Want to study in Denmark? Here's a collection of tips and tricks:

Academic System

There are three types of institutions offering higher education, each with well-defined profiles and qualities.
Academies of professional higher education offer 2-year academy profession programmes in fields such as business, technology, and IT. They combine theoretical studies with a practically oriented approach and are usually completed with a project of 3 months' duration.
Specialised colleges and centres for higher education/university colleges offer 3-4 year professional bachelor programmes in fields such as business, education, engineering and nursing. Theoretical studies, practical training through work placements and a bachelor project are always part of the programme.
The universities have a commitment to teach and do research at the highest international level. Some are multi-faculty institutions covering many disciplines and some are specialised in specific fields.
Universities offer Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes: 3-year bachelor programmes (BSc/BA) followed by 2-year candidatus programmes (MSc/MA) and 3-year PhD programmes. A bachelor programme qualifies for occupational functions and further studies, and most students continue in a candidatus programme.
The candidatus programmes must include one or two of the major fields of study of the bachelor programme. Independent research activities and a Master's Thesis (equivalent to 6 months of full time study) are required. The candidatus programmes qualify students for occupational functions and scientific work.
The PhD degree is obtained after 3 years of research, participation in research courses, teaching and completion and public defense of a dissertation.

Admission

General admission requirements to higher education are one of the upper secondary school leaving examinations or comparable qualifications. Many three to four-year VET programmes also qualify for certain types of higher education. Admission may also depend on specific requirements such as a specific subject combination in upper secondary school or a certain level of grades.

Tuition and scholarships

Studying is generally free for all EU/EEA students as well as for students participating in an exchange programme. From 2006 all other students have to pay a tuition fee.

For full degrees or part of a degree

The Danish Ministry of Education has launched a new scholarship programme for students from non-EU/EEA countries. Scholarships and tuition fee waivers are available for high performing students enrolling in certain study programmes under The Danish Ministry of Education.
Some universities and educational institutions have their own scholarships. Contact the institution when you apply for admission.
In addition, it is possible to apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to do a master's degree partly at a Danish and partly at another European educational institution.
Students from Latin America may apply for an Alban scholarship.

Exchange/guest students

Your possibilities as an exchange/guest student depend on your home institution and the chosen exchange agreement:
o If you are studying in a European country participating in the Socrates/Erasmus and Leonardo da Vinci programmes, you can apply for special exchange and mobility grants at the institution in your own country.
o If you are studying in the Nordic countries and certain European countries outside the EU you can apply for grants via Nordplus and Tempus.
o If you are studying in countries outside the EU you should seek information about grants and scholarships at your educational institution in your own country.
o If your home country has a bilateral agreement with Denmark, it is moreover possible for non-Danish students and researchers to apply for a number of Danish governmental scholarships.
Furthermore, there are several other opportunities for grants and scholarships. E.g. American students may apply for a Fulbright scholarship, please see the website of The Denmark-American Foundation and the Fulbright Commission.
Students from the EU as well as outside the EU can find links to several scholarship programmes at the EU-database Ploteus.
Finally, PhD students and researchers are advised to look at The Researcher's Mobility Portal for information on scholar programmes.

Bachelor's, Master's and PhD Programmes

Danish universities are rooted in a continental European university tradition based on the continuous integration of education and research. They offer study programmes of high academic standards from undergraduate to the highest postgraduate levels.

Apart from the academic admission requirements, English language skills must usually be documented by a high score in a TOEFL or an IELTS test.

Assured quality

All Danish universities are approved by the state, and study programmes are subject to internal as well as external quality assurance procedures guaranteeing the academic standards. In addition, several institutions choose to have their programmes accredited by internationally recognised accreditation agencies.
More information about the programmes: www.studyindenmark.dk

Excellence and creativity

Danish higher education has a long academic tradition that combines excellence with a dynamic and innovative culture in research as well as in teaching methods and learning environments.
High academic standards, active study environments, interdisciplinary studies and project-based activities are some of the characteristics of studying in Denmark.
Apart from attending lectures, students work together in groups where each member is expected to contribute actively to discussions as well as be capable of working independently. The student's own critical and analytical initiative is a very important element of higher education in Denmark.
The buildings at most Danish Institutions of higher education are modern and hold excellent up-to-date facilities such as libraries, lecture-, class- and study rooms, labs, IT, canteens etc. Computers are available at the libraries, in computer rooms and, at some institutions, even in the corridors - all students have free access to these facilities. The libraries are public, thus, all students can borrow books, tapes, language learning materials and the like for free. Denmark invests large sums in education. Public expenditure on education amounts to 8 pct of the GDP, making Denmark the number one in the world. The number of Nobel Prizes per capita is the third highest in the world (The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2004, IMD).

