A range of institutions offer adult education and continuing training programmes. This includes adult education centres, vocational colleges, AMU centres, business academies, university colleges and universities.

Adult education centres

Adult education centres offer preparatory adult education (FVU programmes), general adult education (auv programmes) and hf single subjects.

The board

At the adult education centres, the board is responsible for the overall management. Among other fields of responsibility, the board is responsible for:

• Deciding on the centre’s offer of education programmes, activities and capacity;

• Approving the budget and financial statement of the centre;

• Appointing and dismissing the centre’s head.

The board consists of six to ten members of which a majority of the members are external, mainly from the local area of the adult education centre. The board consists of:

• External members;

• A chairman elected by the board among the external members;

• Two course participant representatives elected by the course participants council;

• Two staff representatives elected by and among the staff.

Together, the external board members must have experience with development of education programmes, quality assurance, management, organisation and finances.

The board members can receive renumeration according to rules determined by the Minister for Children and Education after negotiation with the Minister for Finance.

The head

The head, who is appointed by the board, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the adult education centre. This includes ensuring that the centre is managed and developed in accordance with the centre’s purpose and the strategies and objectives set forth by the board.

Education committees

At each adult education centre, the board sets up an education committee that advises the centre. The education committee is comprised of representatives for employers and employees as well as representatives for the collective agreement parties. The education committee might also have members appointed by the adult education centre. 

Vocational colleges and AMU centres

Vocational colleges offer vocational education and training for adults (EUV programmes) and AMU centres offer adult vocational training programmes (AMU programmes).

The board

At vocational colleges and AMU centres, the board is responsible for the overall management. This includes both the administrative and financial management of the institution as well as the education activities that the institution carries out. 

Among other fields of responsibility, the board is responsible for:

• Deciding on the institution’s offer of education programmes, activities and capacity;

• Approving the budget and financial statements of the institution;

• Appointing and dismissing the institution’s head.

The board is comprised of six to 12 members of which a majority of the members are external, mainly from the local area of the institution. The board consists of:

• External members;

• A chairman elected by the board among the external members;

• Two student representatives are elected by the course participants council;

• Two staff representatives are elected by and among the staff at the institution.

Altogether, the external board members must have relevant work experience with the institution’s field of operation as well as experience with management, organisation and finances.

The board members can receive renumeration according to rules determined by the Minister for Children and Education after negotiation with the Minister for Finance.

The head

The head, who is appointed by the board, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the institution. This includes ensuring that the institution is managed and developed in accordance with the institution’s purpose and the strategies and objectives set forth by the board.

Business academies, university colleges, and universities

Adult higher education, including academy profession (part-time) programmes, diploma programmes and master programmes, are offered at business academies, university colleges and universities.

At the business academies, university colleges and universities, the overall management is carried out by a board, while the day-to-day management is carried out by a rector.

For more information on the management staff working in higher education, including requirements for appointment, please visit chapter 9.5. 

References

Bibliography

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2024a: The institution’s board (Institutionens bestyrelse). [Accessed 24 July 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2024b: The school head (Skolelederen). [Accessed 24 July 2025]

Legislation and official policy documents

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2024a: Act on institutions for general upper secondary education and general adult education etc. (Bekendtgørelse af lov om institutioner for almengymnasiale uddannelser og almen voksenuddannelse m.v.), LBK no. 146 of 14/02/2024. [Accessed 24 July 2025]

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2024b: Act on institutions for vocational upper secondary education (Bekendtgørelse af lov om institutioner for erhvervsrettet uddannelse), LBK no. 145 of 14/02/2024. [Accessed 24 July 2025]