Posted by : Shreya Bhattacharjee
Author Designation : Senior Counselor (Kolkata)
Study in Denmark
Many students opt to study in Europe once their school or college is complete. Out of all European countries, Denmark is one of the most preferred due to its safe, secure and happy environment. Every year approximately 18,000 international students apply to a University in Denmark. Denmark is known as the country with the happiest people - ever since the inception of the UN’s World Happiness Report in 2012, where Denmark has thus far ranked first (almost) every single time. Denmark is a small but proud nation of 5.6 million in Northern Europe. With its coasts on the Northern and the Baltic Sea, it borders Germany in the South and - via sea and bridge - Sweden in the East.
In Denmark, old-world Nordic charm meets an avowedly forward-looking society – the nation regularly ranks on lists of most livable, safest and happiest places on earth thanks to its high quality of life and per capita income, as well as its advanced education, health care and civil liberties. Undertaking an education in Denmark places you right in the center of this socially developed utopia.
Denmark is consistently featured on the list of top 10 countries in Europe to study abroad, especially when it comes to the personal development opportunities and the access to higher quality teaching.
- Benefits of studying in Denmark
1. Quality education
Denmark has no natural resources to speak of, so knowledge is our largest export. This means that Danish education is of high quality and focus on innovation, creativity, analytical and critical thinking. Teaching is based on the newest research and at VIA, we are specialised in sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship and international outlook.
2. Innovation
Denmark is in the top of the most innovative economies in the world due to an open, state-of-the-art research system and intellectual assets. Denmark is especially well-known for its achievements in design, architecture, sustainable solutions and pharmaceuticals. In addition, Denmark is one of the world’s most digitalised countries.
3. Informal setting
The learning environment at universities in Denmark is characterised by a high degree of informality. Teaching is friendly and relaxed and lecturers are open to critical questions and debates during class – in fact, they often encourage it. You get to meet your teacher at eye level and are expected to participate actively in your own education. Unlike in most other countries around the world, it is the norm to address your lecturer by their first name.
4. International and diverse environment
Because Denmark is a small country, the Danes and Danish education are internationally oriented, placing great emphasis on equipping students to meet the needs of a globalised labour market. For example, by offering study programmes or elective courses in English, mixing Danish and international students in classes to encourage them to learn from each other.
At VIA, it is also possible to do projects and assignments with students from our partnering universities around the world, collaborate with international businesses or take your internship abroad.
5. Affordable tuition
In Denmark, education is paid by taxes. This means that colleges and universities are free and accessible to all residents. This includes residents from the EU and EEA countries if they fulfil the requirements. Learn more about tuition fees at VIA here.
6. Safe and organized
Denmark is considered a very safe country, has very low crime rates and is among the least corrupt countries in the World. There is a high level of respect for the common good, while at the same time providing a high degree of freedom for the individual to make his or her own choices. Other principal values are equal opportunities for everyone, respect and tolerance.
When you first come to Denmark, you will probably notice that everything takes place in a very orderly fashion and runs smoothly. Queuing systems for everything from the bakery to pharmacies and public citizen services, the buses and trains are on time and so on.
- Top universities in Denmark
1. Technical University of Denmark
Located 15 kilometres north of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) stands at the forefront of engineering institutions across the European continent, having merged with five other research centres in 2007.
Undergraduate courses are taught in either Danish or English, with degrees such as a BSc in general engineering offered in English.
The master’s programme with a focus on modern engineering is also taught entirely in English. The university offers courses in conversational Danish alongside its degrees and strives to find accommodation for all of its foreign exchange students.
Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Henrik Pontoppidan attended the university when it was still a polytechnic. In more recent years, attendees have included Andreas Mogensen, the first Dane to fly in space, and Danish international footballer Ebbe Sand.
Aarhus is a city on the east coast of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula and the university campus is located in the city centre.
As well as being a leading research institution, Aarhus is a university well known for its arts subjects.
There are more than 60 courses taught in English at Aarhus at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. A Danish green-card programme allows international students to stay in Denmark up to six months after the end of their degree, and Aarhus has a dedicated job bank established to help graduates find a job in their field in this time.
The University of Copenhagen has a campus in the centre of Denmark’s thriving capital city.
While many courses at the university are taught in Danish, English courses are also on offer for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of fields, from experimental medicine to theology.
The university is an established research centre, which belongs to the prestigious International Alliance of Research Universities, a network of research-intensive institutions which also includes Yale University.
The university operates on a credits system, giving students the opportunity to take new courses in different schools each semester, so students here have more flexibility than they would, for example, in the United Kingdom.
- Nordplus: Nordplus may offer the possibility to study in another Nordic or Baltic country as part of your degree.
- Erasmus: It offers students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland the option to study abroad as part of their higher education in their home countries. Exchange range from between 2 and 12 months.
- Erasmus Mundus/Joint Master Degree: It is open to both EU/EEA and non-EU/EAA students to study specific master's programs.
- Fulbright Denmark: An American scholar or postgraduate student at a master's or Ph.D.-level can apply for a Fulbright grant for an entire academic year of study and/or research in Denmark.
Not eligible for Danish government scholarship if:
v You are seeking admission to an Artistic Higher Education Institution.
v You are a student who is eligible for a grant by Danish Law regarding the State Education Fund.
v The aspirant has a legal claim to the rights of Danish citizens.
v The student has been granted a residence permit at the time of admission by the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act §9c, subsection 1, as the child of a foreign citizen who has been granted a residence permit in accordance with the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act §9m, and who is a citizen of a country that is not acceded to the EU or covered by the EEA agreement.
- Job market for students
While political developments in recent years have made it slightly more difficult, it is still anything but impossible for non-European nationals to stay to live and work in Denmark after their graduation. Especially in Copenhagen, there is a strong presence of internationals across industries. While not necessarily a prerequisite, solid Danish - or knowledge of another Scandinavian language, for that matter - is always a plus when competing with local applicants, so make sure to attend language courses while studying there.
Accommodation represents around one third of your monthly living costs in Denmark. You should expect to pay between 400 – 670 EUR in most cities and around 800 – 900 EUR in Copenhagen.
If you start looking for housing early, you may be able to find places for 250 EUR/month in housing outside the city.
Main accommodation options for students in Denmark:
- Students living alone – 450 EUR/month
- Students living with their partner/a colleague – 500 EUR/month
- Student halls of residence (kollegier) – between 250 - 300 EUR/month
You might find it very difficult to find accommodation right before the semester begins. That’s why you should start exploring your options months before you move to Denmark. This allows you to compare different locations and prices and not make a rushed decision. Another benefit of choosing a place earlier is that you won’t have to deal with the stress of not knowing where you’ll live.
Transportation costs
In Denmark, almost 50% of students use bikes to get to their university, while 30% use public transport. A monthly public transport pass for the bus, metro or train amounts to 40 – 50 EUR/month.
Denmark, and particularly Copenhagen, are the heaven of bikes, presumably outnumbering people. So you can always rent a bike and enjoy cycling through the city.
You must submit the student visa application to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). The application process for a Denmark student visa includes these steps:
- Create case order ID on the SIRI website.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Gather the required documentation.
- Complete the application form.
- Submit the visa application.
- Register your biometrics at a Danish diplomatic mission.
- Receive an answer.
Conclusion
If all these facts about Denmark sound enticing to you, you can start preparing your application for a Bachelors’ or Masters’ program in Denmark. To make this process simple and quick, you can avail the expertise of VIDYAXCEL.
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