IB Diploma Completed. What's Next?

Many of our IB students express, either in their application or shortly after arrival, a wish to continue their higher education at a Danish university — and perhaps even to live and work in Denmark in the future.

We warmly welcome this ambition. Like most countries, Denmark needs well-educated and motivated young people for the future. If students are considering this path, the following points are essential to keep in mind when preparing for studies and life in Denmark.

Higher Education in Denmark

Denmark offers two main types of higher education institutions — Universities and University Colleges — each with a distinct focus and learning style.

Universities

Admission require an issued IB Diploma
Research-based and academically oriented.
Offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs.
Emphasize theory, analysis, and independent study.
Provide strong opportunities for continuing to postgraduate studies.
Typical degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc).

Examples: Aarhus University (AU), University of Copenhagen (KU), Aalborg University (AAU).

University Colleges (e.g. VIA University College)

Admission is possible without an issued IB Diploma, but specific educational requirements must be met.
Profession-oriented and practice-based.
Offer Professional Bachelor’s degrees only.
Combine classroom teaching with long-term internships or placements.
Focus on preparing students directly for a specific career.
Typical degrees: Professional Bachelor’s in Nursing, Teaching, Design & Business, or Engineering Technology.

Examples: VIA University College, UCN, Absalon, UCL.

General Tips for Choice of Electives

Choose flexibility Keep a mix of science and social science if you’re unsure.
Language matters English A or B HL often meets university language requirements.
Plan ahead Check subject requirements for specific programs early. Especially for Medicine, Engineering, and Economics.

SU – Danish State Educational Grant

The Danish government provides financial support (SU) of approximately €1,000 per month to active students.

The purpose is to ensure that young people can maintain a reasonable standard of living while studying. Due to EU regulations on equal treatment, EU/EEA students over 18 may also apply for SU. However, unlike Danish students, they must work a minimum of 10-12 hours per week in Denmark to qualify for the grant.

Gap Year (Sabbatår 🇩🇰)

Most Danish students take at least one — and often several — gap years before starting university. These years are typically spent working, travelling, volunteering, or gaining valuable life experience.

We strongly recommend that our students also take at least one gap year to stay the same age as their Danish classmates; ideally using the time to work in Denmark and become more familiar with Danish and the general lifestyle.

Jobs such as warehouse assistant, healthcare helper, or sales assistant are common choices that not only strengthen Danish language skills but can often be continued part-time once university begins, helping meet the SU work requirement.

Learning Danish

For students planning to study and eventually settle in Denmark, learning Danish is highly recommended.

Joining a Danish language course and connecting with a mentor family to practice speaking can make a significant difference in integration. Danish language skills are often essential during internships or company placements, and later when applying for jobs, including the part-time jobs required for SU eligibility.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for higher education in Denmark is 15 March at 12 AM.

Students who plan to continue directly to university after completing the IB must apply based on predicted grades (available from the school’s academic counselor). Final IB results are then submitted in agreement with the counselor directly to the university once Cambridge releases them in early July.

Diploma Award Conditions

A student is awarded the IB Diploma if the following criteria are fulfilled:

At least 24 points total are achieved.
No “E” grade is received in TOK or the Extended Essay.
CAS requirements are fully met.
No grade 1 in any subject.
No more than two grades of 2 across all subjects.
At least 12 points are achieved in the three Higher Level (HL) subjects combined.
At least 9 points are achieved in the three Standard Level (SL) subjects combined.

If these conditions are not met, the diploma is not awarded, even if the total score exceeds 24 points.

Typical Achievement Levels

24–29 points: Pass level; diploma awarded.
30–36 points: Good to excellent performance; sufficient for most Danish university programs.
37–45 points: Excellent performance; competitive for selective international or medical/engineering programs.

IB Subject Guide for Future Studies in Denmark

Even if you haven't decided on your final study path yet, choosing the right IB subjects can keep your options open. Below is a quick guide to recommended subjects for different fields of study.

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