Danish institutions. Higher education in Denmark. Where to learn the language

Education system in Denmark

Official name: Kingdom of Denmark

Geographical position: located in Western Europe on the Jutland peninsula and the islands of the Danish archipelago. Area 44.5 thousand square meters. km.

Population: 5.356 million

Capital: Copenhagen (with suburbs - more than 1.5 million inhabitants)

National composition: about 98% - Danes, 50 thousand Germans, 20 thousand Swedes, 10 thousand Norwegians. Denmark also has small Turkish, Somali, Ethiopian and Pakistani communities.

Official language: Danish.

Denmark is a hereditary constitutional monarchy and the oldest kingdom in the world.

Denmark is a country of picturesque villages and cities, historical castles and monuments. The coastline varies from delightful wide sandy beaches to small bays and neat fjords. There are cool shady beech forests, vast steppe areas, beautiful lakes, dunes and white cliffs. Wherever you go, views of the open sea will accompany you everywhere. Any city in Denmark is located at a distance of no more than 50 km from the sea.

In Denmark, every season is unique. Spring and summer are a bright period when all nature comes to life. The autumn forest is painted with variegated flowers. And during dark winters, the Danes spend a lot of time in their cozy homes, lighting candles and lighting open wood-burning fireplaces. December is a particularly magical time of the year, with many Christmas markets recreating the old Yuletide atmosphere.

Denmark is a miniature magical country, and much here seems to be a toy. Many are surprised that the famous Little Mermaid is no larger than an ordinary person. Andersen's house seems tiny too, although upon entering it, you'll find it's bigger than meets the eye.

And at the same time it is a highly developed industrial country, the standard of living of its population is one of the highest in the world. In terms of GDP, Denmark is second only to Japan and Sweden. In the 20th century, thanks to the adoption of many social laws, Denmark turned into a model of the modern "welfare" state. According to international studies, the Danes top the list of the world's most self-satisfied nations.

Students tend to choose Denmark for its excellent educational institutions, as well as for its rich life in its cities, especially Copenhagen. Copenhagen is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. Its unique culture, architecture, theatre, cinema, and nightlife offer students the opportunity to have fun and enjoy themselves. Copenhagen is a young city with the highest per capita income in the world. Nevertheless, the people of Copenhagen have managed to maintain simplicity and a sense of togetherness.

The Danes are friendly people. Although on the surface they seem cold and impassive, they are not. They will always smile when talking with a guest. Moreover, the Dane will help in every possible way, even if he does not have an extra free minute and business awaits him. He won't say a word about it, as if he has plenty of time.

The Danes call their state snobbishly - "welfare state" (welfare state). The Danes look at the world around them with confidence that if they have not created a perfect society, then at least they have come closer to it than other nations ... Researchers from the University of Cambridge recognized the inhabitants of Denmark as the happiest in Europe, the Daily Mail newspaper writes.

The Danes are perhaps one of the most law-abiding peoples in the world. Police intervention in the peaceful life of citizens is a rare phenomenon. The police are respected and feared.

They are incredibly slow and good-natured. They live surprisingly well and not stressed at all.

Despite such external constraint, isolation and even, it may seem, limitedness, the Danes are very refined.

The Danish sense of humor suffers greatly from the fact that the Danes take everything literally and from their habit of conformity.

The Danes are not whimsical. They are content with what they have and do not demand more. Asceticism is manifested in everything: in appearance, in clothes, housing, outlook on life, deeds. Being too poor or too rich is considered indecent.

The whole system is based on high income taxes - about 50%. Thus, the state acts as an insurance company. By investing money in the state through the payment of taxes, the Danes rely on the fact that this money will return to them in the event of misfortune or unemployment. In addition, the money is directed to various social needs.

The Danes are generally characterized by groupthink and collectivism. It is believed that this Danish trait is the main guarantee of their national success. Since childhood, little Danes have been told: “you are the same as everyone else, you are no better than your comrades, you are not a warrior alone in the field, do not have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends,” and so on.

In Denmark, most women gravitate towards feminism. Their morality contains the idea: they are not obliged to do what men should and can like. Therefore, the Danes do not really take care of themselves. Feminism in Denmark is militant, which is why Danish women are in no hurry to get married.

In the mornings, even in the cold, the Danes run along the alleys. It seems that running is the national sport of Denmark, because they run in droves, despite age and gender differences. Another sport can be called a bicycle, because residents ride it around the clock, even to visit or to work. The Danes are also fond of sailing.

The Danes love to cooperate with each other. The Danes cooperate not only with colleagues, but also with their rivals, because joint work is perceived as useful in any way.

Of the 5.3 million people living in Denmark, only a little over 400 thousand are officially married, while the number of people living in family relationships in total is about 2.9 million people. Being married for the Danes is unprincipled - the situations of "single mother" or "single father" are quite common. Only about 650,000 Danes live in families with children.

Attitude towards children is reverent. The Danes believe that a child is already a person. His opinion is listened to. They love to talk with children, discuss something, ask questions. The basic parenting style is reminiscent of permissiveness.

