As described in section 8.1, adult education and training is divided into the following programmes:

General adult education

(At lower/upper secondary level + special offers at levels that cannot be indicated precisely)

• Preparatory Adult Education
• General Adult Education
• Single Subject Courses leading to Higher Preparatory Examination at upper secondary level and various courses at levels that cannot be indicated precisely

Adult vocationally oriented education

(From initial vocational education and training level to the highest level)

• Adult Vocational Training Programmes
• Basic Adult Education

Higher Education for adults

• Advanced Adult Education
• Diploma Programmes
• Master Programmes

Non-formal adult education

• Folk High Schools
• Evening Schools
• Day Folk High Schools
• University Extension Courses

Provision to raise achievement in basic skills

Preparatory adult education (FVU)

This programme, offered at adult education centres, aims to improve basic literacy and numeracy skills of adults (18+) who do not have sufficient qualifications to follow education and training or cope with the demands of working life. The programme is thus an offer to adults who wish to become better at reading, spelling, writing or mathematics.

In the school year 2012/2013, 24,800 people participated in the programme. This number represents an increase of 96 % compared to the school year 2003/2004 and an increase of 11 % compared to the school year 2011/2012. The current legislation is from 19 April 2011, and the governing authority is the Ministry of Children and Education. The programme is open to anyone at 18 years of age and above, and participation is free of charge.

The programme consists of two subjects: FVU-reading and FVU-mathematics. FVU-reading covers reading, spelling and written production and consists of four steps of 30-60 hours of 60 minutes. A test is offered after each step and is not compulsory. FVU-mathematics covers understanding of numbers, calculation and fundamental mathematical terms and consists of two steps of 30-60 hours of 60 minutes.

A test is offered after each step and is not compulsory. A certificate is provided if a student passes a test. Proof of participation can be given if a student does not take the test but has participated in at least 85 % of the teaching.

The provision can be read in full (in Danish) here.

General adult education (AVU)

The general adult education programme aims to provide education that will enable young as well as mature adults to improve or supplement their knowledge and skills within general subjects and to strengthen their prerequisites for active participation in a democratic society. In addition, general adult education aims at enabling adults to acquire general prerequisites for continued education, general knowledge and skills relevant to working life.

Every year, approximately 90,000 adults participate in general adult education, and the number of students has been increasing in recent years. General adult education at lower secondary level is provided as single subject courses for adults (18+), and the programme is equivalent to – but not identical with – primary and lower secondary school (the Folkeskole). An exception is that the final level within the general adult education is D, which is one level higher than the final level of the school-leaving examination of the Folkeskole. Level D provides good academic coherence to the Higher Preparatory Examination Programme (HF).

Upon completion of general adult education, the principal issues a certificate stating the subject(s) in which examinations have been passed, and completion qualifies for admission to continued education equivalent to the school leaving certificates obtained after the 9th and 10th forms of the Folkeskole. The current legislation is from 4 September 2013 and the governing authority is the Ministry of Children and Education.

For each subject, the student pays a small fee for participation. For the core subjects Danish, Danish as a foreign language, English and mathematics, the fee is DKK 110. For all other subjects, the fee is DKK 300-900. Except for the fee, the teaching is covered by the state and is free of charge.

General adult education is offered at adult education centres (VUC) and a few other institutions. There are 29 VUCs in Denmark with a large number of regional satellite departments spread geographically throughout the country. For students who take the five subjects which correspond to a general preparatory examination, the duration of the programme is 1,5 years. Students can piece together subjects according to their own requirements and needs, and it is possible to study one or more subjects at the same time.

The provision can be read in full (in Danish) here.

Provision to achieve a recognised qualification during adulthood certification

Basic adult education (GVU)

Basic adult education is a framework for courses up to the level of vocational education and training. It is based on credit for former experience and qualifications of the individual participant supplemented with selected courses from the vocational training programme. This leads to the same professional level and same final test as pupils who complete a corresponding formally qualifying youth education.

