30 Best Universities in Denmark for International Students

1. Aarhus University

Founded: 1928
Location: Aarhus C, Denmark.

Aarhus University is a public research university and a member of the European University Association.

It is one of the largest and oldest universities in Denmark, with over 38,000 students and 11,000 employees.

The university is rated among the top global universities in Denmark and has five faculties: Technical Sciences, Arts, Natural Sciences, Health, and Business and Social Sciences.

It houses over 30 international research centers and has a total of about 27 departments.

2. University of Copenhagen

Founded: 1479
Location: København, Denmark

The University of Copenhagen is a public research university that is renowned for its commitment to quality education and research.

It was founded in 1479 and is one of the oldest universities in Europe.

The university has six faculties and four campuses, where students can pursue their academic interests. In addition, the university operates 122 research centers and 36 departments in Denmark.

The University of Copenhagen has a rich history of producing groundbreaking research works and is highly regarded for its educational achievements.

3. Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Founded: 1829
Location: Lyngby, Denmark.

DTU is a public polytechnic institution that is widely recognized as one of the leading engineering institutions in Europe.

It was founded in 1829 and has since grown to become a respected tertiary institution in Denmark. DTU is home to over 20 departments and more than 15 research centers, which are dedicated to advancing research in various fields.

DTU is affiliated with several reputed organizations such as EUA, TIME, CAESAR, EuroTech, and others. The university is renowned for its business-oriented approach, focus on sustainability, and amazing study environment.

In 2020, DTU was ranked as the second-best university in the world and number one in Europe by World University Research Rankings.

4. Aalborg University

Founded: 1974
Location: Aalborg Øst, Denmark.

Aalborg University is a well-regarded Danish university that provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields, including Design, Humanities, Social Sciences, Medicine, Information Technology, Engineering, and more.

The university was established in 1974 and is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach to education, which encourages collaboration between faculties.

Aalborg University’s curriculum is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in solving real-world problems.

5. University of Southern Denmark

Founded: 1998
Location: Odense, Denmark.

The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) is a public university located in Denmark. It has partnered with several universities to offer joint programs.

The university has strong affiliations with international and regional scientific communities and industries.

SDU has consistently ranked among the top young universities in the world. It has five faculties, 11 research facilities, and about 32 departments.

The university offers a variety of higher education programs, including Bachelor’s degree programs, master’s degree programs, continuing education (Professional Master’s degrees, part-time programs), as well as research degrees (PhD).

6. Copenhagen Business School

Founded: 1917
Location: Frederiksberg, Denmark.

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is a public university in Denmark that is widely recognized as one of the world’s best business schools. CBS offers a range of internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs in business.

CBS is one of the few universities in the world to have a triple crown accreditation, which includes accreditation from EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), AMBA (Association of MBAs), and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

CBS has a large international faculty and student body, with over 300 partner universities in more than 50 countries. CBS is also known for its research in business and society, with a focus on sustainability, digitalization, and innovation.

7. Roskilde University

Founded: 1972
Location: Roskilde, Denmark.

Roskilde University is a public university located in Denmark that was founded in 1972.

The university has four departments that offer a wide range of courses in various fields such as humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences. Roskilde University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.

The university has a flexible and group-based educational model with a focus on interdisciplinarity and less well-defined boundaries between academic fields. Roskilde University researches various topics such as sustainability, democracy, gender, and pandemics.

8. Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA)

Founded: 2008
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark.

Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA) is one of the independent tertiary institutions in Denmark. It has eight campuses and offers mainly applied degrees in fields such as technology, design, information technology, and more.

KEA does not have a graduate school and only offers undergraduate, part-time programs, accelerated, and professional degrees.

KEA is known for its practice-oriented higher education, which is developed in close collaboration with the business community and educational institutions in Denmark and abroad.

The university has a diverse student body, with students from over 70 nations.

KEA offers a wide range of programs in English within the fields of Design, Digital, Build, and Tech.

9. UCL University College

Founded: 1826
Location: Svendborg, Denmark.

UCL University College is a higher education institution located in the southern region of Denmark, specifically at Klostervænget 2, 4, 5700 Svendborg.

It was established in 2018 after the merger of Business Academy Lillebaelt and University College Lillebaelt.

UCL University College is one of the six regional university colleges in Denmark and claims to be the third-largest university college in Denmark.