The Danish education system (shown in the figure) has been in operation since 1994. It gives complete control to parents - they decide whether the child goes to school or not! The law provides for compulsory education from 7 to 16 years of age, but not compulsory school attendance. Obtaining compulsory (Special) education - free of charge. Compulsory education period: from August 1 of the year the child turns 7 to July 31 of the year the child completes 9th grade. Note: Kindergarten and Year 10 are optional.

Most of the funding for private education institutions comes from government budget allocations. Despite this and the fact that there is a fairly extensive network of private schools available, only 12% of children attend private secondary schools and only 4.5% private gymnasiums. That is: the cost of private education is quite high. The following types of private educational institutions are permitted by law:

· Kindergartens.

·Secondary schools.

· Of the general higher secondary schools - only gymnasiums.

As you can see, private higher education institutions are banned.

Financial Aid for Higher Education

The system for providing grants and loans was formed in 1988. It can be used by all Danes who wish to study in higher education courses. The system is called: "Voucher". If translated: "Coupon". The principle is as follows:

· Each student enrolled in a higher education course receives 70 vouchers, which they can spend at their discretion.

· Each voucher is equal to 1 month of training.

· Students can choose to use their vouchers for a complete higher education (approximately 58 months + 12) or for a series of short courses.

· If the period of study (for example, a student began to prepare for a Master or Doctor of Science) is more than 58 months, then additional vouchers + 12 months will be issued to him.

· If a student completes one course and transfers to another with unused vouchers, they will be awarded a state grant.

Students also receive great discounts on transport, including for trips to other European countries.

The doctorate, in principle, is paid by the applicant himself. At this stage, there is no sufficient material support from the state.

The financing of kindergartens, the planning of the number of places, the administration is done by the municipalities. The law says that every child must have a place in a kindergarten if his parents so desire.

Kindergartens are open all year round, except weekends and national holidays, from 7 am to 5-6 pm.

There are several types of kindergartens:

- Nursery: for children from 6 months to 3 years of age. Usually: 30-60 children.

- Kindergartens: for children from 3 to 6/7 years of age. Usually: 40-80 children.

- Extended kindergartens: for all age groups. Usually: up to 150 children.

- Municipal childcare groups: By contract with the municipality, individuals have the right to supervise children in groups of 5-10 children.

It should be noted that only 15% of Danish children under the age of 2 go to nursery and almost half of the children aged 3 to 6 attend kindergarten.

Oddly enough, the Danes devote little time to raising children. The fact is that young parents are forced to work from early morning until evening, while the child spends much less time in a nursery, kindergarten or school.

Particular attention is paid to the upbringing of children by the state. From the early grades of the school, children are explained what alcohol, drugs are, and what harm all this can bring to a person. To work with difficult children and problem families, the efforts of three institutions were combined - the police, social authorities and schools.

The education of personal responsibility begins at a very early age. Danish children are brought up with tales of a bear cub, a chicken and a duckling, who regularly face the challenges of personal versus social good. The TV program shows how all these friends are having fun, so the children are convinced that responsibilities to society are not too burdensome. Adults also watch such programs, not so much for the morality contained there, but for the pleasure of seeing how three adults dress up in bulky fur suits, puff and hiss, running through the forest, at the same time trying to sing in chorus and not fall down from overheating.

A child goes to school from the age of six, and before this age, learning to read or write is not encouraged (let the children play as long as age allows).

At the age of 6, most children start in a kindergarten class, which is voluntary. The preparatory class is designed more to accustom children to school than to systematic education.

Preparing for high school in Denmark

According to the Social Services Consolidation Act (Section 7), municipalities are required to maintain the number of classes at a level sufficient for all students in the district, and transportation must be provided for all children if the distance to school is more than 2.5 km.

Preparatory classes are not included in the compulsory education system and are attended on a voluntary basis.

Preparatory classes work at secondary schools. Children from 6/7 years of age are accepted. Teachers are free to choose the program and methods of teaching children. The indicative lesson plan is given by the municipality and the teachers' council supervises the work of the teachers. There are no formal classes or lessons, everything is built on games and various activities that increase interest in classes and learning new things.

Classes in preparatory classes are held 200 days a year. The beginning of the academic year is from the 2nd Monday of August to the 3rd Friday of June. Saturday and Sunday are days off. Vacation and holidays schedule:

- Summer holidays - 7 weeks (from the 3rd Friday of June to the 2nd Monday of August).

- Autumn holidays - 1 week in October.

- Christmas - 2 weeks.

- Winter holidays - 1 week (mid-February).

- Easter holidays - 7 days, excluding Sundays.

- 3 days of holidays between Easter and Summer holidays.

The duration of the lessons is 45 minutes.

Classes are open from 7 am to 5-6 pm. The minimum number of lessons is 20 weekly, which are taught from 8-9 am until noon. The rest of the time children can have all kinds of activities and sports activities.

Secondary education in Denmark

Denmark is a country of almost universal literacy. Among adults, the proportion of illiterates does not exceed 1%. In 1995, more than 155,700 students (approximately 45% of students of student age) were studying in higher educational institutions of the country. Government spending on education is 8.3% of GDP.