The current legislation is from 1 June 2014, and the governing authority is the Ministry of Children and Education. The programme is state funded and open for adults (25+) with a minimum of two years of relevant work experience. Before starting on a basic adult education programme, participants go through an assessment of prior learning. This is an assessment of previous courses taken and of the competence achieved through work experience. The procedure may include practical testing of skills in a course of up to two weeks. The school then draws up a personal education and training plan for the supplementary activities the student must undertake in order to earn a full qualification.

The entire programme consists of courses provided by vocational colleges, AMU centres etc., single subjects and/ or a final exam. It may be organised on a full-time or part-time basis and must be completed within a maximum of 6 years.

On completion of the programme, the graduates receive a certificate corresponding to the one issued on completion of the corresponding vocationally oriented upper secondary programme and it gives the graduate the right to use the same title as this.

Since 1 August 2015, GVU has been abolished and replaced by EUV. Therefore, it is no longer possible to start a GVU, however, a GVU begun before 1 August 2015 can be completed. 

The provision can be read in full (in Danish) here.

Adult vocational training (AMU)

Adult vocational training aims to serve a triple purpose:

• To contribute to maintaining and improving the vocational skills and competences of the participants in accordance with the labour market and to furthering competence development of the participants
• To contribute to solving labour market restructuring and adaption problems in accordance with the needs on the labour market in a short and long term perspective
• To give adults the possibility of upgrading competences for the labour market as well as personal competences through possibilities to obtain formal competence in vocational education and training.

The programmes primarily provide skills and competences directed towards specific sectors and job functions. It is a flexible system which aims at meeting current changes and needs for new skills and competences on the labour market.

In 2014, the number of participants was 565.000. The current legislation is from 4 March 2015, and the governing authority is the Ministry of Children and Education. Although adult vocational training has been developed for low skilled and skilled workers, everybody may participate irrespective of educational background. Only formal entrance requirement is being resident or holding a job in Denmark.

Adult vocational training programmes are publicly financed. The providers operate within a decentralised framework based on taximeter funding (taximeter grant per full-time equivalent participant, a fixed rate per programme) provided by the state (the Ministry of Children and Education). User fees apply on technical, commercial, ICT, language and social communication, management etc. adult vocational training programmes. On average, the user fee is about 15 per cent of the total expenditure and is normally paid by the employers. Courses in the social and health service, individual competence assessment and participation by the unemployed who attend individually selected programmes for 6 weeks are free of user fees. Low skilled and skilled participants are entitled to a fixed allowance financed by the state, the State Grant System for Adult Training (VEU-godtgørelse) corresponding the level of maximum unemployment benefit rate.

For about 120 of the training programmes, the participants pass an exam and receive a formal, qualifying certificate for the labour market recognised by the legal authorities. Certificates from adult vocational training programmes do not give direct access to further education in mainstream education or in other adult education and training programmes. Some courses may in combination with relevant work experience and other education, if any, lead to a competence recognition of prior learning (RKV/IKV), which is equivalent to the one acquired on completion of a vocational education and training programme taken in the formal education system upon recognition by the trade committee responsible for the training programme in question.

The teaching is both practical and theoretical and is organised in classes or as open workshops where participants may follow different programmes at different levels in the same room with the same teacher. It is also possible to organise training at the workplace or as distance learning. The courses are short (often a few days till 6 weeks) and can be completed as part time or full time courses.

The provision can be read in full (in Danish) here. 

Higher preparatory single subject courses (HF enkeltfag)

This programme consists of single subject courses leading to the final examinations at general upper secondary level. The current legislation is from 4 September 2013, and the governing authority is the Ministry of Children and Education. All qualified adults can participate in the programmes, which are tuition-fee based. The programme is open to anyone at 18 years of age and above and with relevant education at lower secondary level.

A certification is given on completion of the subjects. On average, each course has a duration of ½-1 year and take place at adult education centres (VUC), upper secondary schools and upper secondary evening schools.

The provision can be read in full (in Danish) here.

