Everything You Need to Know About Studying Ph.D. in Denmark

Admission Requirements and Application Process in Denmark

Deciding to pursue Ph.D. is a big step in itself. The road to submitting has prerequisites to follow. It can make the application procedure easy. The admission requirements vary from one institute to another. The main criterion is a recognized master’s degree in a subject where an aspirant wants to pursue their Ph.D. program.

If an aspirant wants to study abroad, they should have proficiency in the English language. A student can also start the research program after completing a bachelor’s degree. It is the 3+5 program, meaning pursuing the master's and Ph.D. simultaneously. An aspirant can also go for the 4+4 program. It means starting the Ph.D. degree one year after the master’s program. These two study programs are available at the University of Copenhagen under the Faculty of Science.

The application for a Ph.D. program should include writing about projects and scholarships. An aspirant can suggest or apply their research ideas with pre-decided research subjects. In addition, students need to add a transcript of their grades for the bachelor's and master's degrees with correct certificates and a CV.

Choosing the Research Area

The primary deciding factor of a Ph.D. study program is its research area. Be it an Arts or Humanities subject, there is a vast scope of research for an individual subject. Though most courses expect students to have a relevant degree in research, previous qualification is not always important. The area of research has to be similar, and the topic should relate to experience.

Kind of Ph.D. Work

It can be Ph.D. on self-proposed or predesigned projects, and it is one’s preference to choose the way. PhDs in arts and humanities stream are self-proposed. The advertised projects are available in different forms:
• iCASE
• Doctoral Training Partnership or DTP
• Centre for Doctoral Training or CDT

The difference in these is the level of industry experience a student gets – DTPs have the least, with iCASEs having the highest degree. These projects are a four-year course program. Many aspirants wish to design their projects for the Ph.D. study program. It becomes rewarding as students already have good knowledge of the work extant. Not all self-proposal projects get funding, though there are several funding options in Ph.D. study programs. A student needs to design the project with proper research. Students choosing this path have to research and draft a proposal for the same.

Contacting Supervisors

Once the aspirant decides the project to apply to the study program, it's time to look for prospective supervisors for guidance. It can help gain insight into the course, taking it to the next level. Aspirants must choose supervisors from the advising list, contact them and discuss the research. When a student proposes their Ph.D. research, they have to look for an expert supervisor to get good feedback for the work.

Check the Entry Requirements

It’s important to check the entry requirements of the project or the institute. Applicants must have a master’s degree and good scores in the research subject.

Pursuing Ph.D. without Masters

Some funding grants will allow graduates to take the study program. Here, students can go for integrated programs in which a student should have masters level training for suitable Ph.D. research.

Criteria for International Applicants

Students need a student route visa to study in Denmark. A student must furnish a confirmation document from the university, proof of adequate funds, and proficiency in English. The language test and the entry tests are vital to check.

Check Fees and Funding Options

After knowing the course and clearing the eligibility, it's time to look for funding options. If an advertised project is successful, students can receive full funding. It comes from Research councils, and there are restrictions to use the money, along with a deadline for the thesis. Knowing the funder's option can help students arrange the necessary amount. Only a definite amount is available for the self-proposal projects, and not all students can get funding assistance.

Get Ready to Apply

Be careful to take time and check the difficulties before the deadline. Also, the student should check the document list to submit with the application, and the university can ask for the following:

• Research proposal
• CV
• Personal statement or a cover letter
• Details of two reference persons
• An academic transcript

Submit the Application

It is time to apply through the university’s application portal to study in Denmark. If asking for funding, an aspirant should go through the funder’s website. Grant from Research Council goes with the same application, whereas the system can be different for other funders.

Availability of Scholarships and Grants for Ph.D. Students in Denmark

Getting a full fund for a scholarship can be challenging, it's better to know the available funding options.

1. Universities can offer funds, from small discounts to full studentships. It depends on the university and the study program.
2. Independent organizations like trusts and charities offer partial funding when research relates to the groups’ interests.
3. Students can look for Ph.D. loans, in partial, from the government. Taking a part-time job is a suitable choice for self-funding study programs

Other Popular Scholarships in Denmark Universities are:

1. Spreadsheet Gladiator Scholarship:It is for a student who wishes to enter business and can get annual assistance of $1,500
2. Lincoln University Doctoral Scholarships: The new students who wish to pursue Ph.D. or research studies at Lincoln University.
3. Edward Stewart Scholarship in Scottish Studies:The eligibility depends on a high academic score without needing any application.
4. Dorothy Britton Memorial Doctoral Scholarship:It considers a student’s academic achievement to grant the scholarship.

Ph.D. Structure: Coursework, Research, and Thesis in Denmark

Ph.D. is three years, a full-time program where an aspirant takes independent research subjects. They can take courses up to 30 ECTS credits. The program ends in Ph.D. that documents that research output.

Coursework:

An aspirant should participate in course activities for up to 30 ECTS credits during the study program. It is a six-month full-time study program from the University of Copenhagen or others. Here, conference attendance also counts as an activity.

Research:

Students should start searching from previous degrees to gain better insight into the research subject. The more familiar they are with the academic argument, the better their discussion can be, applying the right theory. Look for the correct source and derive the information for the research.
The research follows with the drafting of a proposal. It isn’t the final piece to submit with the application, but it helps get a prospective supervisor.

Thesis:

It should be original and of a high standard. Its specific requirement depends on the subject and its research field. Once the studies for the programs are approved, an aspirant can move forward with the thesis for assessment.

Danish Universities and Research Institutions Renowned for Ph.D. Studies

As per the Academic Ranking of World Universities, the top 7 university of Denmark includes Aalborg University, Technical University of Denmark and Roskilde University. It mainly focuses on the number of scientist awards, contributions to the scientific community, and the academic experts from a university. Other top Denmark universities are:
1. Aarhus University
2. University of Copenhagen
3. University of Southern Denmark
4. Copenhagen Business School (CBS)

Living and working in Denmark as a Ph.D. student

The cost of accommodation is high than in other European countries, where rent includes the cost of utilities. There are not enough accommodation options. So, aspirants should search for housing help from the international office.

A student has to pay around €875 to €1230 monthly, with € 400 to 670 for accommodation and € 200 to 270 for food. An international student. After completing a Ph.D., they can take up a job with one day's notice if they have a work or residence permit.

When students have enough funding for their research program, they must look for grants or part-time jobs to fund their study programs. The student’s salary will be per the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the Ministry of Finance agreement for funding research. The average pay at the University of Copenhagen is 32567 DKK. There are employment contracts with universities under Industrial Ph.D., where students can get employment scope from a partner or the university.