Foreign upper secondary exam – application deadline 15 March
The deadline for applicants with a foreign upper secondary exam to apply for a bachelor programme is 15 March at 12:00 noon CET, in both Quota 1 and Quota 2.
If you are applying to CBS with a foreign upper secondary exam there are a number of things you need to be aware of. Read on to learn more about how to apply for our bachelor programmes.
Which programme would you like to apply for?
It is important that you take the time to choose which bachelor programme you would like to apply for. You may already know which bachelor programme - or programmes - you are interested in. If you are still unsure, we recommend that you read our tips and advice on how to choose the bachelor programme that is right for you. Read more about how to choose.
When is the application deadline?
If you have a foreign upper secondary exam, including International Baccalaureate and European Baccalaureate, you must apply no later than 15 March at 12:00 noon CET.
Do you meet the entry requirements?
Before you apply for one of our bachelor programmes it is important to check if you meet the entry requirements. The specific entry requirements for our bachelor programmes vary, so make sure you check the specific entry requirements for each programme you would like to apply for.
See list of entry requirements for our different bachelor programmes
You can check whether you meet the entry requirements with your foreign upper secondary exam in our standard assessments for different countries. Find the list of standard assessments under Find your country or international exam > Select continent > Select country.
Check the English requirements
When applying for a bachelor programme you must make sure that you meet the English requirements.
If you apply for a Danish-taught bachelorprogramme the specific entry requirement is either:
- English level B or
- English level B with a minimum grade point average of 6.0
Check the specific entry requirements for our Danish-taught bachelor programmes
If you are applying for an english-taught programme, you have to meet both:
- the specific entry requirement English level B with a minimum grade point average of 6,0
- the language requirement English level A
Do you meet the specific entry requirement in English?
If you are unsure whether you meet the specific entry requirement English level B or English level B with a minimum grade point average of 6.0 with your upper secondary exam, you can check our standard assessments for different countries on cbs.dk.
If you do not meet the specific entry requirement in English?
If you do not meet the specific entry requirement in English there are different things you can do to meet the requirement, for example take a Cambridge exam.
You can no longer meet the specific entry requirement in English with a language test for example TOEFL or IELTS. Read more about how you can meet the specific entry requirement in English
Do you meet the language requirement English A with your upper secondary exam?
If you are unsure whether you meet the language requirement English A with your upper secondary exam, you can check our standard assessments for different countries on cbs.dk.
If you do not meet the language requirement English A
If you do not meet the language requirement English A with your upper secondary exam, you can meet the requirement in other ways, for example by taking a Cambridge exam. Read more about how you can meet the language requirement English A
Supplementary courses during the summer holidays?
It is not possible to take supplementary courses during the summer holidays. All entry requirements must be passed and documented by 5 July 12:00 noon CET.
Please note, if you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and need a residence permit, you must document that you meet all the entry requirements before 15 March 12:00 noon CET. Read more about deadlines
How to apply for a bachelor programme?
When you apply for a bachelor programme in Denmark, your application can be assessed in two different admission quotas - Quota 1 and/or Quota 2. You must meet the entry requirements for a bachelor programme, regardless of whether you apply through Quota 1 or Quota 2. Below you can read more about the two quotas and how to apply.
What is considered in a Quota 1 assessment?
In Quota 1, you are assessed solely on your grade point averages from your upper secondary exam. You application will be assessed in Quota 1 if you grades can be converted to the Danish grading scale.
You can check whether your upper secondary exam is convertible under Step 1: Entry requirements > Find your country or international exam
What was the required grade point average last year?
In our statistics, you can see what grade point averages was required for admission in 2025 and earlier. Please note that the required grade point average is the average of the last applicant admitted in Quota 1 in a given year. The required grade point average changes from year to year, as it depends on the applicants’ grade point averages.
Find statistics of which grade point averages were needed for acceptance in 2025 and earlier
Should you also apply in Quota 2?
In Quota 2, you are assessed on both your grades in specific entry requirements and activities you have participated in after you have finished your upper secondary exam. If you have finished your upper secondary exam in 2025 or earlier, it might be worthwhile to also apply in Quota 2 as it will give you an extra chance to be accepted.
If you are finishing your upper secondary exam in 2026, you can only apply in Quota 1.
Read more about how to get ready to apply in Quota 2
How to apply
You submit your application via the application portal optagelse.dk. You have to submit your application no later than 15 March at 12:00 noon CET. Read more about how to submit your application
Remember to upload documentation
You must also remember to upload documentation for activities to be assessed in Quota 2 no later than 15 March at 12.00 noon CET. This includes:
- Motivational essay
- Exam certificate
- Documentation for work experience
- Documentation for stays abroad
- Documentation for other education
- Documentation for Danish residence permit, if necessary
If you do not already meet the entry requirements, you must upload documentation for meeting them no later than 5 July at 12:00 noon CET. We do not accept documentation uploaded after the deadline. Read more about documentation
Please note if you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and need a residence permit, you must document that you fulfil all the entry requirements before 15 March, 12:00 noon CET. Read more on Deadlines.
In need of special support?
Do you have a disability such as dyslexia, anxiety, autism, ADHD, long-term effects of concussion or another physical, psychological or neurological disability? Then you have the opportunity to apply for Special Educational Support (SPS) and special conditions while studying. This ensures you can study on equal terms with your fellow students. Read more about special support
Can you apply for early admission?
In some cases, we can inform you of your admission a little earlier than usual, if you have a disability. This gives us more time to ensure that you receive the right support and aids you may need when your studies begin. Read more about who can apply for early admission
Questions about applying to CBS
Do you get a confirmation on your application?
CBS does not send any confirmation that we have received your application or signature page.
If you apply with MitID, you will receive an email from the application portal optagelse.dk once you have approved your application. This is your confirmation that you have applied. You will receive one email per approved application. Read more here.
What if you apply without MitID?
If you do not have MitID, you must print and sign a signature page for each programme you are applying for. You must send the signature pages to signaturepage@cbs.dk no later than 15 March at 12:00 noon CET.
Afterwards, you will receive an automatic email response as confirmation that CBS has received your email. Note that it is your responsibility to make sure all your signature pages are attached to the email.
Do you need to pay tuition fee?
The following applicants do not have to pay application or tuition fees:
- Danish citizens
- EU citizens
- Citizens from Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein
If you have a Danish residence permit, you might be exempt from paying a tuition fee.
Read more on application fee, tuition fee and recidence permit
Do you need to write a motivational essay?
Some bachelor programmes require a motivational essay in Quota 2. The motivational essay is an important part of your Quota 2 application, so we recommend that you spend some time and energy writing it.
Read more about which programmes require a motivational essay in Quota 2 in the article Get ready to apply in Quota 2
Questions about admission to CBS?
If you have questions about admission to CBS' bachelor programmes, you are welcome to contact our admission staff or a student guidance counsellor.
Send a mail to our admission staff:
- Mail: bacheloradmission@cbs.dk
Call a student guidance counsellor
If you have questions about our bachelor programmes and which programme to choose, you can contact a student guidance counsellor. Find Student Guidance's opening hours and contact information
Info meetings and chats about admission
Join an info meeting about admission where we guide you through the admission process and explain about Quota 1 and Quota 2, how to fulfil the entry and language requirements, and much more. You can also participate in one of our chats where you can ask questions about your application.
