All you need to know if you want to study in Denmark

A future in Denmark sounds enticing, but you don’t know what the necessary steps are? EDMUNDO is here to offer you free counselling in the admission process for studies in Denmark.

Denmark is a country with a relatively small population, which is why the largest urban centers are Copenhagen, Aarhus and Aalborg. Besides these, the rest of the cities are smaller, regional localities, where the variety of places for fun, culture and work is replaced with a more quiet environment, enhanced security and a quite close community.

EDMUNDO Counsellors are prepared to clarify your concerns and to answer even the questions you have not yet even asked yourself, helping you gain admission into the study programme of your choice and build the future that you dream.

Education system in Denmark

Just like in Greece, Danish pupils receive at the end of the three-year high school a graduation certification through which they can apply to the higher education system in research-based universities or in professional academies, which are highly practical . The good news?

Access to all education levels in Denmark is FREE of tuition fees for all EU students!

Bachelor’s Studies

In Denmark, there are two types of higher education institutions, both of which have 0 tuition fees for EU students: Universities and Academies/Colleges.

Universities focus heavily on research and aim at providing a solid theoretical training of the student. The first level of studies within a university is represented by Bachelor’s studies, with a duration of 3 - 3.5 years. Once a Bachelor’s programme is completed, studies can be continued with a Master and, eventually, a PhD.

The Academies/Colleges aim to provide the best possible practical training of their students, which is why they include minimum one work internship per academic cycle. They target those who want to become employed or start their own business as soon as possible after finishing their studies. The Academies and Colleges offer 2 types of study programmes:

• AP Degree (Academic Professional Degree) lasting 2 - 2.5 years (including 1 semester of internship), followed by a Top-Up of 1 - 1.5 years (including 1 semester of internship), thus granting the holder the title of Professional Bachelor Degree (alongside 1 full year of practical experience during the 2 internships);

This type of education is the gateway to an entry or middle level career within a Danish company. The study program contributes to the student's professional training so that it can respond to the needs of the labor market and adapt to any organizational environment. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Moreover, companies are actively involved in student projects by even evaluating student work.

• Uninterrupted programmes lasting 3 - 3.5 years (including 1 semester of internship) granting the holder the title of Professional Bachelor Degree.

What is the difference? For the first scenario, after 2 - 2.5 years of an AP Degree, the graduate can already start working in the field or take a break from studies in order to pursue later the 1 - 1.5 years Top Up. The Top Up can be attended either at the same Academy or within another. A person can also do a Top Up in the UK or the Netherlands, for instance. An uninterrupted Bachelor’s programme that lasts 3 - 3.5 consecutive years will have to be attended without a break.

What’s unique about the educational philosophy of the Danish Academies? The above-mentioned AP Degree represents an intermediate level designed by the Danish education system to meet the labour market needs. When the market lacks certain categories of professionals, that is the moment when a new AP Degree is born. The purpose is that after two years of academic and practical training in such Academies or Colleges, a graduate can easily cope with the demands of entry and middle level jobs in the chosen field. The programmes taught in Academies and Colleges focus on practical aspects – analyses, projects and case studies. Thus, the student can reach faster a more practical approach of the chosen field. Often companies are involved in a number of academic projects carried out by Academies and Colleges. In this way, through internships, the students can be naturally engaged in the development of projects or real-life situations, specific to a corporate environment.

Therefore, the choice of programmes either from the Danish Universities or Academies depends heavily on the candidate’s plans. If he or she wants to gain employment rapidly after graduation, then Academies or Colleges are recommended. If the candidate has a genuine interest in research, then an undergraduate programme from a University is a wise choice.

Either way, the quality of the Danish education system, focused primarily on practice while being also free of charge for the European Union citizens are aspects that attract yearly many students to move to Denmark. These two elements make the Nordic education system extremely competitive and a natural choice when it comes to higher education. Moreover, each class of students enrolled at a Danish institution is mixed; this means that individuals of different nationalities are working together and attending lectures at once as to create a multicultural learning environment.

What are the entry requirements? The minimum requirement for applications for undergraduate programmes is the Apolytirion certificate and a recognized English certificate. Pan-hellenics are not formally required, but students will have more chances if they also have the Pan-hellenic exam as they will be considered through both Quota 1 and Quota 2. If students only take the Apolytirion, then they will only be considered for Quota 2.  Quota 1 only assesses grades but more places are offered, while Quota 2 assesses other qualifications as well but fewer seats are offered.