The university has a student population of over 11,500 and approximately 1,400 employees.

UCL University College offers over 40 academy and professional higher education programs in fields such as Business, Technology, Social Sciences, Healthcare, and Education.

10. VIA University College

Founded: 2008
Location: Horsens, Denmark

VIA University College is a tertiary institution located in Horsens, Denmark. It was established in 2008 and has since grown to include eight campuses.

The institution offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including Education and Social Studies, Health Sciences, Business, Technology, and Creative Industries.

The programs are broadly categorized into Exchange, Summer School, AP Programs, Undergraduate, and Graduate. VIA University College is home to over 19,000 students from Denmark and around the world.

Founded: 1968
Location: Odense, Denmark

The School of Social Work, Odense is a tertiary institution founded in 1968 and is located in the Skibhus neighborhood of Odense.

The school offers a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and diploma programs in several courses, including Criminology, Family Therapy, and Elderly and Demented Care.

The School of Social Work, Odense has modern facilities that include classrooms, study rooms, computer rooms, and offices.

The institution merged into the University College, Little Belt with a varied number of courses. The building houses 4 floors of modern classrooms, computer rooms, study rooms, and offices for the staff and student organizations. The building also contains two large lecture halls.

The school has its library with literature and journals in disciplines such as law, social work, social sciences, psychology, psychiatry, human resources, economics, welfare, employment measures, educational and vocational guidance, and tax systems.

The school has its cafeteria and pub. The decoration of the building was by Danish artist Thomas Bang with support from the Danish State Arts Foundation. The building is open 24 hours. Access requires a valid student card or key card after normal school hours.

12. IT University of Copenhagen

Founded: 1999
Location: København, Denmark

The IT University of Copenhagen is a public research institution located in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen.

The university offers multidisciplinary programs with a core focus on Information Technology. The programs include MSc and Master’s degrees in IT, digital design, data science, business, and software engineering.

The university carries out research through research groups and centers, which are dedicated to various fields such as cybersecurity, data science, digital design, and more.

13. Media College Denmark

Founded: 1943
Location: Viborg, Denmark

Media College Denmark is a school located in Viborg, Denmark.

The college admits students twice a year, in January and August. Students who meet the eligibility requirements can stay at the school dormitory.

Media College Denmark offers courses in Film and TV production, Photography, and Web development.

14. Danish School of Media and Journalism

Founded: 2008
Location: Aarhus, Denmark

The Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX) is a university in Denmark that provides education in media, journalism, and related fields.

DMJX was formed by the merger of two previously independent institutions. The school has two campuses, one in Copenhagen and the other in Aarhus.

DMJX offers advanced undergraduate programs in English in Photojournalism, Multimedia, World Politics, Public Relations, Communications Design, and more.

The school also offers a master’s degree program in collaboration with Aarhus University and other universities.

The Erasmus Mundus Master program is taught through the Centre for University Studies in Journalism, which was co-established by DMJX and Aarhus University.

15. Aarhus School of Architecture

Founded: 1965
Location: Aarhus, Denmark

The Aarhus School of Architecture was established in 1965 with the aim of training and educating aspiring architects in Denmark.

The school’s pedagogy is practice-based and emphasizes group work, studio work, and project work.

The school has a research structure that includes three research labs and a workshop facility that enables students to bring their creativity to life.

Research at the Aarhus School of Architecture is focused on habitation, transformation, and sustainability.

16. Design School Kolding

Founded: 1967
Location: Kolding, Denmark

Design School Kolding is a Danish institution that offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various design fields such as fashion design, communication design, textile, industrial design, accessory design, and design for people, planet, and play.

It was founded in 1967 and became a university in 2010. The school is known for its notable Ph.D., master’s, and undergraduate programs in several design-related fields.

The institution has a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility, which is reflected in its research and development activities. The school has three research labs: LAB for Sustainability and Design, LAB for Social Design, and LAB for Play and Design.

Design School Kolding has approximately 340 students and several Ph.D. students, including industrial Ph.D. students. The school is renowned for producing highly skilled designers who are well-equipped to tackle real-world design challenges.

17. The Royal Danish Academy of Music

Founded: 1867
Location: Frederiksberg, Denmark.

The Royal Danish Academy of Music is a tertiary institution that has been providing musical education at the highest level since 1867.