The education system in Denmark is under state control. The general principles of education are established by state bodies. All secondary and higher educational institutions are mainly state-owned, subordinate to the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Culture.

In Denmark, a reform of the school system was carried out, pursuing two goals: to increase the influence of parents on the life of the school and to strengthen and expand cooperation between teachers and children. To do this, the reformers tried to shorten the chain of intermediate instances between the ministry (the ministry combines managerial and scientific functions and is therefore called the ministry of education and research) and educational institutions. On January 1, 1990, new rules came into force, according to which the rights of the school administration were noticeably reduced. Money for schools is accumulated in the accounts of the municipality, from where it is distributed to the places. The hiring and firing of teachers is done by the municipal council through the school board. The school administration has no right, as before, to independently divide students according to their abilities and form classes on this basis. And finally, the school administration cannot single-handedly distribute scholarships among students. The fact is that the system of additional education in Denmark is paid. And to support talented children, a system of grants, that is, scholarships, has been created.

In addition to the school council, there are pedagogical and student councils. The first works under the direction of the director and solves methodological problems. The Student Council includes both students and teachers, but teachers have only advisory votes. The Student Council is linked to the School Council, which in turn is linked to the Municipal Council. It is left to the discretion of the school board to determine the school's development strategy. The school council consists of 7 parents, two teachers, two students and a representative of the mayor's office, who has the right to an advisory vote. Neither the Ministry nor the municipalities have the right to regulate their activities.

School principles

Parents have a great influence on schooling and children's choice of one or another subject, they can insist on re-education of their son or daughter in any grade, choose subjects together in 8th and 9th grades, and also what exams will be take a graduate.

Parents of elementary school students are invited several times a year to meetings and discussions, consultations on educational issues, student behavior, and so on. Since 1990, through the school council, parents have been able to participate in solving school-wide problems.

No more than 5 lessons per day, and two of them are necessarily physical culture and sports, i.e. outdoor games.

Sports and physical culture are increasingly becoming part of the life of a Dane. So, for example, in grades 4-5, three physical education lessons are practiced, one of which is swimming. After school, a little Dane can go to sports clubs or leisure centers.

There are almost no lessons in Danish schools. Everything is done in the classroom. Only the so-called "projects" are assigned to the house. This is something vaguely reminiscent of an abstract, but simpler.

There is an opinion that in terms of learning mathematics, Danish students are far behind. By the eleventh grade, students usually know how to divide and multiply using a calculator, have a general idea of \u200b\u200bx and y. The words "integral" and "derivative" are known only to senior students of mathematical faculties.

It is also noted that the Danes are not familiar with the culture of other peoples. Many do not know The Little Prince, The Three Musketeers, etc.

But on the other hand, the teaching of foreign languages has been raised to an unexpectedly high level.

Principles of education at school

The main aim in the Danish school was the development of creative abilities, flexibility of thinking, and the ability to interact with each other. Children are taught to freely express their thoughts, to take part in solving problems.

The underlying principle is that the process is as important as the end result, and the interests of the individual cannot be neglected for the sake of the demands of the system.

A significant place in the games is given to collectivism and mutual assistance; the main task of the players is to take part and not pay attention to mistakes when teaching certain exercises.

You can’t not only shout at students, but simply raise your voice.

The usual punishment is to leave the children after school. In more difficult cases, students may be sent to "forced labour". The company gets an errand student who wants to - doesn’t want to, but does some minimal amount of work (no one will just sit and spit out the window), the school breathes a sigh of relief, parents are happy that the child is attached and under supervision.

The problems of education today excite the entire civilized world. Recently, we have been paying more and more attention to various ways of conducting quality checks (tests, exams), the necessary and sufficient amount of education (standards). And we often move away from the analysis of the foundations of the educational system, accepting the scheme that exists in our society, originally built on prohibitions, restrictions and subordination, as the norm. In most countries, such a school is considered ordinary, and only a number of teachers independently go beyond the usual limits, providing children with minimal freedoms.

But there is a country in which education over the past century and a half has been built on fundamentally different foundations. Its citizens themselves choose which school and under what program their children will study, and the state guarantees financial support for any educational institutions (if there is a demand for them in society and they comply with the minimum rules specified by law).

When we pronounce the word “school”, we usually imagine a building with large rooms (classrooms) arranged in even rows of desks (now tables and chairs), a teacher standing at the blackboard, textbooks with paragraphs, notebooks with errors corrected by red paste, a journal with marks , diaries with notes. Such a familiar picture...

Seems like it always has been and always will be. If suddenly the teacher stops explaining the material while standing at the blackboard, rearranges the desks in the office, allows the children to analyze their progress and put marks themselves - this is considered an innovation, for which you sometimes have to fight with the school administration, proving to everyone around that it’s not at all scary, that it’s so it is possible to teach children. Well, the idea that it is possible to build a school without compulsory subjects at all, without marks and annual (especially quarterly) summing up, in Russia, as in many other countries of the world, is considered seditious, almost delusional.