Master’s Studies:

Upon completion of the Bachelor's degree, students can continue their studies within the same or a different institution within the Master's programme, lasting from 1 to 2 years. Graduates of academies who want to continue onto Master’s must take certain electives during the Bachelor’s years in order to achieve a higher number of ECTS credits and be eligible.

Due to the reduced number of places that universities have available for master studies, the Danish universities primarily accept students who graduated within their own programmes and not in Academies. On the other hand, very few of those who initially chose an Academy are tempted to apply for a Master’s, being rather more interested into starting up their own business or gaining employment right after graduation.

EDMUNDO can help you with the entire admissions process for the following English-taught Master programmes:

1. Aarhus University - http://www.au.dk/en/

MASTER

Faculty of Science and Technology

Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering (MSc in Engineering) (EN)

Civil and Architectural Engineering (MSc in Engineering) (EN)

Computer Engineering (MSc in Engineering) (EN)

Computer Science (EN)

Electrical Engineering (MSc in Engineering) (EN)

Mechanical Engineering (MSc in Engineering) (EN)

2. University of Southern Denmark - https://www.sdu.dk/en/

MASTER

MSc in Engineering - Mechatronics

MSc in Engineering - Software Engineering

Electronics (Master of Science in Engineering) – Odense

Electronics (Master of Science in Engineering) – Sønderborg

Innovation and Business (Master of Science in Engineering)

The application at the Danish universities - simpler than you think

The application consists of a file that must include several mandatory documents for access to studies such as:

• Transcript of grades – up to present
• High school diploma/Bachelor diploma – can be submitted later when it is obtained
• English certificate – IELTS/CAE/TOEFL/Oxford Placement Test – free online English test
• ID – scanned

For Bachelor applications, depending on chosen university, other documents such as personal statement, reference, CV and verification form might be necessary.

For Master applications students are also required to submit a detailed course description of their finished and ongoing courses.

The costs of a student in Denmark

Accommodation / rent

The cost of rent in Denmark is between 2500-4000 DKK per month. 1 DKK or 1 Crown Danish is €0.13, so living in Denmark will cost you between 350-550 €. As far as the home furnishing is concerned, you have to reserve a separate budget for the purchase of necessary furniture from IKEA or JYSK, or you can use the more affordable second-hand option in profile stores and other students.

Transport

If you are a comfortable type of person and prefer to travel by bus, the cost of the transport subscription is DKK 300 / month (€40) and the cost of a valid ticket for 2 zones is DKK 12 (€1.73). On the other hand, if you like to spend time in nature and move at the same time, you can rent a bicycle at the price of DKK 30 (€4), since Denmark is famous for its facilities available to cyclists. For exceptional situations where you are in a hurry to get to your destination you have the option to go by taxi, the cost of 1 km being DKK 33 (~€4.42).

Internet and phone subscription

If you’re already thinking about how you are going to keep in touch with your loved ones and your new friends, rest assured knowing that you can have an Internet subscription at DKK 200 / month (€26) and a card which costs between 50-100 DKK / month (€6-13) for a space-free or time-limited communication.

The cost of your everyday life in Denmark

Along with rent, telephone, internet or transport, you will also have food costs in Denmark, and they depend on every person's eating habits, ranging from 1,000 DKK - 2,000 DKK / month (€150-250). For example, a simple shopping list consisting of the following:  1l milk (3 DKK - 5 DKK); 1 loaf (6 DKK - 10 DKK); a juice (10 DKK - 15 DKK); a coffee (14 DKK - 25 DKK); a beer (20 DKK - 35 DKK) and a sandwich (DKK 15 - DKK 20) will cost you in the end about DKK 80 (10 €).

Sources of financing

The Danish courses schedule will also allow you to have a part-time job where you have the chance to learn new things, to meet new people and especially to earn money, the minimum income for one hour being €13-15. Opting for a part-time job allows you to access the State Educational Grant Scheme (SU) for €700-900 per month, which will give you the peace of mind to enjoy your new student experience.

Lifestyle in Denmark

Denmark is known as a cheerful country and ranks consistently in the podium of quality of life! So the positive energy of its inhabitants will catch up with you. You will be able to spend your free time in Danish cafes, make new friends at the university’s campuses, you’ll get inspired from the information found libraries, visit places of unique beauty, enjoy the general hygge and become your better version day by day.

Until when can I apply in Denmark?

The deadline for submitting your application is: March 15^th - after this date the Bachelor’s programmes will be closed, while for Master’s programme the deadline is March 1^st!

Suddenly studies in Denmark no longer seem an impossible dream, right?

Contact your EDMUNDO counsellor to discuss about study programmes, entry requirements and the entire admission process.