When is a study programme ‘unaccredited’ in Denmark?

In May 2025, the Ministry of Immigration and Integration introduced certain exceptions to the work rights provided by study permits for students enrolled on certain types of study programmes defined as ‘non-accredited’ or ikke-statsligt godkendte.

This means that international students whose programmes are not accredited can no longer work in Denmark under the rights provided by their student visas. Usually, study permits granted to non-EU nationals give them the right to work in Denmark on a limited basis.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED Can you work on a Danish study permit?

But under the new rules, nationals of non-EU countries enrolled in non-government accredited higher education programmes will no longer be given these limited working rights.

They also lose the right to six months of post-study job-seeking residence, and the right to bring accompanying family members under the terms of their study permits.

EU nationals have the right to work in Denmark under the EU’s free movement provisions, while government-accredited study programmes such as university degrees and many other types of programme are not affected by the Danish rule change.

‘Non-accredited’ programmes do not belong to the Danish higher education system and credentials awarded by them are not qualifications of the Danish higher education system. However, study permits can still be granted for their study based on assessment of the individual programmes.

Information about when a certain study programme is considered accredited or unaccredited is detailed on the Ministry of Higher Education and Science website.

For a programme to be accredited, it has to take place at a publicly recognised higher education institution, the ministry writes.

Essentially, this means it is approved as a higher education institution under Danish laws.

Advertisement

It can also be approved by a ministry to provide education programmes on a supervised basis, with entry requirements of graduating upper secondary school or the equivalent level.

It’s worth keeping in mind that the title ‘university’ is protected in Denmark, so any higher education institution must be recognised as a university in keeping with Danish legislation to be able to call itself a university. University programmes are therefore accredited.

This may not be the case under laws in other countries, which may not necessarily make ‘university’ a protected term.

The ministry website also has a database of Danish recognised higher education institutions, where you can find information about all recognised institutions which have existed in the country since 2000.

Even if an institution is accredited, however, not all of its programmes may be publicly approved.

A more complex – though still not necessarily exhaustive – can be found within the text of the Danish legislation on study permits, which was updated after the rule change was implemented in May 2025.

Advertisement

In three separate appendices (bilag in Danish) the legislation lists both educational institutions and programmes that are recognised by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Culture. Both higher education (videregående uddannelse) and further education (grund- og ungdomsuddannelse), such as upper secondary school and some types of vocational education, fall into the latter category.

This information is also available on SIRI’s website, nyidanmark.dk.

The text states that the lists will be continually updated and some approved programmes may not yet have been added – so you should ask your intended place of study if you remain in any doubt.