If you want to acquire job-ready skills, you may want to consider going to a vocational school. In this article, I have curated a list of the best vocational schools in Denmark to make your search for vocational institutions across the world easy.
There are so many definitions for a vocational school but in its shortest form, a vocational school is an institution that trains and equips students with specific job-ready industry skills. If you want to become a hairdresser, carpenter, electrician, gardener, masonry, IT technician, nurse, or acquire other skilled professions, a vocational place is the best place for you.
Unlike a university or college degree that prepares students for a range of administrative roles, vocational schools prepare students for a specific job role and they spend their entire time perfecting that skill through internships and working at various enterprises to gain both practical and experiential skills. When they graduate from their specific program, they are awarded a diploma and immediately employed mostly by the enterprise they worked with while they were students.
Vocational schools may also be referred to as vocational institutes, polytechnics, trade schools, technical colleges, career centers, or career colleges. Just in case you see it used elsewhere or if you see it interchanged in this article, you will not get confused.
Now some people prefer going to a vocational school rather than university because it gets them job-ready and they may not need to pursue a college degree because they’re most likely to get a well-paying job after trade school. If you didn’t know this before, you know it now, and if this has sparked an interest in you to attend a vocational school instead then you will be pleased to know that we have since been publishing articles on vocational schools.
We already have articles on vocational training programs in Finland and free vocational training but then, we want you to have as many options as possible which is why we are adding vocational schools in Denmark to the list. This would also make your search for vocational schools much easier because looking for a suitable one on your own will become such a daunting task.
The vocational education and training system in Denmark offers over 100 different types of vocational education. These schools train students to become skilled professionals who are in demand in the job market. Some of Denmark’s vocational institutes accept students who are non-Danis citizens but there are certain requirements that the applicant must satisfy to be considered for acceptance.
How Long is Vocational School in Denmark?
According to the Ministry of Children and Education, vocational schools in Denmark take 3 to 3 and half years but can be shorter or longer for certain programs. Main programs are offered at EQF level 3 (1,5 years), at EQF level 4 (3 years), and some programs at EQF level 5 ( 5 years).
Do Vocational Schools in Denmark Accept International Students?
Yes, students who are non-citizens of Denmark can apply for a vocational training program in Denmark but they have to meet the following requirements:
- Have a grade average equivalent to 2.0 or higher in mathematics and the language of instruction or Danish.
- Have sufficient proficiency in Danish
- If you are 25 years or older then apply for VET for adults.
Best Vocational Schools in Denmark
The following are the best vocational schools in Denmark:
- Tech College
- Skive College
- Syddansk Vocational School
- Aarhus Tech
- Technical Education Copenhagen (TEC)
- Roskilde Technical College
- Hotel and Restaurant School
- KEA – Copenhagen Business Academy
- International People’s College
- U/NORD
1. Tech College
Tech College is one of Denmark’s largest vocational schools offering more than 50 vocational training programs for young people who want to enter careers like hairdressing, IT support, mechanic, etc. The college also offers continuing and further education for both employed and unemployed individuals in the private and public sectors. For those who want both a vocational education and study skills, Tech College offers a range of EUX courses.
Tech College is located in Øster Uttrup Vej 1, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark. You can start a program at this vocational institute whether you are 17 or 35 years old. There is a course for everyone.
2. Skive College
Skive College is also known as Skive Technical School and it is one of the best vocational schools in Denmark, as you keep reading, you will find out why.
Skive College is located in Kongsvingervej 1, 7800 Skive, Denmark, and offers EUD courses, HHX, continuing education programs, EUX courses, and HTX courses. What makes this school even more special is that they offer HTX courses for young people with autism to help them learn and progress in an environment that is conducive to them.
3. Syddansk Vocational School
Syddansk Vocational School was founded in 2008 when Odense Technical School and Vejle Technical School merged to be run as an independent institution. Today, Syddansk Vocational School has over 4,000 students, more than 750 employees, and more than 35 different vocational training programs as well as two technical high schools in Vejle and Odense.
