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1. Policy framework

2. Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education

3. Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work

4. Quality assurance

Policy framework

Foreign language preparation for young people in Denmark: Under the Act on Primary and Lower Secondary Education (Folkeskoleloven, LBK nr 1396 af 28/09/2020), students must learn English from 1st to 9th/10th grade, with a second foreign language (e.g., German or French) introduced from 5th grade. At the upper secondary level, English is compulsory, and a second foreign language is required in most programs (Lov om de gymnasiale uddannelser, LBK nr 1428 af 28/09/2020). For some vocational students, foreign language lessons are optional (Lov om erhvervsuddannelser, LBK nr 1395 af 28/09/2020). Approximately 35 VET programmes have a foreign language (English) out of a total of 102 programmes.

Portability of the state education grant (SU): The Act on the State Education Grant (Lov om statens uddannelsesstøtte, LBK nr 1037 af 30/08/2017) allows Danish students to receive SU for studying abroad, provided they meet certain conditions. Support is available for up to four years for programmes outside the Nordic countries. Students can also apply for a student loan. 

Disadvantaged learners in mobility programmes: There is no national target for the participation of disadvantaged learners in mobility programmes. In Denmark, the state education grant (SU) is available to all students at state approved education programmes and provided to more than 50% of students.

Recognition of learning outcomes through the use of ECTS: Denmark has used the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) since 2001, as per the Ministerial Order on Exams (BEK. nr. 1021 af 20/11/2000). This allows academic credits to be transferred between European institutions. 

Recognition of qualifications: Denmark automatically recognizes higher education qualifications from other EHEA countries under the Lisbon Recognition Convention implemented through the Act on Assessment of Foreign Qualifications (lov om vurdering af udenlandske kvalifikationer etc). This ensures qualifications are accepted without additional procedures. More details are available at Eurydice.

Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education

Depending on age and type of education, young people can apply for participation in the following programmes for cross-border mobility in formal education.

Nordic Agreement on Cooperation on Upper Secondary Education
This agreement allows Nordic citizens to participate in upper secondary education in any Nordic country under the same conditions as nationals. It facilitates cross-border educational mobility for general education. The mobility is mainly for outgoing learners and supports participation in upper secondary education. Students can apply for state educational grants for both Nordic and some non-Nordic programs, such as the International Baccalaureate and European Schools. Financial support covers tuition fees, and grants are available for up to two years. Public funding is earmarked, but specific amounts are not disclosed. 

Work Placements Abroad (OPU – Oplæring i Udlandet)
The OPU programme focuses on vocational education and training (VET), allowing students to complete part of their training abroad. It targets vocational education and apprenticeships and is intended for outgoing learners. Mobility can last from one month to a full training period. Funding covers travel, accommodation (up to DKK 2500/month), and living stipends, with a maximum funding of DKK 32,000 for 12 months. Employers may cover additional costs, and about 800-1300 students receive grants annually. 

Study Abroad Scholarship (Udlandsstipendium)
This scholarship provides financial support for Danish students studying abroad for up to two years, typically at master’s level. It supports credit mobility (study periods abroad) and degree mobility (full master’s programs). Public funding is allocated for tuition fees. Students may also receive loans if fees exceed the scholarship amount. This programme is administered by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. 

DK–USA Programme
The DK-USA programme supports VET students who wish to study or intern in the USA, focusing on vocational training and professional development. Funding covers travel, accommodation, insurance, and visa costs, but daily allowances are not included. Public funding is available to cover the documented expenses of participants. The 2025 allocation budget is about DKK 1.450.000.

Fulbright Denmark
The Fulbright Program facilitates exchanges between Denmark and the USA for students and scholars. It supports both general education and professional training, with mobility options for both outgoing and incoming participants. Funding covers travel, housing, and allowances. Between 25 and 50 scholarships are awarded annually, funded through bilateral agreements between the Danish and U.S. governments. The Danish 2025 allocation budget is DKK 4.600.000.

Nordplus Programme
The Nordplus programme fosters mobility and cooperation in the Nordic and Baltic regions for lifelong learning, including general education, vocational training, and higher education. The programme supports both outgoing and incoming learners. Duration varies from short-term exchanges to longer stays (3 to 12 months), and it includes grants for travel and living expenses. Funding is provided through the Nordic Council of Ministers, with specific financial details available through the programme. 

Erasmus+ 2021-2027
Erasmus+ supports mobility for students, teachers, and staff in formal education, including general education, VET, and tertiary education. It facilitates both outgoing and incoming learners, with durations ranging from one month to a full academic year. The programme promotes academic exchanges, language learning, and professional training. Funding includes travel, accommodation, and allowances, with specific amounts depending on the type and length of the mobility. Public funding is earmarked by the EU, with more details available through the Erasmus+ programme. 

Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work

Several opportunities exist for young people to participate in international projects, exchanges and other voluntary cross-border activities. The following four programmes are the main channels for mobility in the context of non-formal learning and youth work.

