Danish education levels in the Agency's assessments

The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science assesses the level of foreign qualifications in relation to levels in the Danish education system. Currently, this involves the levels listed below.

Primary and lower secondary school

Leaving examination of the Folkeskole

Compulsory education lasts 10 years (grades 0 to 9) with an optional grade 10.

The leaving examination consists of six compulsory exams, which pupils sit in Years 8 and 9. 

Upper secondary qualification

Upper secondary qualifications include general upper secondary qualifications and vocational qualifications.

General upper secondary qualification

The general upper secondary programmes are academically oriented and theoretically based.

There are four main qualifications:

• Higher General Examination (stx, 3 years)
• Higher Technical Examination (htx, 3 years)
• Higher Commercial Examination (hhx, 3 years)
• Higher Preparatory Examination (hf, 2 years)

These programmes can be taken after passing the leaving examination of the Folkeskole, provided certain conditions are met.

Stx, htx and hhx give access to higher education. Hf including additional courses also gives access to higher education.

Hf without additional courses gives access to Academy Profession programmes and Professional Bachelor's programmes, but need supplementary courses to qualify for university Bachelor's programmes.

Vocational qualification

Vocational qualifications are obtained through vocational education and training (VET). The VET programmes prepare learners for work in specific trades and crafts. They alternate between school-based teaching and internship in a public or private enterprise.

These programmes can be taken after passing the leaving examination of the Folkeskole, provided certain conditions are met.

VET programmes vary in length, and some can be completed at various stages.

Vocational qualifications based on VET programmes of at least 3 years provide access to academy profession programmes.

The assessment "a vocational qualification" indicates a level corresponding to a Danish VET qualification of 3 years or more.

The assessment "a short vocational qualification" indicates a level corresponding to a Danish VET qualification of less than 3 years.

Higher education qualifications

Academy Profession degree

Academy Profession (AP) programmes are short-cycle higher education programmes combining theoretical knowledge with practical challenges. In order to be admitted to these programmes, you need a general upper secondary qualification or a vocational qualification of at least 3 years.

Most AP programmes take 2 years to complete (120 ECTS).

The programmes prepare students for occupational functions within their field of study. In some fields, they can take a 1½-year professional bachelor's top-up programme.

Professional Bachelor’s degree

The Professional Bachelor's programmes combine theoretical studies with a practically oriented approach and normally take 3 to 4 years (180-240 ECTS). The practical education is in the form of work-experience at a workplace and covers approximately 6 months in total.

These programmes prepare students for practice-based, complex, and development-oriented job functions within their field of study. On certain conditions, professional bachelors can enter a Master's programme (MA/MSc).

Bachelor’s degree

Bachelor's programmes are research-based programmes offered by universities. The programmes take 3 years to complete (180 ECTS).

The programmes prepare students for occupational functions and for further studies. The Bachelor's degree qualifies students for admission to a Master's programme (MA/MSc).

Master’s degree (MA/MSc) 

Master’s programmes are research-based programmes offered by universities and building on a relevant Bachelor's degree. With a few exceptions, the programmes consist of 75 or 120 ECTS credits. Master's programmes of 75 ECTS are being introduced from 2026 onwards.

The Master's degree qualifies students for a professional career and gives access to PhD studies..

PhD degree

The PhD degree is normally awarded after three years of higher education and research (180 ECTS) following a Master’s degree (MA/Msc).

Adult and continuing education

The Agency’s assessments may involve comparisons with adult/continuing higher education qualifications:

Academy Profession degree (adult/continuing higher education) 

Within adult/continuing higher education, Academy Profession programmes (Danish: akademiuddannelser) consist of 60 ECTS credits, combining theoretical studies with a practical approach.

Access requires general upper secondary education or a relevant vocational qualification. In addition, you must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience.

The programmes give access to Diploma programmes.

Diploma degree (adult/continuing higher education) 

Diploma programmes (Danish: diplomuddannelser) consist of 60 ECTS credits, combining theoretical studies with a practical approach.

Access requires a relevant educational qualification at Academy Profession level or higher and at least 2 years of relevant work experience.

The programmes give access to relevant master programmes (adult/continuing higher education).

Master degree (adult/continuing higher education) 

Master programmes (Danish: masteruddannelser) are research-based programmes offered by universities. They consist of 60 ECTS credits (in certain cases 90 ECTS credits).

Entry requirements are a relevant educational qualification at bachelor's level or higher and at least 2 years of relevant work experience.

Learn more about the Danish education system

• The Danish education system