as a medium of instruction:

1. 1. Undergraduate
      1. Passport
      2. Minimum HSC.
      3. HSC and a Supplementary Course (HSC+1 year (completed) of a Bachelor degree).
      4. Usually, 6.00 to 7.00 IELTS or any related Proof of English Proficiency Certificate.
      5. A motivational Essay (optional-depends on the institution).
      6. Filled-up verification form
   2. Postgraduate:
      1. Passport
      2. A 4 Years Bachelor’s Degree.
      3. Usually, 6.00 to 7.00 IELTS or any related Proof of English Proficiency Certificate.
      4. 2 recommendation letters (depending on the university/institution) from teachers of the last education institutions.
      5. CV
      6. Course Descriptions
      7. University Degree Grading Scale
      8. And other relevant educational documents.

University Admission Application Process:

Undergraduate: 

1. Application Fee: Not Applicable/Applicable – Few educational institutions ask for an application fee and few others don’t ask for any application fee.
   1. The only undergraduate admissions portal is Optagelse.dk, except for Master’s programmes and adult higher education.
   2. Students can apply for up to Eight Programmes. You must list priority. Your 1^st priority is the one you prefer to be admitted to.
   3. Firstly, open an account through optagelse.dk. Secondly, attach documents as required, such as HSC Certificates, IELTS Certificates, and motivational essays (optional-depends on the institution). Thirdly, you must print, sign and send a signature page for each application. Fourthly, if you apply for the same programme at several places, you must make an application to each educational institution. Finally, you must send a signature page each to programme you apply for at the educational institution offering the program (some institutions may receive a signature page via email).
   4. You will get only one offer.
   5. Result day: 28 July (whether you are offered an offer or rejected).
   6. If you are admitted, you must confirm that you want to be enrolled in the programme.

How to get a permit:

As a non-EU/EAA citizen you may be granted a Danish residence permit in order to study in Denmark.

To be granted a residence permit, you must prove in writing that:

• You have been accepted as a student to a higher education course/programme at a university, college or institute that has been approved by the Danish government
• You are either completing an entire educational programme offered by a Danish institution of higher learning or are a visiting/guest student attending part of a programme that you have already commenced in your country of residence.
• You can support yourself financially for the duration of your stay. This can be documented by proving that you have paid tuition fee for the first semester or year. If you submit a bank statement for financial documentation, please note that the bank statement must be less than 30 days old, that your name is visible and that it clearly states the currency in which the account is held.
• You can speak and understand the language of instruction and have a command of either Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German.

How to apply for a student residence permit:

To apply for a Danish residence permit you have to fill out this application form

Make sure you fill out the application form correctly. You are obligated to give true and correct information to the Danish Immigration Authorities.

You may risk having your application rejected or the processing time of your case delayed if you fail to do so.

The process is as follows:

• First, a representative of the educational institution in Denmark will complete section two of the application form and send it to you with the attach the required documents attached.
• Next, you must complete section one of the application form and attach your own supporting documents to it (remember to sign the sworn declaration at the end of the form).
• Lastly, you must submit the application form in its entirety at the nearest Danish Embassy, General Consulate or VFS-station. The application will then be forwarded to the Danish Immigration Service for processing. You can also submit your application online. In this case, you must submit your biometric features at one of the aforementioned Danish Representations within 14 days.

Note: A 2000 DKK processing fee will normally be charged when applying for a residence permit or an extension of a residence permit.

The International Office can help you
If you need help when applying for a Danish residence permit, contact the International Office at the institution you have been accepted to. They can guide you, if for example it is not possible to apply for a biometric residence permit in your home country. Contact details for all institutions.

Useful links:

How to apply for a residence permit to study in Denmark
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Study/Higher-education?anchor=howtoapply

Danish government scholarships for highly qualified non-EU/EEA students:

Danish universities receive a limited number of government scholarships each year to fund highly qualified full-degree students from non-EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.

In order to be eligible for a scholarship, you must be…

• a citizen of a country outside the EU, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland
• enrolled in a full-degree higher education programme
• granted a time-limited residence permit in Denmark due to education

Please note: The government scholarship consists of two parts and can be given as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants towards covering your living costs. However, since the scholarships are administered by the higher education institutions themselves, you should enquire at the institution of your choice for further details.

Useful links:

• Erasmus (European Commission)
  https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/opportunities/individuals/students/studying-abroad_en
• Erasmus Mundus (European Commission)
  https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters-scholarships_en
• List of approved Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses in Denmark
  https://ufm.dk/uddannelse/tilskud-til-udveksling-og-internationale-projekter/erasmusplus/videregaende-uddannelser/ovrige-ordninger/erasmus-mundus/danske-institutioners-deltagelse-i-erasmus-mundus-joint-master-degrees-2020 
• Erasmus Mundus in Denmark
  http://ufm.dk/en/education-and-institutions/programmes-supporting-cooperation-and-mobility/erasmus-erasmus-mundus-and-tempus-programmes
• Nordplus
  http://www.nordplusonline.org/
• The Fullbright Commission
  http://www.wemakeithappen.dk/
• The Danish State Educational Support (SU), Danish Rules
  http://www.su.dk/english/su-as-a-foreign-citizen/equal-status-according-to-danish-rules/
• The Danish State Educational Support (SU), EU law
  http://www.su.dk/english/su-as-a-foreign-citizen/equal-status-according-to-eu-law/
• The European Researchers’ Mobility Portal
  http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/

Working hours and legalities :

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens may work in Denmark for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during June, July and August. However, this requires a work permit sticker in your passport. If you did not apply for a work permit when applying for a residence permit to study in Denmark, you can apply for one at the Danish Immigration Service.

How to apply for a student residence permit.

If you are under 18 years of age, you are only eligible for a work permit if you have a written offer or contract for a specific position. The employer must also confirm to the Danish Immigration Service that he or she upholds workplace environment legislation.

Please note:If you work illegally in Denmark – for example by working more than 20 hours a week as a non-EU/EEA student – the Danish Immigration Service will either revoke your residence permit or refuse to extend it. You risk deportation. Also, both you and your employer could face a prison sentence or be fined.

Useful links:
How to apply for at residence permit to study in Denmark
http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/studies/how_to_apply.htm

Job portals:

Danish government website for international recruitment: 

• www.workindenmark.dk/en

Other job portals in English

• https://www.jobindex.dk/?lang=en
• https://www.stepstone.dk/?lang=en
• www.graduateland.com
• www.randstad.dk (only in Danish)
• https://www.it-jobbank.dk/?lang=en
• www.adecco.dk (temporary positions)
• www.erasmusintern.org/ (internships)
• www.studenterguiden.dk/en/studiejob
• www.statum.dk/en/candidate/vacant-positions/