The Danish Educational System – A World Leader

What is an AP degree and what is the difference between an AP, Top up and a Bachelor degree in the Danish educational system?

The study programs offered by the Danish higher educational system are of two types – AP degrees and whole bachelor’s degrees.

What is an AP degree? An AP program (Academy Profession) – upon its graduation the student receives a diploma for professional qualification (the first part of the professional bachelor), its duration is two years. Upon completion, the student receives the degree “specialist”. Within these 2 years, the students spend one semester at a compulsory internship, at a company in Denmark or in another country around the world. From the very beginning of your education you need to be actively interested and looking for a suitable company in order to secure your dream future internship. Danish and international companies in Denmark often visit the Danish academies to get a direct contact with ponential new interns and usually future employees. The students in the AP programs are preferred by certain employers because the training in these programs is extremely practically oriented.

After completing the AP degree, it is possible to continue your education with a Top-up bachelor’s program of your choice, lasting 1.5 years (where you have to do another internship). After graduating from the Top-up program you will obtain a professional bachelor’s degree with 180-270 credits (ECTS points). The Danish educational system in gives the advantage of studying an AP specialty and different BA Top-up programs. After the first two years the students have a much clearer idea of ​​their future career development direction you want to pursue. If you complete an AP degree in Service, Hospitality and Tourism Management, for example, you can choose between the Top-up programs – International Hospitality Management, Sport Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and International Sales and Marketing. Furthermore, you can get two diplomas in two different areas.

Какви са разликите между AP и бакалавърската програма в образователната система?

Както вече казахме, AP програмите могат да се комбинират с различни BA Top-up програми – от вас зависи в коя област искате да се усъвършенствате. Това е възможно, тъй като по време на обучението ви при AP степента сте получили достатъчно знания и часове по маркетинг, икономика и други предмети, които се изискват за всяка една Top-up специалност.

В случай, че изберете AP степен по Computer Science (компютърни науки), ще можете да продължите BA Top-up степен в Software Development, Web Development, E-Concept Development, както и Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Също така, може да продължите с BA Top-up програмата в университет в друг град или държава.

Bachelor or Professional Bachelor?

In general, the majors that are more humanitarian-oriented are defined as bachelors. In Denmark, the bachelor’s degree lasts 3 1/2 years and after completing it you receive 180 credits (ECTS points). The more technically oriented programs are defined as  professional bachelor degrees. Both types of bachelors have the same weight, but with different practical orientation during the education.

In both cases, whether you choose an AP major in combination with a BA Top-up program or focus directly on a full bachelor’s program, you will receive an educational degree that will allow you to apply for master’s programs in Denmark and abroad. This is simply the way the educational system in this Scandinavian country is organized.

What we would recommend is that you get the more practical activites, thanks to the internships during the education. This will give you a clearer idea of ​​your future work in the sector.

Master Studies in Denmark

The master’s degree in Denmark lasts 2 years. Two semesters of lectures, one as a internship in a company of your choice and one to write your master’s project along with a master thesis defense as a final exam. To be accepted, you must have completed a professional bachelor’s or bachelor’s degree in a particular specialty. Each educational institution with the status of a university in Denmark offers master’s degrees in both Danish and English. The number of credits you will receive after graduation is 120. There are over 100 master’s programs in English in various fields. Some of the most ambitious students choose to continue their education and get a PhD. To do this, you must have high grades during your master’s degree.