Entry requirements

We have compiled a list with standard assessments for the most common types of international qualifications at International Applicants.

To find out if your educational background fulfils the general admission requirement and how to document this in your application, choose the region and country where you studied your upper secondary exam from the list.

The list is based on information published by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science (the branch of the Danish Ministry for Higher Education and Science that supports the internationalisation of education in Denmark). The Agency's assessments of various countries' educational levels are available here (note that the Danish version of the page provides additional information about individual subjects equivalencies and grade level conversions).

Check which Danish upper secondary qualifications fulfil the general entry requirement for admission at Bacheloroptag: Adgangskrav,  in the section "Du har en dansk eksamen".

You can still apply for admission even if you do not have a qualifying upper secondary exam and you therefore do not formally fulfil the general entry requirement.

You are considered a dispensee if you do not have one of the Danish upper secondary exams listed at Bacheloroptag: Adgangskrav, in the section "Du har en dansk eksamen", or one of the non-Danish upper secondary exams that fulfil the general entry requirement according to the standard assessments published at International Applicants.

To be assessed as a dispensee you must, as a minimum:

• document that you fulfil the specific entry requirements for each of the programmes you are applying for, and
• document your entire educational background, including level, grades and course content for all completed study activities.

We will carry out a concrete overall assessment of your entire documented educational background in order to determine if you fulfil the general entry requirement.

This is a requirement for all Danish-taught bachelor programmes. Please read more about how you can fulfil this requirement in the section "Dansk A" on the Danish version of this page.

Starting with the admission year 2024, there aren't any bachelor programmes that require English level A as a specific entry requirement. However, all the English-taught bachelor programmes require English level A as an additional language requirement, which you must fulfil exactly as indicated in Section 3 -  "The language requirement", at the bottom of this page.

All bachelor programmes require English level B.
Most of the bachelor programmes require English level B with a minimum grade of 6.0.
You must document that you fulfil the specific entry requirement no later than 5 July, 12 noon (CET).

You can fulfil the English level B specific entry requirement as follows:

Danish upper secondary exam
"Engelsk B" from a Danish upper secondary exam fulfils the requirement as the default option. If you have a Danish upper secondary exam, but you have not passed English level B, or if you have passed English level B, but you have not obtained the required minimum grade, please read more about your options under "Engelsk B" on the Danish version of this page.

Supplementary upper secondary courses
Supplementary upper secondary courses are available in Denmark as GSK or HF bridging subjects to students who have not passed English level B during their upper secondary education. Read more about this option under "Adgangskrav" on the Danish version of this page.

Individual competency assessment (IKV)
If you think you have language competences corresponding to English level B, you have the possibility to request an assessment - Individuel Kompetencevurdering (IKV) from a Danish VUC (adult education centre). Read more about this option under "Engelsk B" on the Danish version of this page.

International upper secondary exam
We have prepared standard assessments for the most common types of international qualifications - you will find the list at International Applicants. To find out if your upper secondary exam fulfils the English level B specific entry requirement, if you meet the minimum grade requirement (where applicable), and how you can document this in your application, choose the region and country where you studied your upper secondary exam from the list.

If you cannot find your qualifications among those listed as fulfilling the specific entry requirement, but you believe that you have taken and passed courses that correspond to a Danish English level B, you can upload documentation showing that you have studied  minimum 210 hours of English as part of your upper secondary school and have passed the subject with a final exam, with grades higher than the minimum passing grade. You also need to document that you have covered the following topics: understanding, as well as conversing and writing fluently and accurately in English in terms of grammar, spelling and punctuation; have vocabulary that enables you to engage in conversations and discussions pertaining to general, but also specific subjects e.g., cultural, or societal topics in the UK, USA, and other English-speaking countries.

You may send official documentation for the above to request an individual course assessment ahead of the actual admission round. You must use the signed and stamped CBS Verification Form available at International Applicants; note that we do not assess links, unofficial documentation etc. The request and all supporting documentation must be sent to bacheloradmission@cbs.dk between 1 December and 1 January. You will receive an answer no later than 1 February. We cannot guarantee that we can pre-assess documents sent after 1 January.