It is widely regarded as the oldest professional musical academy in Denmark and the largest, with approximately 400 students.

The Academy offers a wide range of courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and soloist levels, aimed at preparing students for careers as musicians, organists, composers, music teachers, sound engineers, or other music-related professions.

In addition to its educational programs, the Academy also conducts research and development studies in three categories: artistic practices, scientific research, and development activities.

18. The Royal Academy of Music

Founded: 1822
Location: Aarhus, Denmark.

The Royal Academy of Music is a Danish institution that operates under the patronage of Crown Prince Frederik and the protection of the Ministry of Culture in Denmark.

The academy is dedicated to promoting musical education and culture in Denmark. It is the oldest professional institution of musical education in Denmark, founded in 1867 by the composer Niels W. Gade.

The academy offers a wide range of courses at the bachelor, master, and soloist levels, including professional musicianship, music teaching, and solo performance.

With approximately 400 students, it is the largest institution of musical education in Denmark.

The academy is highly regarded in Denmark and internationally, attracting a diverse student body from around the world.

19. The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts

Founded: 1754
Location: København, Denmark

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, located in Copenhagen, Denmark, has been a significant contributor to the development of art in Denmark for over 250 years.

The academy provides education in various fields of art, including architecture, sculpture, painting, graphics, and photography. The institution is also known for its research work in these different areas of art and has won awards for its performance.

In addition to its educational and research activities, the academy has been actively involved in promoting sustainable design and architecture.

The academy’s focus on sustainability is also reflected in its research and education programs. The academy has pledged to focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its research, education, and graduation projects for the next three academic years.

20. The Royal School of Library and Information Science

Founded: 1956
Location: København, Denmark.

The Royal School of Library and Information Science is an academic institution located in Njalsgade 76, 2300 København, Denmark.

It is a part of the University of Copenhagen and offers academic programs in the field of library and information science.

The school was temporarily closed in 2017 and now functions as the Department of Communications under the University of Copenhagen.

The research at the Royal School of Library and Information Science (Department of Communications) is divided into different sections or centers, which include Education, Film Studies and Creative Media Industries, Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums, Information Behaviour and Interaction Design, Information, Technology, and Connections, Media Studies, Philosophy, and Rhetoric.

21. Danish National Academy of Music

Founded: 1946
Location: Odense, Denmark.

The Danish National Academy of Music, also known as Syddansk Musikkonservatorium (SDMK), is a higher educational institution in Denmark that operates under the Ministry of Culture.

The academy offers 13 study programs and 10 continuing education programs, with a focus on providing musical education. The academy’s mandate is to promote Denmark’s musical culture and develop artistic creativity and cultural life.

The academy has two campuses, one in Odense and the other in Esbjerg. The academy offers a wide range of music education programs, including classical music, jazz and contemporary rhythmic music, film scoring, folk/traditional music, electronic music and sound art, church music, and music pedagogics.

22. UC SYD, Kolding

Founded: 2011
Location: Kolding, Denmark.

UC SYD, Kolding is one of the top universities in Denmark, established in 2011. It offers undergraduate bachelor’s degrees in various fields of study, including nursing, teaching, nutrition and health, business language, and IT-based marketing communication.

The university has about 7 different knowledge centers and conducts research projects and programs in 4 core areas, which include childhood pedagogy, movement, and health promotion; social work, administration, and social pedagogy; healthcare practice; and school and teaching.

UC SYD, Kolding is located in the city of Kolding, Denmark, and has a modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities.

23. Business Academy Aarhus

Founded: 2009
Location: Viby J, Denmark

Business Academy Aarhus is a tertiary institution located in Viby J, Denmark. It was established in 2009 and is known as one of the largest business schools in Denmark.

The academy offers applied degree programs in various fields such as IT, Business, and Tech. Students can earn either a bachelor’s degree or an academic degree through full-time or part-time study.

The academy does not offer master’s degrees or doctoral degrees, but you can apply for short-term courses that can form part of your qualifications.

The academy offers 10 programs in English within digital communication that qualify students for many different career opportunities.

24. Professionshøjskolen UCN University

Founded: 2007
Location: Hjørring, Denmark

Professionshøjskolen UCN University, located in Hjørring, Denmark, is known as the University College of Northern Denmark.

