Curriculum, subjects, number of hours

Vocational education and training programmes

Vocational education and training (VET) programmes consist of a basic programme, that is divided into two parts, followed by a main programme.

When applying for a VET programme, the student must choose one of the four subject areas:

1. Care, health and pedagogy;

2. Office, trade and business service;

3. Food, agriculture and experiences;

4. Technology, construction and transportation.

The individual VET institution organises areas of specialisation within the four subject areas.

The basic programme (the first part)

In the first two weeks, students receive instruction in introductory vocational subjects after which they choose an area of specialisation. Areas of specialisation are directed towards multiple VET programmes.

The first part provides the student with insight into different VET programmes and industries through subjects that give the students both general and vocational competences. The students have the following subjects during the first part of the basic programme:

• Vocational subject 1: Introductory vocational subjects (the first two weeks);

• Vocational subject 2: General competences such as workplace culture, society and health as well as how to apply for a training place;

• Vocational subject 3: Vocational subjects about knowledge, process and method;

• Basic subject: Danish;

• Optional subject.

At the end of the first part of the basic programme, the student chooses the specific VET programme.

The basic programme (the second part)

During the second part of the basic programme, the instruction consists of:

• Education specific subjects that provide the students with the vocational competences targeted the main programme the student has chosen;

• Basic subjects that provide the students with basic competences such as mathematics, foreign languages, etc.;

• Optional subjects.

There can be instruction in certificates as well.

The main programme

During the main programme, the student alternates between instruction at VET schools and practical work experience at their training place. The majority of the main programme consists of practical work experience.

Instruction at the VET schools encompasses the following subjects:

• Basic subjects;

• Vocational subjects;

• Education specific subjects.

Vocational education programme qualifying for access to higher education

The vocational education programme qualifying for access to higher education (EUX programme) is a combination of a general upper secondary education programme and a vocational education and training programme. All mercantile VET programmes and a majority of technical VET programmes are offered as EUX programmes.

In 2025, the Danish government and two opposition parties agreed on a reform that reorganises the upper secondary education landscape. This entails, among other things, that the EUX programme will be abolished and replaced by the new epx programme in 2030.

The organisation of the EUX programme, including the subjects and instruction time, depends on whether it is a mercantile EUX programme or a technical EUX programme. At the main programme at both mercantile and technical EUX programmes, the student alternates between instruction and practical work experience at a training place.

Mercantile EUX programmes

The basic programme contains eight subjects at C-level*:

1. Danish;

2. English;

3. Social science;

4. Mathematics;

5. Business informatics;

6. Business economics;

7. Organisation;

8. A basic subject targeted the VET programme.

Mercantile EUX programmes contain a course qualifying for higher education with a duration of one year. This includes instruction in a number of subjects at general upper secondary education level. Danish at A-level**, English at B-level*** and informatics and B-level are included in all mercantile EUX courses. In addition, the EUX programme contains a number of subjects that are relevant for the individual VET programme as well as a vocational field project

The main programme is the same as in ordinary VET programmes, both regarding content and duration.

Technical EUX programmes

The basic programme contains six subjects at C-level of which the following four are the same for all technical EUX programmes: 

1. Danish;

2. English;

3. Social science;

4. Mathematics.

The remaining two subjects are targeted the individual VET programme. It can be physics, technology, chemistry, biology and design.

In addition to the ordinary content of VET programmes, the main programme includes instruction in a number of subjects at general upper secondary education level. Danish at A-level and English at B-level are included in all technical EUX programmes. In addition, the EUX programme contains a number of subjects that are relevant for the individual VET programme as well as a vocational field project.

Teaching methods and materials

Teaching methods and materials are selected at the institutional level and teachers are free to choose the teaching methods and materials. Guidance, teaching material and learning resources are made available for teachers at Emu.dk by the Ministry of Children and Education.

Regarding EUX programmes, the instruction is organised so it incorporates the students’ VET programme to the greatest extent possible.

* C-level refers to a subject’s level in general upper secondary education. C-level is the lowest level in general upper secondary education.

** A-level refers to a subject’s level in general upper secondary education. A-level is the highest level in general upper secondary education.

*** B-level refers to a subject’s level in general upper secondary education. B-level is the middle level in general upper secondary education.

References

Bibliography

EMU, 2022: Objectives (Formål). [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025a: About the EUX programme (Om eux). [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025b: Overview of the basic programmes (Overblik over grundforløb). [Accessed 24 November 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025c: The first part of the basic programme (Grundforløbets 1. del). [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025d: The second part of the basic programme (Grundforløbets 2. del). [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025e: Main programme (Hovedforløb). [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025f: Subject areas and areas of specialisation (Hovedområder og fagretninger). [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Legislation and Official Policy documents

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2020: Ministerial Order on requirements for the organisation of EUX programmes (Bekendtgørelse om krav til udformning af eux-forløb), BEK no 1599 of 11/11/2020. [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2022: Act on Vocational Education Programme Qualifying for Access to Higher Education (Bekendtgørelse af lov om erhvervsfaglig studentereksamen i forbindelse med erhvervsuddannelse (eux) m.v.), LBK no. 537 of 02/05/2022. [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2024: Act on Vocational Education and Training Programmes (Bekendtgørelse af lov om erhvervsuddannelser), LBK no. 961 of 16/08/2024. [Accessed 11 November 2025]

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2025: Ministerial Order on Vocational Education and Training Programmes (Bekendtgørelse om erhvervsuddannelser), BEK no. 1671 of 13/11/2025. [Accessed 5 January 2026]