A passed upper secondary certificate, showing a fully completed national upper secondary school education studied in English, in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK or USA, also fulfils the English level B specific entry requirement, including the minimum grade of 6.0. The requirement is fulfilled even if you have taken an upper secondary school exam that is taught in English and accredited by an English-speaking country, but has been de facto studied in a non-English speaking country.

Cambridge exam
A Cambridge Certificate issued by Cambridge English can fulfil the English level B specific entry requirement. You cannot fulfil this requirement via a TOEFL or an IELTS or other language tests. We accept the following two types of Cambridge certificates:

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English):
  • English B: Cambridge C2 Proficiency passed (no minimum score required).
  • English B with a minimum grade of 6.0: Cambridge 2 Proficiency exam, passed with minimum C, corresponding to a score of minimum 200.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (Certificate of Advanced English):
  • English B: Cambridge C1 Advanced passed (no minimum score required).
  • English B with a minimum grade of 6.0: Cambridge C1 Advanced exam, passed with minimum C AND a score of minimum 185.

Bachelor-level studies
A passed bachelor degree with a duration of minimum three years that has been fully taught in English and studied in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK or USA, fulfils the English level B specific entry requirement, including the grade requirement of minimum 6.0.

This is a specific entry requirement for the Danish-taught HA(mat.) programme.

Please read more about how you can fulfil this requirement in the section "Matematik A" on the Danish version of this page.

All bachelor programmes, except for HA(mat.), require Mathematics level B.

Please note that some of the bachelor programmes require Mathematics level B with a minimum grade of 6.0.

You must document that you fulfil the specific entry requirement no later than 5 July, 12 noon (CET).

You can fulfil the Mathematics level B specific entry requirement as follows:

Danish upper secondary exam

"Matematik B" from a Danish upper secondary exam fulfils the requirement as the default option. If you have a Danish upper secondary exam, but you have not passed Mathematics level B, or if you have passed Mathematics level B, but you have not obtained the required minimum grade, please read more about your options on the Danish version of this page.

Supplementary upper secondary courses

Supplementary upper secondary courses are available in Denmark as GSK or HF bridging subjects to students who have not passed Mathematics level B during their upper secondary education. Read more about this option on the Danish version of this page.

Individual competency assessment (IKV)

If you think you have language competences corresponding to an Mathematics level B, you have the possibility to request an assessment - Individuel Kompetencevurdering (IKV) from a Danish VUC (adult education centre). Read more about this option on the Danish version of this page.

Bridging course for admission to engineering degrees
Some Danish universities may offer bridging courses for admission to engineering degrees. Read more about this option on the Danish version of this page.

International upper secondary exam

We have prepared standard assessments for the most common types of international qualifications - you will find the list at International Applicants. To find out if your upper secondary exam fulfils the Mathematics B requirement, if you meet the minimum grade requirement (where applicable), and how you can document this in your application, choose the region and country where you studied your upper secondary exam from the list.

If you cannot find your qualifications among those listed as fulfilling the specific entry requirements, but you believe that you have taken and passed courses that correspond to a Danish Mathematics level B, you can upload documentation and course descriptions that show that you have had a minimum of 250 full teaching hours (of 60 minutes per hour) in Mathematics, with an exam passed at upper secondary school level or above. If you're applying for a programme that requires Mathematics level B with a minimum grade of 6.0, you must also document that you fulfil the grade requirement. The curriculum must contain the following topics: statistics and probability theory; functions and equations; circular functions and trigonometry; matrices; vectors; calculus; algebra; use of IT-tools and mathematical programmes when solving mathematical problems.

You may send official documentation for the above to request an individual course assessment ahead of the actual admission round. You must use the signed and stamped CBS Verification Form available at International Applicants; note that we do not assess links, unofficial documentation etc. The request and all supporting documentation must be sent to bacheloradmission@cbs.dk between 1 December and 1 January. You will receive an answer no later than 1 February. We cannot guarantee that we can pre-assess documents sent after 1 January.

