A Master's in Denmark is called a Candidatus. The title is built from the degree (Cand.) and the discipline you study, so the name tells you what field it's in. It's a two-year, research-based degree worth 120 ECTS, and it ends with a thesis.
If you're weighing up where to apply, here's what the degree actually involves.
What “Candidatus” means in practice
Think of it simply: Candidatus is the Danish word for a master's. When you see a programme described as a Cand. something, that's the same level of qualification as a master's elsewhere. It's an advanced, research-based course that builds on your bachelor's.
The full degree takes two years and is measured as 120 ECTS. All Danish higher education institutions use ECTS credits, and they follow national rules on degree structures, teacher qualifications and examinations, so the credit system and the standards are consistent wherever you study.
You can see how these sit alongside bachelor's and other levels on our master's level page.
What you actually study
A candidatus is more structured than it might sound from the outside. Typically it's made up of:
- Compulsory courses, the core of your discipline.
- Elective courses, where you shape the degree around your interests.
- Thematic courses, taught around a particular theme.
Many programmes let you choose either a general track or a specialisation. That choice matters: it affects which courses you take and often what your thesis looks like.
The teaching model most Danish universities use is problem-based learning. In practice that means a mix of lectures, seminars, exercises, study visits and project work, you're not just sitting in lectures.
The one-year option
Since 2021, universities can also offer a one-year research-based academic postgraduate programme of 60 ECTS as an ordinary full-time master's. If you want a shorter route, ask the institution which of its programmes is offered this way.
The thesis is the centrepiece
Every candidatus ends with a thesis based on a large project. That project corresponds to six or nine months of work, and the final dissertation is normally 30, 60 ECTS.
Some universities allow group theses. If that appeals to you, or if you'd rather work alone, check the programme's rules before you apply. It's a real difference in how the final year feels.
Fees, and who pays
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, and each institution sets its own. We don't quote a figure here because it varies. Fees shown on this site are as listed in the Study in Denmark register, so confirm the current amount directly with the institution before you budget.
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally need a residence permit for study before arriving. You apply 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.
Applying: where to start
Applications are assessed by the institutions themselves, even where a central system coordinates them. For undergraduate applications, the central route is optagelse.dk, with deadlines of 15 March and 5 July, both at 12 noon CET. For master's programmes, the institution's own deadline applies, so check it directly.
A sensible order of work:
- Decide your discipline, that determines your Cand. title.
- Shortlist programmes and check whether they offer a general track or a specialisation.
- Confirm the tuition fee and the application deadline with the institution.
- If you're outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, look at the SIRI permit process early.
Our catalogue currently lists 24 Danish higher education institutions and 422 programmes imported from the Study in Denmark register. You can browse universities or find programmes to build a shortlist. If you want to see the whole landscape at once, look through all universities in Denmark and compare what each one offers at master's level.
Where the degree leads
After the candidatus you have two main routes: enter the labour market, or continue to a PhD. The thesis is often what makes that choice clearer, a substantial research project tends to tell you whether you want more of that.
Either way, plan your finances and paperwork before you commit. Check studyindenmark.dk and the institution's own pages for programme-specific details, nyidanmark.dk for permits, and su.dk if you want to know what student support you may be entitled to.
Sources
- Study in Denmark, what you can study, master's programmes
- Study in Denmark, what you can study
- Study in Denmark, how to apply
- Study in Denmark, tuition fees and scholarships
- Study in Denmark, residence permits for non-EU/EEA citizens
- Study in Denmark, guarantee for a quality experience
Frequently asked questions
What is a candidatus degree in Denmark?
Candidatus is the Danish name for a master's degree. The title combines the degree (Cand.) with the discipline you studied. It's an advanced, research-based course taken after a bachelor's, and it's the standard master's qualification at Danish universities.
How long does a master's in Denmark take?
The standard candidatus takes two years and is worth 120 ECTS. Since 2021, universities can also offer a one-year research-based postgraduate programme of 60 ECTS as an ordinary full-time master's, so check which type a specific programme is.
Do I have to write a thesis for a Danish master's?
Yes. Every candidatus ends with a thesis based on a large project corresponding to six or nine months of work, and the final dissertation is normally 30, 60 ECTS. Some universities allow group theses, so check the programme's rules.
Do international students pay for a master's in Denmark?
Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland and for those with the same status as Danish citizens under EU law. Other full-degree students pay tuition fees set by each institution, so confirm the amount with the university.