Danish Language
Denmark has one official language: Danish. However, there are several minority languages spoken throughout the territory, if you include The Faeroe Islands and Greenland.
Danes are taught English from a very young age and 86% of all Danes speak English as a second language. Therefore, it is fairly easy for foreigners to move to Denmark and still be able to communicate with Danes. That being said, it is important to know that Danish is still spoken and used by your colleagues, your neighbours, in the local supermarket and by the Danish authorities. Typically people wonder if it is possible to take a position at the University of Copenhagen without learning the Danish language.
To help you, we have gathered some information about the use of languages in Denmark.
The University of Copenhagen has a policy of Danish/English parallel language use. The aim of the language policy is to ensure a good learning environment and a good workplace with fewer language barriers for both staff and students - regardless of their linguistic and cultural backgrounds. All general information on the UCPH website is in both English and Danish. Your contract and your payslips is available in English and you can seek administrative assistance on all matters in English.
Language policy
The language policy is a general set of rules for how we work with Danish and English at UCPH. The Board adopted the policy in January 2021, which further expands the University's practice of parallel-language use. You can read more about the ten principles of the language policy if you follow the link below. The principles describe, among other things, the language skills UCPH expects its staff to have, how to facilitate meetings when there are non-Danish speaking staff present and how to accommodate an international workplace.
At your department
The use of language can vary from one department to another. However, most departments have an international workforce and in your daily work, you will be able to express yourself in English. Some departments choose to have staff meetings in Danish, whereas others switch to English if international employees are present. It is very important that The use of parallel language is managed locally and therefore varies from department to department. You can talk to your colleagues if you have any doubts of how to go about this.
Long-term career
If you are planning a long-term career at the University of Copenhagen or in Denmark, it is important to consider how your language skills might affect your future career opportunities. Some departments at the University of Copenhagen may require you to achieve a certain level of proficiency in Danish.
https://kunet.ku.dk/employee-guide/Pages/Communication/Language-policy.aspx
The Language Policy Explained: Implementation of the UCPH language policy – University of Copenhagen
UCPH collaborate with the local, municipality-funded language schools. One of the official language schools are called SPEAK and they bring free Danish language lessons to UCPH campus for all international employees.
As an employee at UCPH you can therefore sign up for Danish language lessons on campus in order to study Danish with your fellow international researchers. Danish lessons take place at three main locations: SUND, SCIENCE and SAMF. You can choose between any of the locations regardless of the faculty in which you work. We offer both beginner courses and more advanced classes for both intermediates and advanced learners (From module 1-5). We start new Danish courses each 'semester' (summer/winter). The next round of courses start in January and February 2025. Each course consists of one weekly session (2,5 hours) in the late afternoon.
Enrollment and conditions:
- In order to enroll, you must have a residence permit, be 18 years old, and hold a CPR-number (Danish personal identification number)
- You can enroll for a beginner course if you have not been enrolled in other language schools before.
- You are eligible for free Danish language lessons for a period of 5 years starting from the day you (first) arrived in Denmark and got your CPR-number
- Before you can start, you must pay a deposit of DKK 2.000,-. The deposit may be reimbursed to you, if you complete the course within the given time frame
To register:
Please read more and register for classes here:
https://speakspeak.dk/danish-courses/danish-courses-at-ucph/
Courses for students
UCPH collaborate with the local, municipality-funded language schools. One of the official language schools are called UCplus and they bring free Danish language lessons to UCPH campus for all international students.
As a student at UCPH you can therefore sign up for Danish language lessons on campus in order to study Danish with your fellow international student. We offer both beginner courses and more advanced classes for both intermediates and advanced learners (From module 1-5). We start new Danish courses each 'semester' (summer/winter). The next round of courses start in January and February 2025.
Enrollment and conditions:
- In order to enroll, you must have a residence permit, be 18 years old, and hold a CPR-number (Danish personal identification number)
- You can enroll for a beginner course if you have not been enrolled in other language schools before.
- You are eligible for free Danish language lessons for a period of 5 years, starting from the day you (first) arrived in Denmark and got your CPR-number
- Before you can start, you must pay a deposit of DKK 2.000,-. The deposit may be reimbursed to you, if you complete the course within the given time frame
To register:
Please read more and enroll here: https://ucplusdansk.dk/en/danish-courses/danish-for-international-students/
Danish courses at the University of Copenhagen; Centre for Internationalisation and Parallel Language Use (CIP)
CIP provides language skills development primarily targeted staff and students at the University of Copenhagen. The majority of the courses are Danish or English courses tailored to meet the needs and language level of the participants. CIP also offer courses in other languages, e.g. German, French or Spanish for staff at the University of Copenhagen upon request.
These courses come with a fee. Because of the costs assigned to the faculty, department or local institute, you need consent from your manager prior to registration.
You can find more information about all courses and registration here:https://cip.ku.dk/english/course-catalogue/
Courses in Danish outside UCPH
As a foreigner with an official Danish address (folkeregisteradresse), you are offered publicly funded Danish lessons. Danish education at recognized language schools is free from 1st July 2020 onwards. You have to pay a fully refundable deposit of DKK 2,000 per person, when you sign up for Danish language lessons.
Official Danish language schools in and around Copenhagen:
Please be aware of the voucher system regarding free Danish lessons, read more below.
Many other private language schools also offer Danish language lessons, but for those lessons you have to pay fees. As opposed to the recognized schools as exemplified above, the private language schools do not require you have a CPR number in order to sign up for lessons. Moreover, there is no voucher scheme (read more below) or deposit required at the private schools. Please be aware that if you sign up for Danish lessons at some of the private language schools, you will not receive an official licensed diploma, when you finish a module at one of these language schools. If you wish to learn Danish at a private language school that is not recognized at a local municipality in Denmark, please contact them directly.
The Danish language education programme is free, if you are referred from July 1st. 2020 and onwards. However, you need to make a deposit of 2.000 DKK before you can start your class. The language center of your choice will inform you about the payment of the deposit and the conditions under which the deposit is reimbursable.
New citizens in Denmark will receive a letter from the municipality where they take residence in their electronic mailbox (e-Boks) – the so-called referral letter. As soon as possible and no later than one month after receiving the referral letter, you should contact the language school where you wish to begin your Danish lessons, regardless of when you plan to start.
The Danish language education programme consist of 6 modules in total. At the end of each course you are offered a module test to prove your Danish language skills.
You can pause your education between modules and only between modules. However, you must inform your language education centre beforehand.
Language lessons in the Municipality of Copenhagen
Click below to learn more about language lessons offered in the Municipality of Copenhagen:
Assistant professor, Spain
I am quite happy that I made the effort to learn Danish. I can teach in both Danish and English and it made it a difference in my professional career.
Associate Professor, Japan
It is difficult to learn Danish. I can now read Danish emails but I never practice my conversation skills because everybody keeps switching to English when I am around.
Contact
____________________________
Jo Ebert Håkonsson
Language consultant
Nørregade 10, København K
Phone: +45 35324460
E-mail: joh@adm.ku.dk