Supplementary upper secondary courses in other countries
If you cannot take a supplementary course in Denmark, you might be able to find courses that cover Mathematics level B online or in your home country. This could be AS-level Mathematics (in the UK educational model, from 2010 onwards), passed with at least a local E grade (corresponding to the 2.0 Danish grade requirement) or a local C grade (corresponding to the 6.0 Danish grade requirement). Another alternative is the Dutch VWO A, B, C or D, passed with a minimum local grade of 6 (corresponding to the 2.0 Danish grade requirement), or with a minimum local grade of 7 (corresponding to the Danish 6.0 grade requirement).

All bachelor programmes require Social Studies level B or History level B or International Economics level B or History of Ideas level B or Contemporary History level B.
You must document that you fulfil the specific entry requirement no later than 5 July, 12 noon (CET).
You can fulfil this specific entry requirement as follows:

Danish upper secondary exam
"Samfundsfag B" or "Historie B" or "International Økonomi B" or "Idehistorie B" or "Samtidshistorie B" from a Danish upper secondary exam fulfils the requirement as the default option. If you have a Danish upper secondary exam, but you have not passed any of the listed subjects, read more about your options on the Danish version of this page.

Supplementary courses
Supplementary upper secondary courses are available in Denmark as GSK or HF bridging subjects to students who have not passed one of the listed subjects during their upper secondary education. These supplementary courses are only available in Danish. Please see the Danish version of this page for more information about these courses.

Individual competency assessment (IKV)
If you think you have competences corresponding to Social Studies level B or History level B or International Economics level B or History of Ideas level B or Contemporary History level B, you have the possibility to request an assessment - Individuel Kompetencevurdering (IKV) from a Danish VUC (adult education centre). Read more about this on the Danish version of this page.

International upper secondary exam
We have prepared standard assessments for the most common types of international qualifications - you will find the list at International Applicants. To find out if your upper secondary exam fulfils the specific entry requirement, and how you can document this in your application, choose the region and country where you studied your upper secondary exam from the list.

If you cannot find your qualifications among those listed as fulfilling the specific entry requirements, but you believe that you have taken and passed courses that correspond to a Danish Social Studies level B or History level B or International Economics level B or History of Ideas level B or Contemporary History level B, you must upload documentation and course descriptions that show a minimum of 200 full teaching hours (of 60 minutes per hour) in the respective subject, with an exam passed at upper secondary school level or above. The curriculum could, for example, consist of some of the following subject matters: history; social studies; sociology; politics; economics; globalization; ideology; philosophy; technological advances; quantitative and qualitative methodology; cultural studies.

You may send official documentation for the above to request an individual course assessment ahead of the actual admission round. You must use the signed and stamped CBS Verification Form available at International Applicants; note that we do not assess links, unofficial documentation etc. The request and all supporting documentation must be sent to bacheloradmission@cbs.dk between 1 December and 1 January. You will receive an answer no later than 1 February. We cannot guarantee that we can pre-assess documents sent after 1 January.

This is a specific entry requirement for BSc in Business, Language and Culture. The programme is offered with a French, German or Spanish option. You need to document that you fulfil the specific entry requirement in the chosen language.

You must document that you fulfil the specific entry requirement no later than 5 July, 12 noon (CET).

The Danish educational system distinguishes between beginner and intermediate levels. Beginner level means that you have not studied the language prior to your upper secondary education, whereas intermediate level means that you have started stuying the language during your primary education, and then continued studying it during your upper secondary education.

You fulfil the requirement if you have one of the following qualifications:

The BSc in International Business in Asia is offered with either Chinese or Japanese.
You do not need to have any prior knowledge of Chinese or Japanese to apply for the programme. If you are accepted to the programme without any prior knowledge of Chinese or Japanese, you will follow the full 4-year programme (240 ECTS-points).

If you have one of the following qualifications, you will be exempt from studying some of the language courses during the programme:

All English-taught bachelor programmes require English level A.

You must document that you fulfil the English level A language requirement no later than 5 July, 12 noon (CET).

