Maritime training and education in Denmark is under the management and control of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science – Danish Agency for Higher Education. At present, all maritime programmes are offered in Danish only.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science – Agency for Higher Education – is responsible for all maritime training and education as well as training ships. For the educations of Ratings and Officers (Deck and Engine), the relevant institutions comprise:
Svendborg Søfartsskole ( website is only in Danish)
Important maritime education issues pass through the Maritime Education Council, the members of which are representatives of ship owners and seafarers associations, lecturers and student organisations, the Royal Danish Navy, the Danish Maritime Authority and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. The Maritime Education Council is advisory.
From summer 2027, a Bachelor of Marine Engineering programme will be offered in English.
In addition, some voyages with the training ship Skoleskibet Danmark are conducted in English.
The maritime educational institutions offer education programmes for the Danish merchant fleet, the maritime industry, the fishing industry, the energy sector and the technical industry etc.
The Ship’s Officer program is a broad maritime leadership education that combines both technical and nautical disciplines.
The program consists of a junior and a senior part, alternating between theoretical studies on shore and practical sea training.
Students learn about navigation, marine engineering, safety, and leadership, and qualify to work as both deck officer and engineer officer.
The Ship Master is responsible for navigation, planning, and the safe operation of the vessel, as well as for leadership of the crew and management on board.
The program provides knowledge of navigation, maritime law, meteorology, safety, and maritime management, and qualifies graduates to command merchant ships in both national and international waters.
The Marine Engineer program is a technical leadership education that combines theory and practice in mechanics, electrical systems, automation, energy, and management.
Students learn to operate, maintain, and understand complex technical systems both at sea and on land, gaining competencies in operations, sustainability, and technological innovation.
The Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture and Maritime Design focuses on the development, design, and optimization of ships and maritime structures.
Students gain knowledge of hydrodynamics, structural engineering, materials science, and sustainable design, as well as skills in project work and technical innovation within the maritime sector.
Note: This program replaces the former Ship’s Machinist education, which is now closed for enrollment.
The Maritime Technology program is a practice-oriented technical education focusing on the operation, maintenance, and optimization of ships’ technical systems.
Students acquire knowledge of marine engineering, automation, energy, and management, and gain competencies for working with technical operations and innovation in the maritime industry — both at sea and on land.
The Ship Master is the highest-ranking officer on board and is responsible for the vessel’s navigation, safety, cargo, and crew.
This program provides a comprehensive maritime management education focusing on navigation, maritime law, ship systems, operations, and leadership.
It can be completed without an upper secondary background through a maritime access route based on sea service and preparatory courses.
The Master (Home Trade) acts as navigator and leader on small merchant vessels operating in near-coastal waters, with responsibility for navigation, safety, and crew management.
The program provides competencies in navigation, maritime law, meteorology, and management, qualifying graduates to serve as mate or master in domestic and nearby waters.
The Master (Restricted) serves as navigator and master on medium-sized vessels operating in both national and international waters.
The program offers advanced training in navigation, maritime management, maritime law, meteorology, and safety, and qualifies graduates to command vessels up to 500 gross tons or serve as officer on larger ships.
The Fishing Skipper, 1st Class program trains students to lead crews and command large fishing vessels in both Danish and international waters.
Subjects include navigation, meteorology, oceanography, biology, medical care, and maritime leadership.
It is intended for professional fishers or holders of a Fishing Skipper, 3rd Class certificate seeking career advancement.
The Fishing Skipper, 3rd Class program focuses on navigation, crew management, vessel operations, safety, and administration on larger fishing vessels in near-coastal operations.
Graduates qualify to work as mate, master, or supervisor on small and medium-sized fishing vessels.
Note: The Ship’s Machinist program is closed for new enrollments.
Those interested in similar technical training in operation and maintenance can refer to the Maritime Technologist program.
Ship’s machinists are responsible for ensuring all onboard machinery functions properly, typically serving on smaller merchant or large fishing vessels.
The Basic Maritime Education program is a short, practical course providing fundamental skills for work at sea. It includes sea safety, fire-fighting, first aid, occupational safety, seamanship, and basic navigation.
This program serves as a foundation for further maritime training such as Ship’s Assistant, Ship Mechanic, or Ship Master.
The Ship’s Assistant works on the operation and maintenance of vessels — both on deck and in the engine department.
The program provides basic maritime skills enabling graduates to join the crew on merchant ships, ferries, and other vessels.
Ship Mechanics work on the construction, maintenance, and repair of ships and maritime installations.
The program combines mechanics, metalwork, and electrical engineering, providing competencies to install engines, pumps, and other onboard systems.
A Ship’s Cook is responsible for preparing meals on board and ensuring that the crew receives healthy and varied food during voyages.
The program combines traditional culinary training with specific maritime requirements such as hygiene, provisioning, and food management at sea.
The Commercial Fisher program teaches the use of fishing gear and methods, operation of engines and navigation equipment, and safety and first aid at sea.
It provides practical skills in fishing operations, vessel handling, and maintenance, qualifying graduates to work as fishers on all types of vessels and as masters of fishing vessels up to 15 meters in length.
HF Maritime is a specialized upper secondary program lasting approximately three years, combining general HF subjects with maritime training such as seamanship, navigation, and ship technology.
Graduates receive both an HF diploma and a basic maritime qualification, opening the way to a career at sea or further maritime education.
The Ferry Navigator is responsible for navigation, safety, and passenger service on small domestic ferries.
The program combines theoretical and practical instruction in navigation, seamanship, communication, and electrical systems, including school-based learning and onboard training periods.
Graduate programmes: skipper, ship’s chef, and ship machinist etc. The ship assistant, skip mechanic and commercial fisher are vocational education.
The Agency for Higher Education and Science cooperates with The Danish Maritime Authority and the Danish maritime and shipping industry to improve the maritime educations, partly to meet the demands of the maritime sector and partly to fulfil the aim that the seafeares are some of the best qualified in the global maritime workforce.
Translations do not exist in English. We refer to the Danish orders
Orders on training programmes for maritime educations