Arguments that standards in education can only be based on the conditions provided by the state, and not on learning outcomes; that the educational system should be a market of educational structures that freely compete with each other on the basis of a single law; that the methods of education and its results should be acceptable primarily for consumers (students and their parents), and not for the ministry, cause those in power at best condescending smiles, at worst - enduring irritation: “We must be equal to the West! We will introduce as soon as possible a twelve-year education, uniform exams, educational standards - and we will immediately become a civilized country!”

We will introduce, but we will hardly become more civilized. Because what exams our children take and how many years they study does not depend on what kind of people they grow up to be. But it depends on how school teachers treat them, how much fear and how much happiness the children experienced during their studies at school.

When I first learned that in Denmark children study without grades, that any group of parents there can open a school in accordance with their own views on education, I, frankly, did not believe it. Maybe there are just digital marks replaced with a different scale, for example, with various symbols? Perhaps the schools opened by the parents are inspected by the Ministry of Education in some special "Danish" way? And of course, in order to move from class to class, children sum up the results of the school year, otherwise how will they (and their parents!) See what they have learned during this time?!

It was these thoughts that prompted me to study the Danish educational system in more detail. I wanted to know whether a school can really exist without grades and exams, and how the real possibility of creating schools of any type is used. Such an educational system has long been seen as a ghostly ideal of a distant future that is not destined to be seen.

And if education really is organized this way in this small country, then what did such a system lead to? How has the relationship between teachers and students changed? What methods of work with children are used by adults? How do people who grew up in such an educational system see the school of the future?

Just a few centuries ago, Denmark was a huge empire that dominated the northwest of Europe. A century and a half ago, it lost its power, having been defeated in a series of wars, and turned from an empire into a country almost invisible on the map. Today, Denmark (according to various ratings) has one of the highest living standards in the world. And what is very important, this country has a very high degree of social protection of citizens: a free healthcare system is developed, kindergartens and schools are funded by the state, high pensions, magnificent homes for the elderly and disabled, located in the most picturesque places. A small Scandinavian country with a population of just over five million people successfully supplies a huge amount of agricultural products to the international market, competes on equal terms with the largest modern powers in the field of high technology, and supports scientists from all over the world.

I do not presume to judge what was the cause and what was the consequence - the development of education without grades or the organization of society and the culture of behavior adopted in it. But the fact remains that they developed in parallel. The phenomenon of the Danish school and society has been noticed for a long time. Robert Powell, an English scholar and educator, titled his work on this issue as follows: "The Danish free school tradition - a lesson for all of us?" Describing the peculiarity of education in this country, he gives an eloquent example: teenagers in all countries of the world are very similar to each other and, sitting on a train, often put their feet on the seat opposite; but Danish teenagers are different from the rest (English, Swedish…) in that they first take off their sneakers…

Today Russia also stands at a crossroads: the past is almost lost, life is changing with catastrophic force. The future of our society depends on the school in which our children grow up. We will teach at school to obey the laws invented by adults; perform meaningless tasks; learn the answers to the tests - the society will be one. Let's let the children understand in their school years what exactly depends on them: what laws will be adopted, and how to find a job to their liking, and how to respect other people's work and other people's opinions - society will be different. So what future are we building for Russia?

So, how is the Danish educational system organized? Every citizen has the right to free education and a profession. I did not make a reservation, using the word citizen, not child. After all, you often have to study not only in your youth, so schools of various types have been created there, in which you can study, retrain, and finish your studies throughout your life. Consider schools for children 6-15 years old. They are called there: schools for children.

Education in these schools lasts 9-10 years. During this time, no marks are given to the children, and at the end of the ninth grade, everyone takes final exams in three main subjects: Danish and English, and mathematics. No one is ever left for the second year (there are no marks!), And no one is afraid of final exams: the results obtained do not affect the further fate of a grown-up person, and if knowledge is not enough for further education, you can always finish your studies in specially created for this adult schools. After the ninth grade, those who wish can stay at school for another year: learn what they are really interested in, travel, gain strength and communication experience, and only then choose their own path. Folk schools are funded by the municipalities and are subject to general rules, which include approximately the same number of teaching hours in various subjects. And, of course, guaranteed funding for the work of teachers.

In parallel with the folk schools, there are a large number of schools that are only partly funded by the state. They are grouped into different groups (free schools, private schools, Steiner and Montessori schools, and so on), but their main difference from our private schools is that parents pay no more than 25% of all costs, while teachers receive the same salary. like in public schools. The state does not control the learning process in them in any way (that is why they are sometimes called independent - meaning independent of state control). But all this on one condition: children there must be given the right to study the three compulsory subjects no less than in public schools. At the end of the ninth year of study, they, along with the rest, must pass the final exams.

It seems impossible to clearly and quickly describe even part of the Danish educational system. As a result of the fact that parents really hire teachers there and such teams can create schools of any type, a single structure simply does not exist there. So, in the days of socialist distribution, all data on goods and stores could be found quickly and easily by contacting the relevant government services. The market lives and develops according to other laws. A simple structure can only exist when it is constructed from above, like a mechanism: there are two bolts, there are three screws and four wheels... In Denmark, education developed from below: educational institutions that people needed were opened, and the state supported them financially. Then the schools were united into groups, if it was convenient for their employees and parents. As a result, such a complex system has developed that it is simply impossible to describe it in a nutshell, and is it really necessary?