You can fulfil the English A language requirement as follows:

Danish upper secondary exam
"Engelsk A" from a Danish upper secondary exam fulfils the English A language requirement as the default option.

Supplementary upper secondary courses
Supplementary upper secondary courses are available in Denmark as GSK or HF bridging subjects to students who have not passed English level A during their upper secondary education. Please find more information about these courses on the Danish version of this page.

Individual competency assessment (IKV)
If you think you have language competences corresponding to an English level A, you have the possibility to request an assessment - Individuel Kompetencevurdering (IKV) from a Danish VUC (adult education centre). Read more about it on the Danish version of this page.

International upper secondary exam

We have prepared standard assessments for the most common types of international qualifications - you will find the list at International Applicants. To find out if your upper secondary exam fulfils the English level A language requirement, and how you can document this in your application, choose the region and country where you studied your upper secondary exam from the list.

A passed school leaving certificate showing fully completed national upper secondary school education taken in English and in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK or USA also fulfils the English A language requirement. If you have taken an upper secondary school exam that is taught in English and accredited by an English-speaking country, but has been de facto studied in a non-English speaking country, you do not automatically fulfil the English language requirement and you will need to contact Bachelor Admission for further instructions.

Cambridge exam
Only the following Cambridge exams/certificates fulfil the English A language requirement. Please upload your exam certificate to your application at Optagelse.dk before 5 July, 12 noon (CET).

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English) passed with minimum 200. Read more about the CPE and how to register. 
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (Certificate of Advanced English) passed with minimum 185. Read more about the CAE and how to register.

Language test
You can only take one of the accepted language tests listed below to fulfil English level A, and only if you have also documented that you have fulfilled the specific entry requirement in English level B with a minimum grade of 6.0 via one of the options listed higher up on this page.

If you choose to take a language test, your scores must be available to CBS Admissions by 5 July, 12 noon (CET) at the latest. However, if you need a student residence permit to study in Denmark, the deadline is 15 March, 12 noon (CET).

To ensure that your test/exam scores are available to us on time, it is important that you sign up for a test taking place well in advance of the applicable deadline. You should expect up that it takes up to 3 weeks from the test date until the results become available to CBS.

If you have already taken an IELTS or TOEFL test, remember to check that your test date (not to be confused with the date your test results were issued) is no older than two years by the application deadline. If your test date is more than two years old by the application deadline, then your test will not be accepted.

We only accept the following two types of English tests for the fulfilment of the English level A language requirement:

• an IELTS Academic test passed with an overall score of at least 7.0 and a minimum score of 6.0 for each of the four different sections. Please upload your test certificate to your application at Optagelse.dk before the applicable deadline. We will then check your score in the IELTS database. Read more about IELTS and how to register.
• a TOEFL iBT/ iBT Home Edition passed with a minimum overall score of at least 94 and a minimum score of 20 in each of the four different sections. Please order your test results to be sent directly from ETS to CBS using the institution code 7035 and upload both a receipt of this and a copy of your result to your application at Optagelse.dk before the applicable deadline. Read more about the TOEFL and how to register.

Bachelor-level studies
A passed bachelor degree with a duration of minimum 3 years that has been fully taught in English and taken in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK or USA fulfils the English level A language requirement.

The following table briefly describes and compares some of the tests and exams mentioned above.
 

Choose the right test
If you need an English test to fulfil the English language requirement, it is your responsibility to find an institution that offers it, sign up for a test at a suitable available date and have the scores sent to CBS Admissions.

Take the test as soon as possible
Don’t wait too long with booking a test appointment – you might be surprised to find out that all the test dates have already been booked or you may fail your first attempt.

Prepare for the test
Find out what the test consists of and practice in advance – most testing institutions provide test takers with preparation materials. Do not underestimate the difficulty of the test – last year, almost 49% of the CBS TOEFL test takers failed to score enough points the first time they took the test.

Consider which test is best for you
Different English language tests and exams measure your language skills in different ways. Know your strengths and choose a test that will enhance these.