It has four major schools, namely Health, Technology, Business, and Education. The institution has an association with Aalborg University and has 100 other university partners across the world.

UCN University offers its students undergraduate degree programs, continuing education, and an active applied research program.

25. University College, Absalon

Founded: 2007
Location: Næstved, Denmark

University College, Absalon is a Danish institution located in Næstved, Denmark.

The college offers twelve professional bachelor’s degree programs, two of which are taught in English: Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology and International Honours Degree in Teaching.

Additionally, several international modules are offered each semester at different campuses. University College, Absalon was established in 2007 and was initially called the University College Zealand. It was later renamed in 2017.

26. Københavns Professionshøjskole

Founded: 2018
Location: København V, Denmark

Københavns Professionshøjskole, also known as Metropolitan UC, is a Danish university that provides academic professional degree programs and bachelor’s degree programs to students.

The university is composed of two faculties that house nine departments. Most of the courses offered at the university are in Danish, with a few exceptions.

Københavns Professionshøjskole offers a range of continuing education programs that cater to various fields and industries. The university also provides consultancy services, research, and development, and participates in the KP Festival 2023.

Københavns Professionshøjskole is one of Denmark’s largest higher education institutions, offering practical and research-based higher education that strengthens both the private and public labor markets.

27. International People’s College

Founded: 1921
Location: Helsingør, Denmark

International People’s College is a Danish Folk High School located in Helsingør, Denmark. The school offers full or partial terms in spring, autumn, or summer classes.

The United Nations recognizes the institution as a messenger of peace, and it has produced many world leaders. The school offers over 30 courses every term in fields such as global citizenship, religious studies, personal development, globalization, and development management.

International People’s College is part of a unique group of Danish schools called the Folk High Schools in Denmark. These schools are non-formal residential schools that offer learning opportunities in different subjects.

Most students are between 18 and 24 years old, and the length of a typical stay is 4 to 6 months. The first Folk High School was founded in Denmark in 1844.

28. Rhythmic Music Conservatory

Founded: 1986
Location: København, Denmark

Rhythmic Music Conservatory, also known as RMC, is a modern music academy located at København, Denmark. It is renowned for its advanced training in rhythmic contemporary music and is the only school in Denmark that specializes in contemporary music training programs.

RMC is an independent institution of higher education under the Danish Ministry of Culture and was founded in 1986.

The conservatory is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and has high international standards. In addition to its educational programs, RMC also carries out projects and research in areas that are core to its mission and education.

29. Aarhus School of Marine and Technical Engineering

Founded: 1896
Location: Aarhus C, Denmark

The Aarhus School of Marine and Technical Engineering is a self-owning institution of higher education located in Aarhus C, Denmark.

It was established in 1896 and offers a marine engineering program that teaches practical and theoretical skills to prepare students for international marine engineering operations.

Additionally, the school provides an elective course called Energy – Technology and Management, which covers topics related to energy development and supply.

30. Syddansk Universitet Slagelse

Founded: 1998
Location: Slagelse, Denmark

Syddansk Universitet Slagelse is a Danish university located at Søndre Stationsvej, Slagelse. It was established in 1966 and is known for its interdisciplinary approach to education.

The university has ongoing projects and research works that equip students to solve complex problems. The campus is situated in a beautiful environment that provides a conducive atmosphere for learning and research.

The university comprises five faculties, namely:

The Faculty of Humanities
The Faculty of Natural Sciences
The Faculty of Social Sciences
The Faculty of Health Sciences
The Technical Faculty

FAQs

Are there scholarships available for international students in Denmark?

Yes, Denmark offers a range of scholarships for international students. You can find these scholarships through the official study in Denmark website or the individual university websites.

Can international students work part-time while studying in Denmark?

Yes, international students can work part-time while studying. Denmark offers opportunities for part-time employment, and some programs even include internships.

How can I apply for a visa and residence permit to study in Denmark?

The application process for a student visa and residence permit typically involves providing proof of admission, financial stability, and other documents. The Danish Immigration Service website provides detailed instructions.

What are the post-study opportunities for international students in Denmark?

Denmark offers various post-study opportunities, including the possibility to stay and work in the country after graduation. The Danish government encourages skilled international graduates to contribute to the workforce.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can visit the official websites of the universities or contact the international offices for detailed information on programs, admission, and campus life.

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