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Study in Denmark

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Universities in Denmark

Situated at the gateway between northern and western Europe, Denmark may be a relatively small country, but it's a heavyweight study destination. Several universities in Denmark are included in the QS World University Rankings.

Read more about Denmark’s top universities:

University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen is Denmark’s oldest institution and the second oldest in Scandinavia, after Uppsala University in Sweden. It’s home to around 38,500 students, including 3,500 international students, with four campuses, all of which are located in or around the capital Copenhagen. Most courses are taught in Danish, although there are a few in English and several in German.

Technical University of Denmark

Denmark’s first polytechnic institute, the Technical University of Denmark was founded in 1829 by the famous Danish physicist and chemist, Hans Christian Ørsted. Today, it’s one of Europe’s leading engineering institutions.

Its campus is located in Kongens Lyngby, a city just north of Copenhagen. The university’s official colors are red and gray, and it’s famous for its rugby and volleyball teams.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is the country’s second-oldest non-technical higher education institution. Founded in 1928, Aarhus University has expanded a lot since its creation and is currently the largest in Denmark.

Around 39,000 students are enrolled, studying a wide selection of different subjects. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II is among the institution’s most famous alumni, having studied political science here in the 1960s.

Aalborg University

Established in 1974, Aalborg University is home to over 20,000 students. It has three campuses, of which the main is in the city of Aalborg. The other two are in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Since 2007, the university has been divided into four faculties – Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering and Science, and Medicine. Aalborg University is a popular choice among international students, with over 15 percent of the university’s student body coming from outside of Denmark.

University of Southern Denmark

The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1998 after the merger between Odense University, Southern Denmark School of Business and Engineering, and South Jutland University Centre.

In 2006, the Business School Centre in Slagelse, the National Institute of Public Health and the Odense Teknikum were also incorporated into the institution.

Today, the university has seven campuses, located in Odense, Slagelse, Copenhagen, Kolding, Esbjerg and Sønderborg. More than 32,000 students are currently enrolled in the University of Southern Denmark, with almost 20 percent coming from abroad.

Student cities in Denmark

Frequently ranked among the countries with the highest quality of life and happiest populations, Denmark is known for its pretty cities, high-end cuisine (Copenhagen, in particular, is full of Michelin-starred eateries), innovative and cool designs, high-quality cinema (including the work of world-renowned filmmakers such as Lars von Trier and Susanne Bier) and attractive coastlines.

Find out more about what it's like to be a student in some of Denmark's major cities:

Copenhagen

Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, is one of the most celebrated cities in Europe. The heady combination of romantic spires and edgy new architecture, the vibrant and colourful cultural scene, innumerable cafés and bars, and the consistently high quality of life enjoyed by its residents all add to its appeal.

It’s not the cheapest place in the world to study, but it’s unlikely to set you back more than other capitals such as London or Paris.

As well as the University of Copenhagen, Denmark’s oldest and highest-ranked university, Copenhagen is also home to the Technical University of Denmark, as well as Copenhagen Business School and the IT University of Copenhagen.

Aarhus

An important port town located on the country’s main peninsula, Aarhus is Denmark’s second-largest city and is home to Aarhus University.

Like Copenhagen, it has a rich history and a stunning historical quarter, featuring not one but two 13th century cathedrals, as well as a rich cultural scene and plenty of nightlife, courtesy of its large student population.

Odense

Located on the island of Funen, which sits between the main peninsula Jutland and the largest island Zealand, Odense is Denmark’s third most populous city.

It’s noteworthy for being the birthplace of famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, known for his innovative fairy tales, and is also rich in Viking-era history. You can see the skeleton of Saint Canute, the country’s patron saint, on display in the city’s historic cathedral.

University-wise, Odense is the location of the main campus of the University of Southern Denmark, and this relatively small city is infused with the vibrant life of its large student population.

Aalborg

An industrial city towards the north of Jutland, Aalborg is home to Aalborg University. Combining historical architecture with a more industrial and contemporary feel, one of Aalborg’s major attractions is Jomfru Ane Gade – a long street which is the centre of the city’s thriving café culture and nightlife.

The waterfront area has recently been redeveloped, and the city also has a major concert venue – Musikkens Hus. Aalborg is also home to the largest carnival in Northern Europe, held annually in May.

Applying to study in Denmark

Applications to study in Denmark should be made directly to each Danish university you’re interested in. Various online resources are available (including this site run by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science), to help you find out what your secondary qualifications equate to in the Danish system.

Depending on your country of origin and grades, a supplementary year of study may be required. The Study in Denmark website also contains detailed information on how to apply.

You’ll need to prove you are fluent in the language of tuition, with the level depending on the course and university to which you are applying – as ever, check with the institution.

Student visa requirements vary according to whether or not you are from an EU/EEA country. Citizens of other Nordic countries are treated as if they were Danish citizens.