When I told about the structure of education in Denmark to my friends - teachers and people of different professions who have children - everyone had tears in their eyes. Not from envy of others, but from hopelessness. There is nothing special in this system, it is simple and reasonable, nothing else! But for some reason, no one believes that such a system can be implemented in our country. I believe differently from them. Moreover, I know: the experience accumulated in the work of our teachers is so rich that as soon as he leaves the underground ... Eh, is it destined?

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Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, characters from the fairy tales of Hans Christian Anderson and wind farms, houses with tiled roofs, spiers, towers and bell towers.

But one of the most important attractions of the Scandinavian country is the Danes themselves. Living at the crossroads of Scandinavian, Baltic and European cultures, the descendants of the Vikings are unusually open both in terms of borders and in terms of outside influences, which opens up additional advantages for those who want to get a quality education abroad.

Denmark in facts and figures

The official name is Danish. Kongeriget Danmark, The Kingdom of Denmark (Kingdom of Denmark).

The state is located in Northern Europe, occupies most of the island of Zeeland and the Jutland peninsula.

Denmark consists of 406 islands. On land it borders with Germany, at sea with Sweden and Norway.

It is washed by the North and Baltic seas.

Denmark is a member of the EU, OECD and WTO and a member of the Schengen Agreement.

The state system is a constitutional monarchy.

The population is 5.506 million people.

The population density is 121 people per sq. km.

The area of the territory is 43,094 km2.

Denmark is the smallest country in Northern Europe.

The capital is Copenhagen.

The official language is Danish. In addition to him, English, French, German are common.

Time zone - time is 1 hour behind Kiev time.

The climate is temperate maritime, without sharp fluctuations in temperature.

Monetary unit - Danish krone (DKK).

The approximate exchange rate is 1 USD=DKK 5.54, 1 EURO=DKK 7.44.

Why study in Denmark

Denmark is part of the European Union, so Danish education is recognized in Europe, as well as in the USA and other countries.

Low cost of education and living.
Denmark spends about 8.3% of GDP on education (with an average of 4.9%), which is one of the highest in the world. Therefore, excellent conditions are created for students: modern equipment and laboratories, computer classes with free Internet access for all students, rich libraries and comfortable auditoriums for lectures and individual studies, comfortable hostels.
The quality of education is controlled by the state. Secondary and higher educational institutions are predominantly state-owned and are subordinate to the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Culture. The curricula of some universities are accredited by agencies recognized in the international education market.
Opportunity to receive a scholarship or earn extra money while studying.
Educational institutions in Denmark use the European Credit Conversion and Accumulation System - ECTS (the European credit transfer system) designed to offset loans from various universities, including those in different countries.
Danish universities are actively developing and implementing their own programs.
Opportunity to learn at least two languages. Students can choose the language of instruction: Danish or English. Moreover, the choice of programs in English is great: over 1,000 courses are offered, plus more than 200 master's and doctoral programs. The University of Copenhagen alone provides international students with 500 courses in English. In addition, almost 80% of the Danish population are fluent in English.
The specificity of Danish education is minimalism and pragmatism - each student receives only the knowledge that will later be useful to him in his future work.
Like the UK, Denmark is considered a country with a high level of economic and social development. The gap between the rich and the poor in Denmark is much smaller than in many other capitalist countries with which Denmark is usually compared in economic analyses.
Hygge ("hygge")- the main feature of the mentality of the Danes. The word has no analogues in the Russian language and is a cult of spiritual and physical comfort, peace, comfort, warmth and goodwill, combined with a friendly atmosphere. Therefore, the adaptation and life of students also passes under the sign of "hygge".

Description of the education system

Preschool education

The system of preschool education includes a nursery (for children aged 6 months to 3 years), kindergartens (from 3 to 6-7 years old), expanded kindergartens for children of all age groups and community child care groups established on an individual basis under contract with the municipality. Early childhood education in Denmark is not compulsory. The financing of kindergartens of all kinds, as well as the planning of the number of places, is carried out by the municipalities.

Secondary education

Compulsory schooling is free, starts at age 7 and ends at 17. Includes basic (initial) school, which consists of 1 year of preparatory school and 9 years of compulsory basic secondary school (Folkescole). As well as the 10th grade, which is considered optional. According to statistics, about 60% of students remain in the 10th grade.

After the end of the compulsory school program, most of the students continue their studies in high school, which lasts 3 years. In Denmark, as in other Scandinavian countries, the high school is divided into academic and vocational departments, or a combination of both.

The academic programs of the upper secondary school consist of traditional general education programs and represent a preparatory stage for studying at universities. They end with the highest preliminary examination. The certificate issued at the end gives the right to enter higher educational institutions.

Vocational departments offer vocational education with a specific qualification, after which graduates can start working. The training lasts from 2 to 5 years. Upon completion, students take the higher technical (Higher Technical Examination) or commercial (Higher Commercial Examination) exam.

