How to apply for a PhD position in Denmark
How can you do a PhD in Denmark?
A PhD in Denmark is generally a three-year research programme during which you are employed and receive a salary. Therefore, the first step is to decide which type of PhD you wish to apply for.
There are essentially three routes to a PhD:
- Job postings
The most common approach is to apply for a specific PhD post at a university. In such cases, the research project is typically already described in the job advertisement, so you do not necessarily need to draw up a separate project proposal. Instead, you should focus on your academic background, your skills and your motivation for the project in your application. - Industrial PhD
An industrial PhD is carried out in collaboration between a company and a university. Your application must be based on a research project that has both academic relevance and value for the company. The project description is therefore a key part of the application. An industrial PhD requires both a supervisor employed by the university and a supervisor from the relevant company. It is therefore usually to your advantage to have reached an agreement with both supervisors before applying for funding for the project. - Open calls or your own project proposal
Some universities offer open calls, where you develop and describe the research project yourself. In these cases, the project description is a crucial element in the assessment of the application.
Get support from IDA throughout your PhD
We help you with legal advice, professional sparring and networking when you are writing your PhD thesis.
What are the requirements for a PhD application?
Your application is assessed by an evaluation committee, and although the requirements vary between universities and academic disciplines, applicants are typically assessed on the basis of three main criteria:
Your professional qualifications
Your grades may be a factor, but it is just as important that you can demonstrate relevant professional skills. You should therefore describe the methods, techniques, laboratory skills, programming languages or analysis tools you have mastered. These are often of greater interest to the selection panel than a long list of courses.
The ability to carry out a research project
The assessment panel must be confident that you are capable of planning, carrying out and completing a research project. It is therefore important to highlight your experience of project work, dissertation projects, research activities, collaboration and independent problem-solving.
Motivation
A PhD involves working on complex problems where the solution is not known in advance. Your motivation for research, knowledge development and academic engagement is therefore highly valued. It is important that your application demonstrates why you wish to undertake this particular project and what motivates you in your research work.
What are the requirements for the project description in a PhD application?
For industrial PhDs and applications with your own project proposal, you must write your own project description. We recommend that you ensure your project description answers the following questions:
- Does the project contribute new knowledge or new perspectives?
- Are the project’s objectives and expected results clearly described?
- Does the project have academic or societal relevance?
- Is the plan realistic, and does the project appear feasible within the PhD period?
Assessing and addressing these aspects usually requires a good understanding of a given research area. It may therefore be beneficial to consult a supervisor at a university to refine your project description before submitting it.
Start well in advance and seek feedback on your application
Whichever route you choose, it is always a good idea to start the process well in advance and check the specific requirements of the university or company you are applying to.
IDA’s career advisers are happy to provide feedback on both your CV and your application.