Advanced adult education (VVU)

Advanced adult education corresponds to the level of academy profession programmes within the ordinary educational system, i.e. a short cycle higher education. The programmes aim to prepare students for assuming occupational functions at specialist or middle management level and give access to relevant diploma programmes.

The current legislation is from 26 June 2014, and the governing authority is the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. Applicants must have a relevant qualification at upper secondary level or a basic education qualification for adults and at least two years of relevant job experience.

Advanced adult education is equivalent to one year of full-time study (60 ECTS) and is often organised on a part-time basis (2-3 years). All programmes are tuition fee based and take place at higher educational institutions.

Students who have completed an advanced education programme in the further education system for adults are entitled to receive a certificate. The certificate is issued by the educational institution at which the final project has been completed. In 2013, 1581 people completed this type of educational programme.

The provision can be read in full (in Danish) here.

Diploma programmes

Diploma programmes are comparable to the level of bachelor programmes within the ordinary educational system, i.e. a medium-cycle higher education. The programmes aim to prepare students for assuming highly qualified occupational functions and give access to relevant master programmes.

The current legislation is from 2 July 2012, and the governing authority is the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. The applicant must have completed a relevant short-cycle higher education programme, a further education programme for adults completed as a regulated course or a special entrance course for the diploma programme and at least two years of relevant job experience.

The structure of the programmes varies from subject area to subject area, however, the programmes typically consist of a number of modules as well as a final project. Diploma programmes are equivalent of one year of full-time study (60 ECTS) and are often organised on a part-time basis (i.e. two years). All diploma programmes are tuition fee based and take place at higher educational institutions.

Students who have completed an advanced education programme in the further education system for adults are entitled to receive a certificate which is issued by the educational institution at which the final project has been completed. In 2013, 4151 people completed this type of educational programme.

The provision can be read in full (in Danish) here.

Master programmes

Master programmes within adult education and training correspond to the level of master programmes within the ordinary educational system, i.e. a long-cycle higher education. The programmes aim to prepare students for assuming highly qualified occupational functions and give access to relevant master programmes.

The current legislation is from 7 December 2012, and the governing authority is the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. As a minimum, the applicant must have completed a relevant medium-cycle higher education programme, a bachelor programme or a diploma degree programme completed as a regulated course and at least 2-5 years of relevant job experience.

Master programmes often have a duration of 2 years of part time studies, worth 60 ECTS. Master programmes are offered by the eight Danish research universities and a few additional university level institutions and are all tuition fee based. They are arranged so that it is possible to maintain employment while studying.

Students who have completed an advanced education programme in the further education system for adults are entitled to receive a certificate which is issued by the educational institution at which the final project has been completed. In 2013, 1424 people completed this type of educational programme.

Read the provision in full (in Danish) here.

Provision targeting the transition to the labour market

No information available.

Provision of liberal (popular) adult education

A wide range of different schools operates within the framework of liberal non-formal adult education. The courses do not lead to recognised formal qualifications, the aim being personal development.

The concept of ”Non-formal adult education” is associated with the Danish philosopher, poet, educational thinker and clergyman, N.F.S. Grundtvig and his thoughts concerning free educational opportunities. The concept first arose in the 19th century and is one of the special features of the Danish education system. Non-formal learning activities are frequently based on private initiatives by non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The Folk High Schools (Folkehøjskoler) are the most well-known types of non-formal adult education. They are state-funded self-governing residential schools providing general and liberal education. The courses are meant to broaden general, social and democratic competencies. The courses last between 1 and 36 weeks and do not lead to examinations. For courses longer than four weeks, a certificate is normally issued. The courses are attended by people from 18 to 70-80 years. User payment is charged and includes tuition fees and free board and lodging.

Other forms of non-formal adult education are Evening Schools, Day Folk High Schools and University Extension Courses.

This system is highly decentralised with limited data available at central level on the number of participants.

For more information: Fact sheet on non-formal adult education

Other types of publicly subsidised provision for adult learners

No information available.

A glossary listing terms referenced on this page can be found here.