Feature article: More international students must be educated in Denmark - Universities Denmark
International students are increasingly being recognised not simply as students — but as an important part of Denmark’s future talent base.
The board chairs of Denmark’s eight universities have jointly called for the country to welcome more international students, highlighting the contribution they make to Danish society, business, innovation and international engagement. Their message is particularly relevant at a time when Denmark continues to need highly qualified graduates in areas including engineering, IT and fields connected to major societal priorities such as healthcare, security and the green transition.
The numbers help explain why.
According to Danske Universiteter, 44.1% of international university graduates are still living and working in Denmark two years after completing their degree.
An analysis undertaken for DTU also estimates that an international master’s graduate from DTU who remains in Denmark and works there throughout a 45-year career contributes around DKK 38 million to Danish GDP through earnings. The analysis also estimates a substantial positive contribution to public finances over the same period.
Denmark is also creating more opportunities for international students. Under the university reform, Danish universities can establish 1,100 additional English-language university study places annually between 2024 and 2028, rising to 2,500 annually from 2029 — including in fields where there is particular demand for highly qualified talent.
For the Nordic Centre in India, this conversation resonates strongly with work we are already doing. Through our Study and Work in Denmark initiatives in India, NCI works with Danish hashtag#ncimember universities and partners to help Indian students — particularly those in STEM, engineering and technology — understand not only the opportunity to study in Denmark, but also the connections between higher education, innovation, industry and future careers.
Our first Study and Work in Denmark roadtrip brought this conversation directly to students and HEIs in South India last year, and we will return this September with another series of engagements focused on STEM study and career pathways in Denmark.
The aim is not simply student recruitment. It is about helping students make informed choices, connecting Danish universities with talented students in India, and building stronger links between HEIs on both sides and the skills and innovation ecosystems that both countries need.
As Danske Universiteter has emphasised, international students strengthen Denmark’s connections with the wider world.
For Nordic–India higher education cooperation, that relationship can — and should — work in both directions.
Read more from Danske Universiteter:
https://lnkd.in/dSYU4rBQ
#NordicIndia hashtag#StudyInDenmark hashtag#STEM hashtag#InternationalEducation