Higher education

The higher education system is represented by higher academic and non-academic institutions. Universities are academic. There are 1 universities in Denmark, 5 of which are multidisciplinary, offering a wide range of courses from the history of architecture to physics. The rest have a narrow specialization in certain areas: pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicine, agriculture, education, business administration, engineering.

Almost all higher education institutions belong to the public sector. Education in them for Danish citizens is free. Universities, as full-cycle institutions, offer three-level study programs that comply with the provisions of the Bologna Convention.

This is undergraduate (average duration 3-4 years), magistracy (1-2 years of study upon completion of the bachelor's course) and graduate school (3 years of study after the master's course).

In addition, universities can award doctoral degrees - Dr. Sc. or Dr. Phil. (PhD), etc. after 5-8 years of scientific research. Non-academic institutions are represented by colleges that offer 3-4 year bachelor's programs in the field of narrow professional activity, including mandatory work experience.

This also includes non-academic universities - Andre Vidergaende Uddannelser, which provide training in such specialties as pedagogy, psychology, sociology, journalism.

In addition to higher education, there are educational institutions of continuing education (further)- university centers offering 1- or 2-year courses of basic training and pre-university orientation.

Another popular segment is “open education”. Institutions in this sector offer programs for already working people who want to retrain or improve their skills. Establishments of this type are already paid (average 400 to 800 DKK per semester).

Features for foreigners

How to get into a Danish university

Admission to all universities in Denmark is carried out in accordance with quotas, which are annually set by the Ministry of Education. Requirements for entering higher education institutions depend on the level of study, and the process and deadlines for submitting applications are determined by the institutions themselves.

In order to enroll in university-type higher education institutions for a bachelor's program, foreign applicants must provide a document on complete secondary education of the Danish sample (12-13 years of secondary school) or equivalent documents. Equivalent are secondary education certificates issued in EU countries or international baccalaureate - a document on secondary education issued by the International Office in Geneva. Enrollment, as a rule, takes place on the basis of a competition of average scores of certificates.

To study in programs taught in Danish, you must pass The Studytest of Danish as a Foreign Language. Many universities in Denmark offer Danish language courses.

If you intend to study in English, upon admission you must demonstrate knowledge of this language, confirmed by TOEFL certificates (at least 550 points) or IELTS (6.0 points).

If the applicant's certificate is not equivalent to Danish, applicants are offered to undergo special training at the university center, which ends with the Higher Preparatory Examination. You can also learn Danish there.

To enter a master's program, you must have a bachelor's degree, usually in the same field or in a field related to the master's degree program.

Scholarships

The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation provides international students with a range of scholarships, which are mainly aimed at funding short-term internships or research at Danish universities. As a rule, these are scholarships for graduates with bachelor's or master's degrees and scientists. The average scholarship amount is about 810 US dollars.

Scholarships are distributed by the Agency for International Studies, which is a government agency under the Danish Ministry of Education and coordinating study programs in the EU. Additionally, on the website http://www.iu.dk.

To qualify for a government scholarship, a candidate must fill out an application form, a sample of which is available on the agency's website, and indicate in it the direction of the internship or scientific work. The application and other required documents are sent to the address of the agency that decides on the award of the scholarship.

There are also scholarships for Danish language learners in summer courses, lasting no more than 3 weeks. Government scholarships are not provided for those who study Danish from scratch.

In addition, Denmark has the Danish Students Grants and Loans Agency, which issues loans for Danish students. However, international students can also receive financial assistance if they meet a number of requirements. Additionally at http://www.su.dk.

Can I work while studying?

During training, students are given the right to work for 15 hours a week or 37 hours on vacation. The average student salary is 13 euros per hour.

Scholarship recipients are not eligible for paid employment for the duration of the scholarship.

Health care

In Denmark, insurance medicine is accepted, so medical services for students are provided with insurance.

Cost of education

Higher education in Denmark is provided free of charge to students from all EU countries and students who take part in exchange programs.

All other international students must pay tuition fees. The annual tuition fee for full-time students varies from 6,000 to 16,000 euros, depending on the chosen specialty and university.

Cost of living in the country

When leaving for Denmark, foreign students must prove the availability of funds for living expenses at the rate of at least 4,200 DKK monthly expenses.

On average, students spend 4,200-6,000 DKK per month on accommodation (about 600-800 EUR). Of these, payment for housing in a hostel takes 2,000-2,500 thousand DKK per month (approximately 240-400 euros), renting an apartment will cost 200-500 euros per month. Food expenses - DKK 1,500-2,000 per month, transport - DKK 300-600 per month and textbooks - DKK 1,000-1,500 per semester. Payment of medical insurance - 50-60 euros per month.

Visa regime

Denmark is a member of the Schengen Agreement, so the Danish Embassy issues Schengen visas. However, those who come to the country for the purpose of study receive a national long-term visa, since the conditions of stay do not fall under the Schengen Agreement, in particular, in terms of the length of stay.