Syddansk Vocational School offers a wide range of courses in food and hygiene, transport and logistics, property, green facilities and doorman, electricity, automation and networks, hairdressing, beauty and wellness, blacksmithing and industrial engineering, and media. Adult education is also offered. The specific location of this school is Munkebjergvej 130 5230 Odense Denmark.
4. Aarhus Tech
Aarhus Tech is a vocational school located in Halmstadgade 6 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark, and has been in existence since 1828. This school has come a long way in training talented and proud students who enter the Danish labor market with great professionalism. With three campuses, it has become one the largest business and technical schools in Denmark.
At Aarhus Tech, there are 28 vocational courses, 4 upper secondary education (STX, HTX, HF, and IB), 18 EUX courses, and AMU courses within 10 areas of competence.
5. Technical Education Copenhagen (TEC)
TEC is one of the largest vocational training colleges in Copenhagen, Denmark committed to training students to meet the demands of the labor market. The school is located in Stæhr Johansens Vej 7, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark, and has a history of over 145 years. The school is a merger of 6 institutions, and today has several campuses in Greater Copenhagen.
6. Roskilde Technical College
This is another large vocational school in Denmark situated in Roskilde, Denmark. Roskilde Technical College offers several vocational education and training programs and advanced technical education. There are courses for individuals ranging from primary school pupils to skilled workers. The school provides a wide range of programs under two main subject areas: food, agriculture, hospitality and technology and construction and transportation.
Under these subject areas are programs such as web developer, truck driver, roofer, plumber and heating installer, electrician, gardener, animal technician, greenkeeper and groundsman, data technician, carpenter, painter, technical designer, farrier, and many more.
7. Hotel and Restaurant School
If you are looking to become a chef or manage a restaurant in Denmark then this is the school for you. Hotel and Restaurant School is one of the best vocational schools in Denmark for everything cooking, hotel/restaurant management, and hotel management. The school is located in Vigerslev Allé 18, 2500 Valby. There is vocational education, vocational training for adults, EUX Gastro Science, and 10th grade education offered at the school.
Whether you are looking to switch careers and learn new skills or promote your existing skills to become better and smarter in your subject, this is the right school for you.
8. KEA – Copenhagen Business Academy
KEA is a reputable business academy in Guldbergsgade 29N 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark committed to developing and offering practice-oriented higher education at business academic and professional bachelor level. If you are looking to take your business skills to the next level this is the place for you. Students can choose from 25 full-time courses to further their business knowledge and learn new business strategies.
Aside from business education, KEA offers education in construction, IT, health & optometry, and installation. You don’t just sit in a classroom to learn, you will work with industry professionals to learn what they know and build your own experience as well.
9. International People’s College
Are you from outside Denmark but wish to enroll in one of the vocational colleges in Denmark? Not just any vocational college but one that has a good record of accepting international students, well, here is the International People’s College offering all of its courses in English language and has students from over 30 different countries. The school has developed an environment that is vibrant and welcoming to students from different parts of the world.
International People’s College is a Folk High School which is a special type of school with a focus on personal and educational development. There are no fixed curriculums and no grades are given. You decide what kind of subjects and classes you want, and you are taught by teachers who love what they do.
10. U/NORD
U/NORD is a vocational institution in Hjortehøjsvej 1, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. The school accepts students from 10th grade through upper secondary school and vocational training to young adults and adults who want to start an education. This educational institution, U/NORD, has over 14,000 students and trainees and an overall education portfolio consisting of vocational 10th grade, upper secondary education in the form of HHX, HTX, and STX, as well as the mercantile and technical vocational education EUD, EUX, EUV, and EUS.
If you have an interest in entrepreneurship and business, crafts and professions, language, communication and society, tech and innovation, natural sciences and health, and international outlook then U/NORD is the place for you.
Conclusion
Now, you have a list of the 10 best vocational training colleges in Denmark at your fingertips. If any of the schools piques your interest, you can either reach them via phone call, email, or visit their physical address. In fact, applicants are encouraged to visit the school, at least, once before they begin with their application.
Visiting the school will help you know whether it is the right place for you.