Studies structure in the Denmark

The University in Copenhagen, founded in 1479 AD, is the oldest and the biggest educational and research institution in Denmark. In the academic year 2000/01 there were about 35 thousand students and 7 thousands employees.

The system of higher education in Denmark encompasses 200 relatively small schools. The average number of students per school is about 800, and there is one higher school per 26 thousand of citizens. These schools may be divided into universities and colleges.

The university sector encompasses 12 schools: 5 traditional universities, offering full range of traditional academic branches, 3 specialist institutions, offering programs based on natural science, 3 business schools and the Royal Danish School of Pharmacy. Moreover, there are a wide range of higher schools supervised by the minister of culture, offering programs within artistic education.

The college sector encompasses a row of relatively small institutions, which offer non-academic courses of study, vocationally oriented, short (1-3years) or intermediate (3-4years). In 2000 the Bachelor degree was introduced.

The university studies usually encompass three stages: 3-year course of study (Bachelor), then 2-year course of study (Master) , and then doctoral studies (usually 3 years), which end with the public defence of the thesis. Most of the students finished their education at the Master's level, much fewer at the Bachelor's level, and only 5-8% of the students acquires a doctorate.

Studying in Denmark is free of charge and it is available to anyone in possession of appropriate qualifications.