04 - Denmark - General Objectives

The higher educational system on tertiary level is divided into short-cycle education programmes, medium-cycle education programmes, long-cycle education programmes and institutions for the education in arts. In the following the general objectives of all four divisions will be presented.

Short-cycle higher education

Short-cycle higher education (non-university level) includes programmes mainly in the commercial and technical fields. Diplomas in short-cycle programmes are awarded after typically 2-year vocational academy programme ( erhvervsgrunduddannelse) building upon either relevant vocational education and training (plus adequate general upper secondary courses) or general upper secondary education/commercial and technical upper secondary education.

Apart from theoretical subjects, programmes are usually completed with a three-month project. The fields of study are for example: agriculture, textile and design, food industry, construction, hotel and tourism, computer science, industrial production, laboratory technician, IT and communication and international marketing. Students may, on certain conditions, be awarded credits when they continue in a medium- or long-cycle higher education programme

It is the aim of the programmes to qualify students for the performance of practical, vocational tasks on an analytical basis. The programmes are furthermore to be organized in such a way that they will meet the general needs for vocational qualifications. Furthermore it is the aim of the short-cycle programmes that the graduates find employment at specialist or middle-management level.

Medium-cycle higher education

Diplomas are awarded after a 3- to 4-year programme at a level corresponding to a university Bachelor programme offering professionally oriented programmes (Professional Bachelor):

• The Academy Profession Degree (AP degree) (Danish title: profession +(AK)) is awarded after two years of study (120 ECTS points)
• The Professional Bachelor’s degree is awarded after 3 to 4 1/2 years of study (180-270 ECTS points) at the level corresponding to that of university Bachelor’s programmes.

The medium-cycle programmes usually prepare students for a specific profession. Examples are: Teacher training programmes, programmes in social work, journalism, nursing, engineering etc. and gives the title professionsbachelor

The Profession Bachelor degrees are awarded on completion of programmes that meet a number of criteria, such as research and development.

These programmes provide students with theoretical knowledge as well as knowledge of application of theory to professions and industry. All programmes include compulsory periods of practical training/in-service training and require the submission of a project/project paper.

Most programmes give access to further studies in the same field, i.e. a Master programme or, on certain conditions, a specific Master programme.

Long-cycle higher education

The main objectives of the universities are according to "the Act on Universities" to conduct research and offer research-based education at the highest international level. In doing so the universities shall ensure a balanced relationship between research and education, on a regular basis screen for the relevancy of its research and educational disciplines, prioritise and develop them further, and disseminate knowledge of scientific methods and results. The universities shall furthermore collaborate with society and contribute to the development of international collaboration. The universities scientific and educational findings should in this way contribute to the further growth, welfare and development of society. Finally the universities shall contribute to ensuring that the most recent knowledge within relevant disciplines is made available to non-research oriented higher education.

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