The Danish Education System by Ida Holst

The system of education in Denmark


My name is Ida Stube Holst and I am a student at Ordrup Gymnasium- I am in my second year. Before this I went to Gentofte Skole from nursery class to 9th grade. In this assignment, I will write about the conditions and purposes of the Danish primary school, the Danish “gymnasium” and the more advanced studies. I personally want to take an education under the more advanced studies.

The Danish primary school includes one year in nursery class, nine years in primary school and an optional one year in 10th grade. The purpose of the primary school is for the students to prepare for further education and to give them the will to learn more. It is also to give the students knowledge and teach them how to understand other countries and cultures, plus getting knowledge about Danish history and culture. The compulsory subjects in the Danish primary school are: Danish, English, religion, history, social studies, gymnastics, music, maths geographic, and biology and nature subject, French or German.
During the 90’s international research showed that the Danish primary school level wasn’t as good as in the other countries. This resulted in some changes of the primary school being made, fx electronic tests were introduced. The tests are being used for an estimation of the students and for better cooperation with the parents.

The purpose with an education at the “gymnasium” is to get the examination for the school-leaving certificate and to prepare the students for more advanced studies. The “gymnasium” is general education, which means that the students must learn to relate reflectively and responsibly to the world around them. The education takes three years. In 2005 the gymnasium was restructured from being divided into a humanistic and mathematical line to be replaced by a new system. The system contains the first half year as a basic education and from there on 2,5 years of specialized studies. The 2,5 year have to be specializing in either humanistic, society science or natural science.

The more advanced studies are divided into the short advanced studies, the medium advanced studies and the long advanced studies. The short advanced studies include educations like laboratory technician, economist and computer scientist. These forms of education take up to three years and admission is based on the examination for the school leaving certificate or an education of industry.
The medium advanced studies include educations for becoming a journalist, teacher for the primary school, educationalist, librarian and nurse. The education takes 3-4 years and the admission is to the examination for the school leaving certificate.
The long more advanced studies include educations inside the humanistic area, society science area, natural science area, medicine, technology, theology areas. The admission is the examination for the school leaving certificate, and the education takes more than four years. These educations take place at universities.

I hope that I have been able to give an overall look at forms of education and possibilities we have here in Denmark.

- Ida Stube Holst