NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

IV. Recognition of foreign degrees
and study periods in Denmark
Academic recognition and credit transfer
Students wishing to continue their higher education studies in Denmark on the basis of a foreign academic degree or study
periods at an education institution outside Denmark must apply for admission as well as for recognition and credit transfer of
their previous studies directly to the institution where they want to pursue their studies. The relevant
studienævn (study committee) at the institution concerned decides the
eligibility of the student and evaluates the student’s degree of study
attainments.
Denmark has signed the Council of Europe and Unesco conventions concerning recognition of diplomas leading to admission
to universities as well as conventions concerning the equivalence of periods of university study/university qualifications, and a
convention from 1975 regarding recognition of study attainments in the Nordic countries.
Professional recognition
Non-regulated professions
Except for a few regulated professions (see below), persons with foreign credentials may obtain jobs in Denmark on equal
terms with Danes on the basis of their foreign diplomas. The potential employer evaluates the applicant’s credentials for the
job. Applicants with credentials which may not be well known in Denmark are recommended to include a comprehensive
description of their educational background in their application. However, the level of a foreign degree can be evaluated by a
Danish authority if necessary. This may be requested in writing either directly to a higher education institution which offers
comparable degrees or through the Secretariat of the Danish Rectors’ Conference. Degrees in architecture and engineering,
however, are evaluated by the appropriate professional organisations.
Regulated professions
Diplomas from EU and EFTA countries
A general system concerning mutual recognition of higher education diplomas for regulated professions in the EU and EFTA
countries has been implemented through Directive 89/48/EEC (mutual recognition of higher education diplomas awarded on
completion of professional
education and training of at least three years’ duration).
Denmark has designated the Erhvervs- og Selskabsstyrelsen (the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency) as coordinating
agency for the implementation of the directive. Further information on the procedures concerning recognition in accordance
with this directive can be obtained from the above agency and applications for recognition should also be forwarded to the
agency (see Appendix IV).
For professions for which separate directives concerning recognition apply (e.g. medical doctors, dentists, veterinary
surgeons, midwives and architects), applications must be forwarded directly to the competent authority (see Appendix IV).
Diplomas from other countries
Applications for recognition of diplomas for regulated professions from countries outside the Nordic and EU countries must
also be forwarded directly to the competent authority (see Appendix IV).