To obtain a national long-term visa to Denmark, the following documents are required:

International passport, the validity of which expires no later than 3 months after the date of departure from the territory of the Schengen countries and a photocopy of its pages.
Internal passport and photocopy of internal passport.
2 copies of the visa application form for the Schengen countries with additions, completed in block letters in English. The applicant must answer all questions and personally sign the questionnaire.
Documents confirming sufficient financial solvency or income of the applicant, which will cover the costs of the trip: a recent bank statement, traveler's checks, a credit card along with an ATM statement, or other proof of financial status.
Proof of payment of the tuition fee.
There is no consular fee for students. However, in order not to pay the consular fee, it is necessary to provide proof that the applicant belongs to this category. For this, documents confirming the purpose of the trip will again come in handy:
Original letter of invitation from the host university, college or school; or an original letter of acceptance from the host university, college or school; or a student ID issued by the host university, college or school.
Documents on the received education or a certificate from the place of study.
The original international medical insurance policy and its copy in A4 format. Moreover, the insurer must have an agreement on the payment of compensation with an international insurance company located in the Schengen area.
3 color passport photographs (size 35×45 mm), and 2 of them must be glued to the questionnaires (not a stapler).
If the applicant is under 18 years of age, a notarized parental consent to travel translated into English, as well as a birth certificate, must be provided.
In addition, the Danish Embassy may require you to submit additional documents and call for an interview.

Most often, additional documents that are provided at the special request of the Embassy are:

Evidence of an exchange program (for students traveling to Denmark on an exchange program).
Proof of payment for accommodation.

Visa applications are sent to the Danish Immigration Authority for review.

The term for consideration of the application is from one month. In case of submission of incomplete data, the application may not be considered.

In addition to obtaining a visa, foreign students must apply for a residence permit, which will require a certificate of enrollment in a Danish university, a good knowledge of the language (Danish or English), confirmation of financial viability for the period of study and confirmation of payment for the first semester.

The prospect of staying

After graduating from a Danish university, graduates can receive a Green card-ordning for six months to look for job opportunities in Denmark. This time is usually enough to conclude a contract for employment.

The main condition for obtaining Danish citizenship for foreigners is the length of legal stay in the country. You can get a permanent residence permit only after 2 years of stay in the Kingdom of Denmark, and you can apply for Danish citizenship after 9 years of continuous residence in the country.

Denmark is popular among foreign students due to its openness, the spread of the English language and the relative cheapness of high-quality education.

Danish higher education institutions can be divided into three types: universities, university colleges and academies of higher professional education. A feature of the Danish education system is a bet on interactivity and the exchange of experience. A typical week for a Danish student consists of 10 hours in the classroom and 30 hours of self-study.

Duration of Danish university programs

There are several degrees that can be obtained in Danish universities. Some vocational education programs offer the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree. There are two types of undergraduate studies: academic - 3 years, and with a rate on professional activity - up to 4.5 years. Master's degree takes 2 years, and postgraduate studies - 3.

Education in Denmark in English

Danish universities offer more than 500 programs in English in a wide range of disciplines: exact sciences, natural sciences, humanities, technology, business, art, and so on.

Admission to Danish Universities

For admission, a Russian applicant will need to unlearn at least one year at a university in their homeland. Usually, entrance exams are taken only in creative specialties, but each university can present its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to pass an interview or show good grades in a major subject. In some cases, the university may consider a school certificate with a high average score sufficient, so it makes sense to contact the admissions committee of the faculty you are interested in in advance. Many Danish universities offer preparatory programs with the opportunity to take a final exam. The results of this exam can greatly increase your chances of admission. Admission to graduate and graduate programs is based on previous grades and a motivational essay. Sometimes bachelors who have completed one year at the post-graduate level are admitted to graduate school.

Applications for undergraduate studies are accepted twice a year: until March 15 for programs starting in August, and until September 1 for programs starting in February. You can fill out an application online on a single portal, and send the original documents by mail. The deadlines for admission to graduate and graduate programs vary depending on the program.

Cost and Scholarships to Study in Denmark

Education in Denmark is free for EU and Swiss citizens. If you are not, then you will have to pay from 6 to 16 thousand euros per year of study. International students can apply for scholarship programs such as the Danish Innovation Scholarship. Danish Government Scholarships are designed for those who aim to integrate into Danish society, learning its language and culture. The monthly expenses of students vary from 600 to 1000 euros depending on the city of residence. During training, students are allowed to work 15 hours a week and 37 hours during holidays. In order to stay in Denmark after your studies, you will need a job offer.

Every foreigner can now get an education and a European diploma in Denmark - a Scandinavian country, the majority of whose population communicates fluently in English. What are the advantages and features of the educational system of this state?

Advantages

The Kingdom of Denmark is the southernmost and smallest of all Scandinavian countries. This multicultural state has a well-developed infrastructure and a high standard of living. Denmark offers its students excellent living conditions and an educational system that is one of the most prestigious and best in the world. Many choose this particular country for secondary and higher education for a number of reasons:

Reduced language barrier. For admission, it is enough to know English, and Danish can be gradually mastered already in the process of receiving education. More than 500 university programs are taught in English.
The country's universities are guided by the international format, so they can offer a huge number of relevant training programs and courses to choose from.
Studying in Denmark will help you acquire a qualification that will be recognized in the labor market in almost any country in Europe and the world.
For students from EU countries, education is free. For everyone else, the fee can range from 6,000 to 16,000 euros per year.

