Tuition Free Universities in Denmark
Studying in Denmark offers the international students many opportunities for personal, academic or professional development. Students have the following options to choose from:
full degree programmeThe student follow a full-time study programme at undergraduate or postgraduate level and finish with a Danish award or a joint/double degree.
exchange/guest student programme Exchange students usually come to Denmark via an institutional, a bilateral or a multilateral exchange programme and follow courses of their own choice at the host institution for one or two semesters. They are also called ‘non-degree students’ because they finalise their studies at their home institution with transfer of credit for their studies in Denmark. Guest students are accepted on the same conditions as exchange students, but come from institutions with no cooperation agreement with the Danish host institution.
specially designed programmeSome institutions offer pre-designed semester packages, intensive programmes or other kinds of specially designed programmes for international students. The students, who follow these specially designed programmes, usually come to Denmark on exchange or guest student conditions.
summer university programmeSome universities offer courses during the summer holiday in a broad variety of disciplines and with the possibility for international students to choose as many courses as they like.
All programmes offer high quality education in a challenging study environment. Although the national language is Danish, international students will find plenty of programmes taught in English, and it is also fairly easy to live in the country with no prior knowledge of Danish as most Danes speak English.
Bachelor Degree programmes in DenmarkAt undergraduate level, three types of degrees are offered at different types of institutions – each with well-defined profiles and qualities. This gives the international students a great variety of study options depending on their interest; be they mainly research-oriented or of a more professional and applied character.
3 year bachelor degree programmes in all academic fields offered by the research universities
3-4 year professional bachelor programmes in field such as business, engineering, it nursing, education and social work offered by university colleges and higher education colleges. These institutions have a professional focus and combine theoretical studies with applied research and practical application in many different fields. Some are placed in the larger cities, others in more tranquil surroundings in smaller towns
2-year academy profession degrees in fields such as business, technology, multimedia, food industry, tourism etc offered by Academies of Professional Higher Education. They are fairly newly established mergers of smaller institutions with very strong linkages with the regional business and industry.
Master’s Degree ProgrammesDanish university education is rooted on a continental European university tradition based on the continuous cooperation between teaching and research. This is a particularly prevailing aspect at Master’s degree level. Master’s degree programmes are offered in all subject-areas be they in the more traditional academic subjects, in fields such as business, engineering, it or some of the new edge-cutting research fields as nano-technology, food science and environmental protection. At Master’s degree level, international students can choose from among around 100 programmes taught fully in English in all subject fields. Ph.D. programmes are usually always possible to follow in English.
The following options are available for international students:
2-year MSc or MA programmesAccess requirements are at least a bachelor degree of good standing, normally in the same or a nearby subject area as the master programme. Some universities also give international students the opportunity to complete studies in one year with a postgraduate diploma.
1-year Master degree programmes e.g. MBA programmes. Most of these Master’s degree programmes are part-time programmes allowing students to work while studying. A few are very intensive full time 1-year programmes.Access requirements are at least a bachelor degree of good academic standing and 2 –3 years of professional experience
3-year PhD programmesEntry requirement is a MSc or MA level degree.
Master’s degree programmes are offered by the 12 Danish research universities as well as by the 13 academics and specialist university level institutions in architecture, art and music.
Tuition and scholarshipsSo far tuition is free for undergraduate and MSc and MA studies. It is expected that from 2006 a tuition fee system will be introduced for international full degree students outside the EU/EEA countries. However, at the same time a national scholarship programme will be introduced. Institutional recognition/accreditation Nearly all higher education institutions in Denmark are public and are thereby subject to an overall state-regulation. Institutions have an extensive institutional autonomy, but they must at the same time abide by an overall framework of quality assurance, guaranteeing that all Danish universities live up to high national as well as international academic standards.
What is it like to study in Denmark? Danish higher education has a long academic tradition that combines excellence with a dynamic and innovative culture in research as well as in the teaching methods and learning environments.
High standards, institutional and personal commitment, interdisciplinary studies and project work are some of the characteristics of studying in Denmark. Apart from attending lectures, students work together in small groups, and they are expected to contribute actively to discussions and to be capable of working independently. The student’s own critical and analytical initiative is an important element of higher education in Denmark. For some international students this is a new way of studying, which most students find positive and challenging.
Student lifeIn general only a few Danish universities have campus-like facilities, so the campus-life that international students may know from their own or other countries, does not exist to the same degree in Denmark. However, this does not mean that the social life at the higher education institutions does not exist, on the contrary.
The social life at many institutions is vital and varied. Often there are several committees at the different institutes that organise activities, such as parties, cafés, excursions, student politics etc. Moreover, most higher education institutions also arrange sports activities that students can use if they sign up as a member.
Furthermore, many institutions have, as a special service to international students, established a student-to-student programme in order to make the international students feel at home more easily. On arrival, a “buddy” (a pre-enrolled student) will help the students get settled, meet other students and assist them with practical matters in their first weeks at the university. Attending the special introductory programmes and the courses in Danish language and culture are another opportunity for the international students to facilitate their stay and to meet other international and Danish students.
Philip Robinson, Ireland, Studying Religion and Gym in DenmarkI like the pace of life in Denmark, the cycles and the way of studying. The students learn to reflect upon their own choices, get detailed feedback and have to defend their projects at oral exams. This makes students more self-reliant and independent – and this is very positive.
Further information: Denmark and the Danish Society: www.denmark.dkStudying in Denmark: www.ciriusonline.dk/engWorking in Denmark: www.workindenmark.dk
Jette Kirstein jk@ciriusmail.dk