Overview of the General Education System

The education system of Denmark has historical roots traced back to the sixteenth century, during which the Roman Catholic Church initially governed educational provisions. The advent of the Protestant Reformation in Denmark became one of the first countries in Europe to establish a national Lutheran Church. This shift heavily influenced the direction of the country’s education.

In 1536, the state formally assumed control over grammar schools from the Church. This year marks the beginning of a centralized, state-governed education system, which has evolved in response to the nation’s socioeconomic development. Until World War II, Denmark remained an agricultural society, after which industrialization and expansion of the service sector prompted comprehensive educational modernization.

In addition, a defining feature of Danish education is the folk high school movement, which was initiated in 1852 by Kristen Kold. These institutions are inspired by the ideas of educator Nicolai Grundtvig and emphasize nonformal adult education, democratic citizenship, and rural enlightenment. Today, these figures continue to influence Denmark’s lifelong learning ethos.

The current Danish education system is comprise of two parallel tracks, the ordinary education system and the adult and continuing education system. The ordinary system includes early childhood education and care (ECEC), integrated primary and lower secondary schooling, general and vocational on upper secondary education, and a structured higher education sector.

Denmark’s educational system provides equal and tuition-free access to education. This allows all citizens the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to participate fully in society. The Ministry of Higher Education and Science and its affiliated agencies handle the education system. This includes the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, which coordinates education policy, implementation, and inter-institutional operations across various sectors.

Instruction in Danish public schools and most private institutions is conducted in Danish, which is considered as the national language. However, students are also required to learn English as a foreign language beginning in Grade 1. A second foreign language, either German or French, is also introduced by Grade 5, from Grade 7 onwards. Students may also choose to study a third foreign language, such as Spanish, which supports Denmark’s appreciation for multilingualism. Although public education is predominant, the system includes private, international, and religious schools. Nevertheless, only a few of these offer instruction in a language other than Danish.

Recent statistics show Denmark’s educational outcomes and access. According to the World Bank in 2022, the enrollment rate in tertiary education was 84.59%. Denmark also claims one of the highest literacy rates globally, with a 99% literacy rate for both men and women. These numbers demonstrates the country’s success in ensuring that nearly everyone possesses basic reading and writing skills. These outcomes are further supported by widespread early childhood participation, with 98% of children aged three enrolled in public kindergartens.

Compulsory education in Denmark spans ten years and begins when a child turns six. This legally mandated period includes one year of pre-primary education, called form level 0. Although early childhood education is not compulsory, Denmark maintains a high level of participation in this stage of education, highlighted by the enrollment rate of 98% of three-year-olds enrolled in public kindergarten programs.

The early childhood education is followed by nine years of primary and lower secondary education, which encompass levels 1 through 9. In addition to the standard ten years of compulsory schooling, students can attend a voluntary tenth year, which many use to strengthen academic performance or prepare for upper secondary education.

The structure of compulsory education is organized under the Folkeskole, also known as the Grundskole, which functions as an integrated school system managed at the municipal level.

Educational progression within the Folkeskole is generally automatic, and students move through each level with their peer unit unless specific academic interventions are required. The system emphasizes both academic and personal development, which also prepares students for a variety of pathways in upper secondary education or vocational training. The smooth transition between educational stages and the inclusive nature of the curriculum help ensure that all students receive a comprehensive and supportive educational experience throughout their formative years.

Denmark’s higher education system is comprehensive, highly structured, and internationally recognized for its quality and accessibility. The Ministry of Higher Education and Science manages the governance and accreditation of higher education in conjunction with specialized agencies that ensure institutional quality and academic standards across the system.

The system consists of 37 officially recognized institutions categorized into several distinct types. Public universities, of which there are eight, are research-intensive institutions offering bachelor’s to doctoral-level programs. Examples include Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The DTU, established in 1829, is well known for its focus on engineering, natural sciences, sustainability, and industry collaboration.

In addition to these universities, eight university colleges in Denmark primarily offer professionally oriented bachelor’s degrees, often preparing students for teaching, healthcare, and social work careers.

Furthermore, Denmark has nine institutions specializing in arts education, such as the Royal Danish Academy of Music and the National Film School of Denmark, which provide advanced training in music, design, film, and architecture. The business education sector includes another nine academies focused on undergraduate programs in business and management. Maritime education is also an essential system component, with three dedicated schools offering training for marine engineering and navigation careers.

Danish higher education offers a range of qualifications, from short-cycle programs offered by business academies (Academy Profession degrees) to medium-cycle professional bachelor's degrees offered by university colleges. Universities also provide long-cycle master’s and doctoral degrees. These pathways are designed to be flexible and stackable, enabling students to pursue higher qualifications or transition into the labor market at different stages.

Admission into higher education requires completing an upper secondary program such as the Higher General Examination Programme (STX) or the Higher Commercial Examination Programme (HHX). Students may also access higher education through vocational upper secondary routes or adult education pathways.

Denmark’s high gross tertiary enrollment rate of 84.59% as of 2022 and its 99% adult literacy rate accentuate the country’s success in promoting widespread access and participation in postsecondary education.