Almost all education in Denmark is funded by public means, free of charge and open to everybody. The structure of the educational system gives options and ample opportunities for combining the different programmes.

The "Folkeskole"
(Primary and Lower Secondary School for 7- to 16-year-olds)
Denmark has compulsory education for nine years for the age group 7- to 16-year-olds. The optional offer of education for 6-year-olds in pre-school classes is accepted by approximately 98 per cent. Approximately 90 per cent per year group attend the municipal "Folkeskole", which is a school for nine years run by local authorities. An optional tenth school year is attended by approximately 45 per cent. It is optional for pupils to finish the "Folkeskole" by taking examinations in the most important disciplines. English is taught from the 4th form, German or French from the 7th form. The framework for the curriculum for the "Folkeskole" is laid down by the Ministry of Education.

Youth Education
Approximately 95 per cent of school leavers, i.e. pupils from the final years in the "Folkeskole", continue in some sort of youth education. Youth education consists of three main categories.
Vocational education and training programmes are attended by approximately 35 per cent of a year’s school leavers and qualify students either to join the labour market or to attend certain forms of further education. The vocational education and training programmes alternate between practical training in a company and instruction and training at a vocational college.
Vocational upper secondary education prepares students to continue into further and higher commercial or technical education. Approximately 15 per cent of a year’s school leavers choose this form of education which is provided by the technical and business colleges.
General upper secondary education is attended by approximately 45 per cent of a year’s school leavers. Teaching is academically orientated, and final examination gives access to further and higher education. The programme takes place at the "gymnasium" schools.

Further and Higher Education
Approximately 45 per cent of a year’s school leavers start on some sort of further and higher education at an academic level. Further and higher education is provided partly by higher education institutions with university status, partly by technical and business colleges. All three categories of youth education give students access to further education, but the more specific entrance requirements vary according to the various curricula.

Vocational Colleges
Vocational colleges are basically divided into four groups according to sector:
Technical colleges, business colleges and agricultural colleges are independent institutions under the overall authority of the Ministry of Education. Social and health care colleges are run by the county authorities.
Furthermore, vocational education and training may also take place at one of the 24 "AMU Centres", i.e. labour market training centres. They especially provide short-term supplementary courses qualifying for trade and industry, agriculture and the service sector. The "AMU Centres" are administered by the Ministry of Labour.