Youth education

If you are under 18 and do not speak Danish, you start in a reception class. This class helps you learn Danish and prepare for future education in Denmark.

The reception class:

• focuses on Danish language learning
• prepares you for youth education
• has fewer students, so teachers have more time for each pupil
• is free to attend, as it is part of the public school system

When you turn 18, you can continue learning Danish at the language school in Aarhus.

After you finish the reception class, your teachers and an educational guidance counsellor will help you choose the right education program.

When you move to Aarhus, your parents must apply for your enrolment. The application is handled by the municipal department Pedagogy, Education & Leisure.

Learn more about reception classes and enrolment here

Need help choosing your next step? Talk to local counsellors who guide young people about education and job opportunities.

You can get guidance about education and jobs from counsellors in your municipality.UU (Ungdommens Uddannelsesvejledning) helps you to understand your options for youth education in Denmark.

What UU counsellors do

• Guide students in grades 7–10
• Visit schools and offer individual or group guidance
• Explain education paths and job possibilities
• Help you choose a youth education programme
• Support young people who are not in school or work

If you are under 18

Find the counsellor connected to your school or local area. Enter your municipality, birthday, first name and street name here:

Find your counsellor (UU‑vejleder)

If you are 18–25

Visit the guidance centre during the hours listed under Open Guidance (Åben Vejledning). They can help you understand your options and plan your next steps.

National eGuidance 

You can also contact the national eGuidance (eVejledning), where you can receive guidance every day via phone, chat, and email.

Contact information 

Aarhus Youth Guidance Centre (UU)

UddannelsesGuiden is the national information and guidance portal of the Ministry of Children and Education

Learn more!

Studievalg Danmark offers free guidance on choosing higher and vocational education and future careers in Denmark.

If you’re an international applicant, they can help you find your way through the system and find the info you need.

See your options

To become a skilled worker, you can take a vocational education, in Danish called an erhvervsuddannelse.  

The vocational education and training system (VET-system) in Denmark consists of more than 100 vocational educations. You can become a carpenter, hairdresser, gardener, electrician or several other skilled professions.

As a student, you will alternate between school and apprenticeship.

Vocational upper secondary education and training (VET) programmes can be divided into 

• EUD - vocational education and training
• EUX - vocational education programme qualifying for access to higher education
• EUV - vocational education and training for adults

Contact information 

Aarhus Youth Guidance Centre (UU)

A general upper secondary education provides access to higher education. The two-year hf programme qualifies the holder for admission to higher education programmes at academies and university colleges. The three-year programmes stx, hhx, and htx also qualify for admission to universities.

In Denmark, you can choose between

• HF - Higher Preparatory Examination Programme
• STX - Higher General Examination Programme
• HHX - Higher Commercial Examination Programme
• HTX - Higher Technical Examination Programme 

Contact information 

Aarhus Youth Guidance Centre (UU)

STU is a three-year youth education for young people with special needs, e.g. mental handicaps, who cannot complete another youth education.

If you are under 25 years old and have no education, this education might be something for you. 

The education is for you who cannot complete a common youth education - even if you got Special Educational Assistance (SPS). 

Contact your social worker or educational guidance counsellor (UU-vejleder).

Read more in Danish

Contact information 

Aarhus Youth Guidance Centre (UU)

Aarhus Gymnasium offers a one-year pre-IB and a two-year IB Diploma Programme.

Aarhus Gymnasium has high IB (International Baccalaureate) pass rates, and students often get results above the world average.

Students go on to universities in Denmark and around the world, and many say the international environment and strong IB programme help them prepare for further studies.

Study IB in Aarhus