Higher education policy in Denmark

This chapter discusses higher education policy in Denmark. Over 90% of Danish children attend the public education system, that is, the Folkeskole, for the 9-year compulsory learning span. The Folkeskole covers primary and the lower secondary education programs, including an optional tenth year after the compulsory ninth year. There are three types of upper secondary education, primarily for the age group of 16–19 years—general upper secondary education; vocational education and training; and basic social and health education. General upper secondary education qualifies students for higher education, while the two other types primarily have a vocational orientation. At the general upper secondary level there are four different programs. The first, the Gymnasium, is a coherent 3-year education program that can be started after the ninth year in the Folkeskole. The Gymnasium is completed by appearing in the upper secondary school-leaving examination that qualifies for admission to universities and other higher education institutions. The second, the so-called HF courses, offers general education that is also a preparation for continued studies.