Denmark is one of the more popular study destinations in Europe. International students there are attracted by the well-renowned universities, affordable tuition fees, and welcoming attitude towards international students. In fact, Denmark is well-known for its buddy system—all international students will have a student greeting them upon their arrival. Danish universities definitely make an effort to help foreigners meet new friends, settle down in university, and experience the Danish lifestyle.
If you’re interested in pursuing undergraduate studies in Denmark, below is a guide on how to do it.
Application Requirements for Applying for Bachelor’s in Denmark
Below is a list of general admission requirements for aspiring applicants who wish to study for a bachelor’s in Denmark.
Qualifying Entrance Examination
A high school diploma is not enough to be qualified for Danish universities. You will need a qualifying entrance exam on top of your diploma for you to apply for bachelor’s program in Denmark.
Examples of common qualifying entry examinations include GCSEs, International Baccalaureates, AP tests, and many others. A full list of equivalents can be found here. Take note that some universities will prefer certain equivalents over others.
Proof of Nationality and Other Related Documents
This is to determine how much tuition fee you are required to pay. You can submit a copy of your passport, birth certificate, and residence permit as proof of your nationality.
Academic Transcripts
Academic transcripts are a comprehensive list of all courses you took in secondary and post-secondary school (if applicable). It is a common requirement when you apply for a bachelor’s program in Denmark. They should come with grades, a conversion table if the grading system is different from Denmark’s, and an official translation if not written in English or Danish.
Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students
Bachelor’s Degree Language Requirements for Denmark
All undergraduate programs in Denmark will require a certain degree of English language proficiency, equivalent to an ‘English B’ in the Danish school system. It is one of the major requirements that the universities are looking for applicants who wish to study bachelors in Denmark. During admissions, you will have to submit proof of this with language test results. The most common ones are IELTS and TOEFL.
Equivalents of English B vary across the board, so you should still check out language requirements at your preferred universities. However, rough equivalents of English B are a minimum score of 6.5 for IELTS, 550-583 for paper-based TOEFL, or 79-93 for internet-based TOEFL.
Additionally, certain programs will require an English A, which is a level higher than English B. This is roughly equivalent to a 7.0 in IELTS, 587-610 in paper-based TOEFL, or 94-101 in internet-based TOEFL.
Some universities will have applicants submit proof of this even if they come from a native English-speaking country.
If you’d prefer to study a course taught in Danish, you will need sufficient proficiency in both written and oral Danish. Depending on which university and course you’re applying to, this can be proven by passing Danish as a Foreign Language Test or Danish Examinations 2 or 3.
Alternatively, you can also learn Danish while studying as well! Luckily for international students, Danish language classes are free and can be taken in all universities across Denmark. We highly recommend you learn Danish as it enhances your experience as an international student.
How to Apply for Bachelor’s Programs in Denmark
The application process in Denmark is quite complicated, so definitely spend some time studying it beforehand. There are lots of resources out there for international students. You should browse through the web pages of the Danish Agency of Higher Education and Science and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science before the application period opens.
Here is a general guideline on the Danish application process:
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 very basic requirements you need for admission. Every applicant will need these. These will include your diploma, qualifying entrance exam, proof of nationality, and academic transcripts.
Specific entry requirements are specific to the course you’re applying for. Some courses may require a higher score in mathematics, sciences, history, and other subjects. To fulfill specific entry requirements, you can either take up these special subjects through your entry examination or supplement them with admission tests or post-secondary courses. Always check your university’s website for a list of specific entry requirements you must have before applying.
Lastly, language requirements are about your proficiency in English and/or Danish. As was already mentioned, you will need to submit proof of this during admission.
Both specific and language entry requirements differ by university. You should always check university websites for more detailed information on what entry requirements you need for each course. Here are four examples of Denmark’s top universities and their requirements:
2. Know What Quota You’re In
Depending on how good your application is, you will be divided into one of the two: Quota 1, or Quota 2.
Quota 1 are students who satisfy both general and specific entry requirements needed for the university and course. They will be assessed on their grade point average alone, and Danish universities will usually publish a list of minimum GPAs per course. Make sure that your GPA is higher than the minimum to increase your chances of getting admitted.
Quota 2, on the other hand, is for those unsure about their GPA and those who do not possess all general and specific entry requirements. You should choose this option to maximize your admission chances if your entry requirements fall a little short. Students who apply through Quota 2 may have to do aptitude tests, give written or oral interviews, and/or submit motivational essays.
3. Apply Through Optagelse
Optagelse is Denmark’s central enrollment system. All applicants who wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Denmark are required to sign in and apply through this system. This is where you can submit a joint application to a maximum of eight universities. This is a preference-based system, so you will be accepted to the highest priority course you are qualified for.
Start by creating a new account. If you do not have a Danish identification number, a constructed one will be sent to you in a confirmation email. Use that to log in and access the application form.
In this application form, you will fill in your personal details, entry qualifications, preferred courses and universities, quota, and required documents. You can come back to this application as many times as you’d like before making your final submission.
Optagelse will not be telling you what documents you need to submit. 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.
For a more detailed guideline on Optagelse, please refer here.
4. Give Permission to Access Your Application
After you create your application, you will need to print out a signature page. This is a document that permits your applied universities to access your application. If you do not submit a signature page, your application will not be processed. Print a document out for each university you applied for and sign it by hand.
Some universities will accept scanned copies, while others will only accept physical copies. A list of e-mail addresses of universities that do accept scanned copies can be found here. Submit your signature page by mail or e-mail by the date indicated on Optagelse.
You must submit both your final application form and signature page by the indicated deadline.
5. Attend Interviews or Aptitude Tests
If you’ve applied as a Quota 2 applicant, interviews and aptitude tests will usually be conducted after the application deadline. Interviews and aptitude tests are important phases of the application process. Hence, you must comply with these requirements in order for you to pass the application process of applying for a bachelor’s program in Denmark. Quota 2 slots tend to be very limited, so you must do your best to stand out from the other applicants. Refer to your applied university websites for scheduling matters and other helpful information for Quota 2 applicants.
You will hear back about your application by the end of July.
We hope that this article on Study Bachelor’s in Denmark was helpful. If you’re looking to study abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students.
