For a bachelor's degree, you do not apply to a university directly. You apply through optagelse.dk, the national admission website, and the institutions then assess your application. The deadlines are 15 March and 5 July, both at 12 noon CET (as of the current Study in Denmark guidance).
You can list up to 8 programmes at the same time, but you will only get one offer. Coordinated Admission (KOT) makes sure it is for the highest-priority programme you qualify for. That order matters more than most people expect.
What optagelse.dk actually does
Applications are coordinated centrally but assessed locally. That means one website handles the paperwork for every undergraduate application, while each institution decides whether you meet its entry requirements. You will use optagelse.dk if you are applying for Bachelor's, Professional Bachelor's or Academy Profession programmes and you meet the general entry, specific entry and language requirements. The online forms on that route are for undergraduate studies only, master's applications work differently and you should check with the institution directly.
You do not need to apply to a single institution. You are applying through a shared system that lets you name multiple programmes in one place. To see what is available before you start, use our programme search to find programmes by subject and institution.
Choose your programmes and set the order
The priority order is the part that trips people up. You can list up to 8 programmes, but KOT will only make one offer, the highest-priority programme you are qualified for. So you should put your first choice at the top even if you think it is a long shot, and make sure every programme below it is one you would genuinely accept.
You can edit the order of priority, delete applications and upload annexes on optagelse.dk until 5 July at 12.00. Offers arrive on 28 July. That gives you room to change your mind after you press submit, but not after the July deadline.
To compare institutions before you rank them, browse our list of Danish universities, we currently count 24 higher education institutions, with 422 programmes imported from the Study in Denmark register. Those are our own catalogue counts, not official totals.
Documents, signature page and the bit people miss
You upload your diploma and other documentation to optagelse.dk. Each institution sets its own deadlines for documentation, so check those separately, the 15 March and 5 July dates are for the application itself, not necessarily your paperwork.
After the digital application, optagelse.dk generates a signature page. You must sign it by hand and send it separately to the institution. You cannot upload it. If you miss that step, your application is not complete.
What to prepare
- Your qualifying diploma or certificate, ready to upload.
- Language test results or other evidence you meet the language requirement.
- A printer, or a way to print, sign and post the signature page.
- The institution's own documentation deadline, written down somewhere you will see it.
Fees, permits and what happens after you apply
Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, and for students entitled to the same status as Danish citizens under EU law. Other full-degree students pay tuition fees set by each institution. Any fee you see on this site is shown as listed in the Study in Denmark register, so confirm it with the institution before you budget around it.
If you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you normally need a residence permit for study before you come. Applications go through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), and the details are on nyidanmark.dk. SIRI decides on permits; the institution decides on admission. Do not treat one as a guarantee of the other.
All Danish higher education institutions use ECTS credits and follow national rules on teacher qualifications, degree structures and examinations, so the credit system will look familiar across institutions even when the programme content differs.
Common questions before you press send
Can I apply to more than one university?
Yes, through optagelse.dk. You can list up to 8 programmes, and KOT will make sure you receive no more than one offer, at the highest possible priority. That is why the order matters.
What if I miss the deadline?
The deadlines are 15 March and 5 July, both at 12 noon CET. You can edit your priority order, delete applications and upload annexes until 5 July at 12.00, but not after. Check whether the institution has any separate documentation deadline that falls earlier.
Do I need to send anything by post?
Yes. The signature page generated after your digital application must be signed by hand and sent separately to the institution. It cannot be uploaded to optagelse.dk.
Where can I see all the institutions?
You can browse all universities in Denmark on this site, or check the official Study in Denmark register at studyindenmark.dk. Our catalogue currently lists 24 institutions and 422 programmes.
If you are still narrowing down where to apply, start with the universities page and then check each institution's own site for its specific entry requirements. The general rule is simple: optagelse.dk for the application, the institution for the answer.
Sources
- Study in Denmark, how to apply
- Study in Denmark, tuition fees and scholarships
- Study in Denmark, guarantee for a quality experience
- nyidanmark.dk, residence permits for non-EU/EEA citizens (SIRI)
- This site's catalogue, imported from the Study in Denmark register
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply to university in Denmark as an international student?
Undergraduate applications go through optagelse.dk, the national admission website, not directly to a single institution. You upload your documents there and the institutions assess your application. The deadlines are 15 March and 5 July, both at 12 noon CET.
How many programmes can I apply for on optagelse.dk?
You can list up to 8 programmes at the same time. Coordinated Admission (KOT) makes sure you receive no more than one offer, at the highest possible priority, so put your top choice first.
What is the signature page on optagelse.dk?
After your digital application, optagelse.dk generates a signature page. You must sign it by hand and send it separately to the institution, it cannot be uploaded. Check the institution's own documentation deadlines as well.
Is university free in Denmark for EU students?
Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, and for students entitled to the same status as Danish citizens under EU law. Other full-degree students pay tuition fees set by each institution.