Denmark

Excellence and creativity

Danish higher education has a long academic tradition that combines excellence with a dynamic and innovative culture in research as well as in teaching methods and learning environments.

High academic standards, active study environments, interdisciplinary studies and project-based activities are some of the characteristics of studying in Denmark.

Apart from attending lectures, students work together in groups where each member is expected to contribute actively to discussions as well as be capable of working independently. The student's own critical and analytical initiative is a very important element of higher education in Denmark.

The buildings at most Danish Institutions of higher education are modern and hold excellent up-to-date facilities such as libraries, lecture-, class- and study rooms, labs, IT, canteens etc. Computers are available at the libraries, in computer rooms and, at some institutions, even in the corridors - all students have free access to these facilities. The libraries are public, thus, all students can borrow books, tapes, language learning materials and the like for free.

Denmark invests large sums in education. Public expenditure on education amounts to 8 pct of the GDP, making Denmark the number one in the world. The number of Nobel Prizes per capita is the third highest in the world (The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2004, IMD).

English - no problem!

Danish universities, colleges and other institutions of higher education welcome international teachers and students - be they exchange students or degree students.
 You can choose between more than 1,000 individual courses and more than 130 study programmes taught in English. Some institutions also organize intensive summer programmes. 
As most Danes speak English, you will find it easy to live in Denmark even though you do not speak any Danish. Approximately 80% of the population speaks English and many speak French, German or Spanish. When you go shopping, use public transportation and visit official buildings etc. You will find that you can manage well by using English. Furthermore, foreign films are in their original version, having Danish subtitles – in cinema as well as in television.

A safe and modern society

 Denmark is the oldest monarchy in the world, yet it is today a modern welfare society and has virtually abolished social classes and the differences between rich and poor are small.
The principle behind the Danish welfare society, known as “the Scandinavian welfare model”, is that all citizens have access to social benefits. 
Denmark has an open economy and trade with the rest of the world is of great importance. It is a modern, knowledge-based society with an increasing post-industrial service economy.  In The Economist Intelligence Unit annual e-readiness ranking, Denmark was number one in 2004 and 2005.
 Foreigners who have visited Denmark often mention security and safety as the country's most distinctive features. Children walk to school on their own. It is not uncommon to see ministers riding their bikes in Copenhagen. Even the Queen can go shopping with a minimum of security.
This image of the safe environment is confirmed by the statistics, which show that Denmark has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Hygge – a unique Danish feature

 Hygge is an important element of the Danish mentality. The term is difficult to translate, but it is often, inadequately, translated as cosiness. Yet, it is much more than that.
Uncomplicated, unexaggerated and informal are some of the incredients in hygge. It is closely associated with having a good time together with friends or family and with eating and drinking. It may include a long dinner at home with a group of friends who know each another well. It may be a good time at the “fredagsbar”. In can be going out with some few friends for a cup of coffee on a Sunday afternoon. In may be listening to music, playing board games or just watching a TV-program together.
The term hygge is widely used and connected with different situations. For instance you can have a hygge-evening and a hygge-weekend. You can have a hygge-chat and you can even sit in a hygge-corner.
 Hyggelig is the adjective for hygge and is used about many things. A person can be described, as hyggelig, a café and a town – especially if it is a small town – can be hyggelig. Furniture for instance a sofa can be hyggelig and candlelight are definitely hyggelige.

A gateway to Europe

Denmark is located in the Northern part of Europe called Scandinavia. Denmark is north of Germany, south of Norway and southeast of Sweden. This geographic position makes Denmark an excellent gateway for those, who want to explore more of Europe and Scandinavia.
Denmark's infrastructure is well developed. The railway is extensive; the roads are of high standards and have a large capacity in terms of traffic load. The aviation system is among the most developed in the world and have connections to most of the big international airports in the world.
 For instance, you can fly to capitals like Amsterdam, Berlin and Stockholm in an hour, and, in less than two hours, you can go all the way to Paris, London, Dublin and Prague, to mention a few.

Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland and of 406 islands. The two largest and most densely populated islands are Zealand and Funen. There is a bridge connecting Jutland and Funen, the Little Belt Bridge. And one of the longest bridges in the world goes from Funen to Zealand, the Great Belt Bridge. The Oresund Bridge, between Denmark and Sweden, connects the two neighbouring countries.