In its current form, the Danish education system has existed since 1994. It is worth noting that it is controlled by the government, and most educational institutions are supervised by government agencies and report to the Ministry of Education.

Primary education

Kindergartens of the country are open all year round, except for weekends and holidays, from 7 to 6 o'clock. In Denmark, there are the following types of preschool institutions:

The Education Act states that the elementary school is committed to helping children acquire the basic knowledge and skills they will need to continue their education in general secondary education. In addition, according to this law, the school must develop the student's personality, teach him tolerance and understanding of the cultures of other countries, lay the foundations for correct behavior, skills for full functioning in society, teamwork, and proper interaction with nature.

Teachers help children:

form and expand vocabulary;
in a playful way to get acquainted with the school rules;
learn to feel like a full member of society.

Secondary education

A rather specific aspect is that the duration of complete secondary education in Denmark is 12 years. At school, children receive knowledge in the field of mathematics, languages, natural and social disciplines, study the culture and history of Denmark and other states. The right to receive a compulsory level of education for children aged 7 to 16 is legislated.

At the same time, parents can also control school attendance, deciding whether their child needs it. Special education is also compulsory, but studying in the 10th, as well as preparatory 11th and 12th grades of the school is not considered compulsory. The same level of knowledge that the Folkeskole (public high school) provides can be obtained by studying at home or in one of the private schools (Privatskole). There are special Christian or Valdor schools, they are not controlled by the municipal authorities.

Most of the children attend public institutions, and only about 12% of them go to private schools, and 4.5% go to paid gymnasiums.

From the 2nd to the 8th grade, knowledge testing is regularly conducted in the secondary school. If in the second grade it consists only of tests in Danish, then in the eighth grade testing includes knowledge testing in such disciplines as biology, geography and physics. An individual curriculum is drawn up for each student. At the same time, schoolchildren begin to receive grades only in 8-10 grades.

According to statistics, approximately 99% of Danish children study in secondary schools. After receiving compulsory education, 86% of them go to high schools, and 41% go to higher education institutions. High school graduates receive certificates called studentereksamen. At the beginning of the year, all types of schools receive a kind of plan. It indicates a list of the minimum scores that children should score at the end of the year, separately for each of the disciplines. Knowledge testing is carried out by teachers, parents and inspectors. Parents choose a school for their child, and students can choose teachers. Teachers must regularly improve their qualifications, and at the expense of their own financial resources.

Graduates of Danish schools can choose their specialty in any of the following areas:

Education in Denmark implies a certain freedom - teachers can independently draw up a curriculum, choose materials at their own discretion, and even introduce their own developments into the educational process. After receiving secondary education, everyone can continue their studies at one of three types of universities - a vocational school, college or university.

Higher education system

In order to be able to study at a Danish university, applicants from the Russian Federation should study at any of the Russian universities for at least one year.

Among the types of higher educational institutions of the state, the following can be distinguished:

Vocational schools offering two-year educational programs in the field of information technology or business. Education here involves a combination of theoretical knowledge with practical exercises. At the end of your studies, you should write a thesis.
Specialized colleges offer applicants to acquire knowledge in the field of engineering, pedagogy, business and management within 3-4 years. The theory here is successfully combined with research activities. To obtain a bachelor's degree, you must write a diploma.

The largest and oldest universities in the state can be called the University of Copenhagen, founded in 1479, as well as the University of Aarhus, founded in 1928.

Some institutions of higher education specialize in any one industry, but most offer specialization in one of the many faculties with a wide range of disciplines.

The Danish higher education system offers to obtain a European diploma with the assignment of one of the following qualification levels:

Base. The duration of training is 3 - 4 years. A bachelor's degree is issued.
Basic. The study lasts 2 years, the graduate receives a master's degree.
Additional - if desired, you can continue your studies for 3 years and become a doctor of science.

In order to prepare for admission to a university, you can use the services of special centers at universities. After completing training in such a structure, you can take a special exam called the Higher Preparatory Examination.

The opportunity to enroll in a higher educational institution is received by persons who have reached the age of 18, subject to the availability of a certificate of secondary education and a certificate confirming sufficient knowledge of the English language (TOEFL or IELTS).

Each university in the country establishes a scholarship for students, and when applying for special postgraduate courses, you can try to use the state scholarship program.

Students must take exams after completing the course in each of the disciplines. The commission that accepts these tests consists of university professors and independent examiners. Since 2002, all universities are required to issue diploma supplements in English to graduates.

Education in Denmark is now available for applicants from the Russian Federation. In order to enter a Danish university for free education, you will need to apply for an appropriate grant. Currently, the Danish government offers a number of scholarship programs to international students. You can also enter one of the universities in Denmark on your own, on a paid basis, if you have a document on complete secondary education and you have completed at least one course at a Russian university.