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Does project work, collaborating with businesses and taking part in professional discussions sound interesting? Then you will feel right at home in the Danish academic culture.

Ambitious, yet relaxed

Critical thinking and freedom of speech are core values in the Danish education system. Rather than simply accumulating and reproducing knowledge, you are encouraged to analyse, question and discuss the course curriculum.

There is a relaxed approach to learning in Denmark, and students and lecturers can find themselves joking together as well as engaging in vigorous debates during classes and lectures.

Active learning

Active learning means that you actively participate in classroom discussions, group work, presentations, project work, etc. and it is fundamental to the academic culture in Denmark. You are encouraged and expected to express yourself, to take chances and to work in collaboration with others. In this way, your education and knowledge will be directly applicable in your future workplace.

Denmark’s progressive academic culture and high educational standards are founded on open debate and problem-based learning methods.

Freedom with responsibility

As a student in Denmark, you have a great deal of freedom – as well as a great deal of responsibility. It is your own responsibility to register for the right courses and exams, and what you gain from teaching depends on how actively you participate and contribute in class.

Group work

Working in teams is central to Danish workplaces and the Danish education system, and as a student you will often be encouraged or even required to work in groups during your studies. This may include exams and maybe even your final thesis.

Teaching style 

Depending on your field of study, the teaching may combine traditional lectures and tutorials with teaching designed to help you develop strong problem-solving skills. This may include real-world cases and examples, collaborations with companies and industry, internships, company visits etc.

Accommodating attitude

The relationship between lecturers and students is often rather informal in Denmark, and it is expected that you call your lecturers by their first name – and they will call you by your first name.

There is little hierarchical distance between lecturers and students, and students are invited to ask questions and engage in professional discussions with lecturers.

ECTS credit system

ECTS is the European Credit Transfer System.

The system is a common European standard for measuring the workload of courses in higher education institutions to make them easier to compare. It helps students have their academic qualifications and study periods recognised by institutions in other European countries. 

When you apply to SDU (and most other European universities), you must check the ECTS requirements and check if your degree and courses match the requirements of your desired programme.

Academic year

The academic year is divided in semesters or in a quarter system.

Exam periods are usually in January and June, but they may start earlier. Always check with the programme secretary what applies to your education.

Orientation days and introduction days often start before the semester, so make sure to check the dates before planning your arrival.

 

Exams

You can find details about the exams for your study programme at MitSDU.dk. You will also receive information about the exam during the course.

Some exams are pass/fail, others have grades.

Critical thinking and problem solving are important academic values in Denmark. Often, you will find that there is not just one correct answer – so the argumentation you use to support your answer is often equally important.

Oral exams

Oral exams are quite common in Denmark. They may be unfamiliar to you, but participating in classroom discussions, groupwork and presentations during the semester will help you prepare for them.

Grading system

The Danish grading system is a 7-point grading scale. It is compatible with the grading scale from the European  Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

02 is the minimum grade for passing an exam. 

Grade
Description
ECTS grade

12

For an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all
aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses.

A

10

For a very good performance displaying a high level of command of
most aspects of the relevant material, with only minor weaknesses.

B

7

For a good performance displaying good command of the relevant
material but also some weaknesses.

C

4

For a fair performance displaying some command of the relevant
material but also some major weaknesses.

D

2

For a performance meeting only the minimum requirements
for acceptance.

E

00

For a performance which does not meet the
minimum requirements for acceptance. Failed.

F

-3

For a performance which is unacceptable in all respects. Failed.

Fx

Read more about the Danish grading system from the Danish Ministry of Higher Education.

Education system

University degrees are divided in two levels: bachelor's and master's. Admission to a master's degree requires a bachelor's degree.

Bachelor's degrees are 3 or 3,5 years and master's degrees are 2 years. 


University education levels

High school level is required for admission to a university at bachelor level, and bachelor level is required for admission to master level.

Bachelor's level

A bachelor’s degree is awarded after a 3-year programme (180 ECTS) at any of SDU’s five faculties.

Find your bachelor’s programme at SDU.

Bachelor of Engineering

A bachelor of engineering is a 3½-year programme plus a 6-month internship. They are very business-oriented engineering programmes, and you can enter the labour market directly after graduation. However, you are also qualified for further studies.

Master's level

A master’s degree is awarded after a 2-year programme (120 ECTS) at any of SDU’s five faculties. Admission to a master’s programme requires a bachelor’s degree.

Find your master’s programme at SDU. 

Last Updated 20.01.2025