English - no problem!

Danish universities, colleges and other institutions of higher education welcome international teachers and students - be they exchange students or degree students.
You can choose between more than 1,000 individual courses and more than 130 study programmes taught in English. Some institutions also organize intensive summer programmes.
As most Danes speak English, you will find it easy to live in Denmark even though you do not speak any Danish. Approximately 80% of the population speaks English and many speak French, German or Spanish. When you go shopping, use public transportation and visit official buildings etc. you will find that you can manage well by using English. Furthermore, foreign films are in their original version, having Danish subtitles - in cinema as well as in television.

A gateway to Europe

Denmark is located in the Northern part of Europe called Scandinavia. Denmark is north of Germany, south of Norway and southeast of Sweden. This geographic position makes Denmark an excellent gateway for those, who want to explore more of Europe and Scandinavia.
Denmark's infrastructure is well developed. The railway is extensive, the roads are of high standards and have a large capacity in terms of traffic load. The aviation system is among the most developed in the world and has connections to most of the big international airports in the world.
For instance, you can fly to capitals like Amsterdam, Berlin and Stockholm in an hour, and, in less than two hours, you can go all the way to Paris, London, Dublin and Prague, to mention a few.
Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland and of 406 island. The two largest and most densely populated islands are Zealand and Funen. There is a bridge connecting Jutland and Funen, the Little Belt Bridge. And one of the longest bridges in the world, goes from Funen to Zealand, the Great Belt Bridge. The Oresund Bridge, between Denmark and Sweden, connects the two neighbouring countries.

A safe and modern society

Denmark is the oldest monarchy in the world, yet it is today a modern welfare society and has virtually abolished social classes and the differences between rich and poor are small.
The principle behind the Danish welfare society, known as "the Scandinavian welfare model", is that all citizens have access to social benefits.
Denmark has an open economy and trade with the rest of the world is of great importance. It is a modern, knowledge-based society with an increasing post-industrial service economy. In The Economist Intelligence Unit annual e-readiness ranking, Denmark was number one in 2004 and 2005.
Foreigners who have visited Denmark often mention security and safety as the country's most distinctive features. Children walk to school on their own. It is not uncommon to see ministers riding their bikes in Copenhagen. Even the Queen can go shopping with a minimum of security.
This image of the safe environment is confirmed by the statistics, which show that Denmark has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
For further information about the political system and Danish society: www.workindenmark.dk and www.ft.dk (The Danish parliament and political system).

Hygge - a unique Danish feature

Hygge is an important element of the Danish mentality. The term is difficult to translate, but it is often, inadequately, translated as cosiness. Yet, it is much more than that.
Uncomplicated, unexaggerated and informal are some of the ingredients in hygge. It is closely associated with having a good time together with friends or family and with eating and drinking. It may include a long dinner at home with a group of friends who know each another well. It may be a good time at the "fredagsbar". In can be going out with some few friends for a cup of coffee on a Sunday afternoon. In may be listening to music, playing board games or just watching a TV-program together.
The term hygge is widely used and connected with different situations. For instance you can have a hygge-evening and a hygge-weekend. You can have a hygge-chat and you can even sit in a hygge-corner.
Hyggelig is the adjective for hygge and is used about many things. A person can be described as hyggelig, a café and a town - especially if it is a small town - can be hyggelig. Furniture for instance a sofa can be hyggelig and candlelight are definitely hyggelige.
Hygge is all about feeling comfortable in a friendly atmosphere. It is impossible to stay in Denmark for long without experiencing hygge.
For more information, www.studyindenmark.dk