An institution belongs to the Danish higher education system only if it is publicly recognised in at least one of the following ways:
- The institution or education at the institution is accredited under the Danish accreditation legislation for higher education.
- The institution is defined as a higher education institution by law.
- The institution is defined as a higher education institution by the relevant ministry.
- The institution has been approved by the relevant ministry to provide one or more higher education programmes, i.e. study programmes offered on the basis of legislation, under public supervision, and with entry requirements including at least a general upper secondary qualification or a complete vocational education and training qualification.
Institutions without the above-mentioned public recognition do not belong to the Danish higher education system, and credentials awarded by them are not qualifications of the Danish higher education system. Such institutions are not subject to Danish higher education legislation and are not monitored or quality assured by Danish higher education authorities.
To check if an institution is part of the Danish higher education system, please use our list of recognised institutions:
Diploma mills
A diploma mill is a business posing as an educational institution, which sells diplomas without any requirements for serious study, research or examination. Diploma mills operate without any recognition by national education authorities or lawful accreditation.
Some of the most common characteristics of diploma mills are:
- The institution does not appear on the national education authority's list of recognised institutions.
- The institution's name is similar to the name of a well-known reputable university.
- No credible physical address is provided.
- There is little if any attendance required of students, either online or in class.
- The institution may offer ‘non-traditional education’ or ‘distance learning’ and recognise credits based on life experience.
- The institution claims to be accredited by accreditation agencies which are neither recognised by national competent authorities nor authorised by law to provide accreditation ("accreditation mills").
- There is a strong emphasis on fees and payment options, e.g. credit cards.
- Some of the qualifications offered have unlikely titles.
Read more about diploma mills:
Private businesses offering educational certificates
Private businesses can offer educational certificates legally without any public approval or recognition.
Similarly, registration of a business does not constitute any approval or recognition of the business as an educational institution.
The Central Business Register (CVR) contains data on all registered businesses in Denmark.
The CVR data on a business, e.g. concerning its activity and purpose, are self-reported by the business. In other words, a diploma mill can present itself as an educational institution in CVR.
In CVR you can also find information about the staff size and finances and about other entities at the same address. This can provide an indication of the activity that is taking place.
The university title is protected
In Denmark, the title of "universitet", the equivalent term in other languages and their abbreviations may be used only by universities under the Universities Act and by institutions authorised to use the title under other Danish legislation. Some educational and research institutions that are recognised by foreign law or international law etc. are not covered by the restriction.
The restriction applies only where the term university is part of an institution's title or name etc. and the institution is engaged in activities that are likely to be confused with education and university activities. For example, the restriction does not affect a café with the name "University Café".
The protection of the university title is laid down in the University Act (section 33 a):