Erasmus+  non-formal learning for young people In the Erasmus+ programme, the mobility of learners and staff is the flagship activity, not only within formal education but also within non-formal education. In this context, young people have the opportunity to travel abroad as part of a project between two organisations or informal groups of young people. From 2022, young people with ‘fewer opportunities’ also have the opportunity to go on an interrail travel through Erasmus+. Erasmus+ is funded by the European Commission, and in a Danish context it is administered by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science.

The European Solidarity Corps Like Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps is funded by the European Commission and (in Denmark) administered by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. The European Solidarity Corps consists of two tracks. On the one hand, the corps provides young people the opportunity to volunteer in existing projects all across Europe. On the other hand, the corps provides young people the opportunity to set up and implement small projects either as part of an organisation or as part of an informal group.

Nordplus Adult The Nordplus programme, previously mentioned in the section about cross-border mobility for students in formal education, also provides cross-border opportunities within the sphere of non-formal learning.

Nordplus Adult includes all parts of adult learning – formal, non-formal, and informal learning –  in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The objective of the programme is to generate development of the sector. Among other things, the programme awards grants for mobility projects. The exchange of adult learners must be between Nordic/Baltic institutions and organisations. The aim of the exchange is to provide the participants with new competences and/or professional skills and insight into other cultures and learning environments.

Programmes under the Danish Youth Council Finally, the Danish Youth Council (DUF) administers four international projects/programmes that support partnerships between Danish youth organisations and youth on OECD’s DAC list. Some of the measures include exchange and mobility opportunities and some include volunteering opportunities. All the initiatives are funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

The initiatives are described in section 9.6.

Sjómaq is a project with the objective to strengthen the bond between young people in the Danish Realm, which consists of Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Denmark. Despite a long common history, many young people feel that they know little about each other’s cultures, languages and society. Young people can learn more about each other by discussing prejudices and cultural differences.The project funds activities across the three countries and hosts a range of annual activities.

The project is administered by DUF, AFS and MFS from the Faroe Islands and SORLAK from Greenland. The project is funded with a total of 14 million DKK from the Finance Bill 2022-2026 (North Atlantic Pool).

Quality assurance

Mechanisms for quality assurance of cross-border learning for young people in Denmark

In Denmark, no uniform quality assurance system for any of the mentioned programmes exists. Each mobility programme has its own system and is subject to the respective rules and regulations of the funding providers. However, the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG) play a key role in ensuring the quality of student mobility in higher education. In Denmark, ESG is implemented across the entire higher education system through the national accreditation framework, overseen by the Danish Accreditation Institution (Danmarks Akkrediteringsinstitution). By adhering to European quality assurance principles, this system enhances transparency, recognition of qualifications, and the transfer of study credits, supporting international student mobility and collaboration.

Quality assurance in Erasmus+ and ESC

All organisations implementing mobility activities must adhere to a common set of Erasmus quality standards. The standards exist to ensure good mobility experience and learning outcomes for all participants, and to ensure that all organisations receiving the programme’s funding are contributing to its objectives and meet high-quality criteria.

Furthermore, quality organizations have the possibility of being certified (accreditation/ECHE/Quality Label), which shows that organizations are able and willing to carry out high-quality projects in accordance with the principles, objectives, and quality standards of the Erasmus+ programme and ESC.

Lastly, the national agency (in Denmark, the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science) can carry out technical and financial checks and audits in relation to the use of grants, as well as the monitoring of projects on the spot. Furthermore, in some actions, organisations are asked to submit an interim report, and all beneficiaries are obliged to submit a final report. If the activities generating the grant are not implemented or if the quality of the realised activities/outputs is of insufficient quality, the funding can be reduced.

Quality assurance in Nordplus

During the award process, quality assurance mechanisms take place according to pre-defined award criteria. Furthermore, all parties receiving funding from Nordplus must submit a final report. The final report must answer questions concerning how the activities were carried out, how the results were obtained, and how the grant was used. For projects longer than 18 months, an interim report must be submitted halfway through the project period. The final report is divided into a contents section and a financial section. The financial report must be authorised by a finance unit of the participating institution or organisation.

Furthermore, Nordplus can carry out follow-up visits and audits in relation to the use of grant.

Quality assurance in other mobility programmes

The small mobility programmes have a variety of quality assurance mechanism. Often, beneficiaries are obliged to document the realised activities. This could be in the form of a final report, and for longer projects also an interim report. The final report may consist of an activity report (realised activities and how the results were obtained) and a financial report (how the grant was used). Some programmes oblige beneficiaries to hand in accounting reports, some of which should be verified by an auditor.

Furthermore, the quality assurance mechanism may be in the form of an approval of the study abroad period by the Danish education institution, for instance in the Danish Work Placements Abroad (OPU) programme, where the Danish education institution must approve the training agreement.

For quality assurance in the Ambassadors for Dialogue programme administered by the Danish Youth Council, see section 9.4, ‘Raising awareness about global issues’.