DANISH EDUCATION

Education in Denmark is compulsory (undervisningspligt) for children below the age of  16. The public schooling and education system is financed by taxes.

Here is an overview of educational levels in Denmark:

  • Pre-school.
  • Primary and lower secondary education (age 6 to 16).
  • Upper secondary education (age 16 to 19).
  • Vocational education and training.
  • Higher education.
  • Adult learning.

Before starting pre-school, most children in Denmark benefit from day-care services such as nurseries and kindergarten. Pre-school, which is optional, is followed by nine years of compulsory education in primary and lower secondary school. The upper secondary education system consists of two types of programmes: a general education qualifying for access to higher education, and a vocational or technical education qualifying primarily for access to the labour market.

The higher education sector includes: Universities (research-based undergraduate and postgraduate programmes), University Colleges (professional Bachelor’s programmes), and Academies of Professional Higher Education (short-cycle higher education institutions offering Academy Profession and joint Bachelor’s degree programmes).

Adult education. The opportunities for lifelong learning in terms of adult education are many. They are offered at all levels. Individual courses are also offered under the Act on Open Education, either at college or university.