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日本語Admission Requirements to Study in Denmark
Scandinavia's most internationally accessible higher education system.
Denmark is consistently ranked among the world's best countries for quality of life, and its universities reflect that standard. The University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and Copenhagen Business School (CBS) all rank in the global top 200. Denmark is also notable for its pedagogical approach — Danish universities emphasize independent thinking, project-based learning, and student-faculty collaboration in a way that distinguishes them from more lecture-heavy European traditions. English is widely spoken throughout Danish society, making the country remarkably accessible for international students.
Academic Qualifications
What Danish universities recognize as valid entry qualifications
Danish universities require a secondary school diploma equivalent to the Danish STX (Studentereksamen — Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate), awarded after three years of upper secondary school. The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science evaluates foreign qualifications through ENIC-NARIC Denmark. EU applicants with recognized secondary diplomas are generally assessed by the admitting university. Non-EU applicants may need to have their qualifications formally assessed for equivalency before their application can be reviewed. For Master's programs, a recognized Bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS in a relevant field is required. Note that Danish higher education distinguishes between Professional Bachelor's degrees (professionsbachelor) and academic Bachelor's degrees — only academic Bachelor's degrees give direct access to Master's programs.
Language Requirements
| English-taught programs (most) | IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88 |
|---|---|
| University of Copenhagen (selective) | IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 94 for some programs |
| DTU / CBS | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 88 standard |
| Danish-taught programs | Studieprøven (Study Test) or equivalent C1 Danish proficiency |
How to Apply
International applicants apply directly to each Danish institution
- Research your target institution. Denmark's leading universities include the University of Copenhagen, DTU (Technical University of Denmark), Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Aarhus University, and Aalborg University.
- Note: the Coordinated Enrollment system (KOT/optagelse.dk) is for Danish secondary school graduates only. International applicants apply directly to each university through its international admissions portal.
- Prepare your academic documents — diploma, transcripts, and certified English translations of any non-English documents.
- Sit your language proficiency test if required. IELTS and TOEFL are both accepted. Some universities also accept Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
- Submit your application through the university's online portal before the deadline, typically March 1 or March 15 for September intake.
- After receiving your admission offer, non-EU/EEA students apply for a Danish student visa (residence permit for study purposes) through the Danish Immigration Service (Udlændingestyrelsen).
Required Documents
- Certified copy of secondary school diploma
- Official transcripts for all completed study
- Certified English or Danish translation of all documents
- Proof of English language proficiency — IELTS or TOEFL
- Proof of Danish language proficiency (for Danish-taught programs)
- Motivation letter / Statement of purpose
- CV / Résumé
- Passport copy (valid throughout planned stay)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Proof of financial means (DKK 5,800/month minimum)
- Health insurance certificate
- Portfolio (for architecture, design, and arts programs)
Tuition and Financial Requirements
EU students study free; non-EU students pay significant tuition
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens study free at Danish public universities. Non-EU students pay tuition fees that vary by institution and program — typically DKK 45,000–120,000 per year (approximately €6,000–€16,000). For a Danish student residence permit, non-EU applicants must demonstrate financial means of at least DKK 5,800 per month (approximately €780) to cover living costs. Copenhagen is one of Scandinavia's more expensive cities — monthly living costs typically run DKK 7,000–10,000 (€940–€1,340). Denmark's Government Scholarships (administered by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education) are available to non-EU Master's students at select Danish universities and are worth researching early.
Key Application Deadlines
| University of Copenhagen | 1 March for September intake (most programs) |
|---|---|
| DTU | 15 January – 1 March (program dependent) |
| Copenhagen Business School | 15 March for September intake |
| Aarhus University | 1 March for September intake |
| Residence permit processing | 4–8 weeks — apply after receiving admission letter |
Watch Out For
Do not apply through optagelse.dk — that system is for Danish secondary school graduates only. International applicants must use each university's own international admissions portal.
Copenhagen has a severe housing shortage for students. University dormitory places are limited and allocated by lottery or waiting list. Register for student housing immediately after receiving your admission offer — do not wait.
Language test requirements are higher in Denmark than in many other Nordic countries. IELTS 6.5 (not 6.0) is the standard floor, and competitive programs may require 7.0.
Denmark's academic calendar runs on a strict two-semester model with defined course blocks. Late enrollment is typically not possible — arrival and registration must happen on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from students applying to study in Denmark
No — the KOT (Coordinated Enrollment) system at optagelse.dk is designed exclusively for Danish secondary school graduates (and a limited category of applicants holding a Danish upper secondary qualification). International applicants with foreign qualifications must apply directly to each Danish university through its own international admissions portal. Each university's website will have a dedicated section for international applicants with the correct application link.
Non-EU students pay tuition fees typically ranging from DKK 45,000 to 120,000 per year (approximately €6,000–€16,000), depending on the institution and program. Living costs in Copenhagen add roughly DKK 7,000–10,000 per month (€940–€1,340). EU/EEA students pay no tuition. Denmark offers government scholarships for non-EU students at select institutions — check the Danish Ministry of Higher Education's scholarship pages for current programs.
Danish universities are known for their emphasis on student independence, critical thinking, and project-based learning. Students are expected to take significant responsibility for their own learning, and the relationship between students and faculty is informal by European standards — professors are addressed by first name. Group project work is central to many programs, particularly at engineering and business schools. This approach produces graduates who are strong problem-solvers and collaborators, and it is reflected in Denmark's consistently high graduate employment rates.
Yes — Denmark has one of the highest proportions of English-taught programs in continental Europe. DTU teaches almost entirely in English. CBS offers many English Master's programs in business and economics. The University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University both have substantial English-medium program portfolios. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88 is the standard language requirement.
EU/EEA students have full work rights in Denmark. Non-EU students holding a Danish residence permit for study can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time during the months of June, July, and August. After graduation, students can apply for a 6-month job-seeking residence permit to find employment in Denmark.
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