- University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet)(Denmark)
Medical & Clinical Fellowship Programs – Full Details
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is the leading medical institution in Denmark, with its Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and affiliations with major hospitals such as Rigshospitalet and Bispebjerg Hospital.
Program Structure & Departments
- Clinical Fellowships:
Offered in almost all hospital departments, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Psychiatry, and more.
- Research Fellowships:
Strong in translational medicine, molecular biology, public health, epidemiology, and clinical trials.
Entry Conditions & Requirements
- Medical Degree:
Non-Danish applicants must have an MD or equivalent from a recognized institution, with diploma and transcripts (translated into English or Danish).
- Postgraduate Experience:
Most programs require at least 2–3 years of clinical experience.
- Language:
Clinical fellowships typically require Danish (minimum B2) due to patient contact.
Some research or laboratory fellowships are in English.
Danish classes may be offered to fellows in long-term positions.
- Licensing:
- For hands-on patient care: You must apply for temporary Danish medical authorization from the Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed).
- For observerships: Danish license not required, but you cannot provide direct care.
- Other Documents:
CV, statement of purpose, 2+ references, sometimes a research proposal, and health clearance.
Regulations & Program Details
- Supervision:
Fellows work under close supervision, especially for direct patient care.
- Duration:
- Clinical Fellowships: 1–2 years is typical, extendable.
- Research Fellowships: 6–24 months.
- Observerships: 1–6 months.
- Fees:
- Tuition: Clinical fellowships are generally salaried positions (not fee-paying). You are employed as a clinical fellow/doctor with a monthly salary (approx. DKK 35,000–45,000/month, or USD 5,000–6,500).
- Observerships may be unpaid; research fellowships may have stipends via grants.
- Departmental Differences:
- Oncology: Access to state-of-the-art cancer centers, clinical trials.
- Neurology: Focus on neurodegenerative and vascular disorders, with hands-on neuroimaging.
- Pediatrics: Rotations through NICU, general and specialist clinics.
- Surgery: Advanced minimally invasive, transplant, and trauma programs.
Additional Features
- Application Process:
Apply via the hospital HR department, or for research via the Faculty’s PhD and Research Office. International fellowships are competitive and may be advertised on the university’s “vacancies” page.
- Language Training:
Paid Danish language training may be included in your contract for long-term fellows.
- Insurance:
Public health insurance is provided; liability insurance is often covered by the employer.
- Certification:
Fellows receive a detailed certificate with description of duties, training, and assessments.
- Aarhus University
Medical & Clinical Fellowship Programs – Full Details
Aarhus University and its Faculty of Health is Denmark’s second largest medical education hub, with major clinical affiliates like Aarhus University Hospital (among the best in Scandinavia).
Program Structure & Departments
- Clinical Fellowships:
Offered in all hospital specialties: Cardiology, Endocrinology, Oncology, Surgery, Neurology, Psychiatry, Infectious Diseases, Anesthesiology, and more.
- Research Fellowships:
Emphasis on cancer research, neuroscience, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, and epidemiology.
Entry Conditions & Requirements
- Medical Degree:
MD or equivalent, with full documentation.
- Clinical Experience:
2+ years post-graduation experience required, especially for direct care fellowships.
- Language:
- Danish language (B2 or higher) is usually required for direct patient care.
- English is accepted for research fellowships and some observerships.
- Licensing:
- Clinical authorization from Danish Patient Safety Authority is required for patient contact.
- Supporting Documents:
CV, motivational letter, references, possible interview.
Program Details
- Supervision & Structure:
Direct supervision by departmental consultants.
- Duration:
- Clinical Fellowships: 1–2 years, with potential extensions.
- Research: 6–36 months, sometimes integrated with PhD programs.
- Fees/Salary:
- Clinical fellowships: Paid staff positions with a competitive salary (comparable to UCPH).
- Observerships: No salary, no fees.
- Research: Usually grant-funded or stipend-supported.
- Departmental Features:
- Oncology: Comprehensive, including radiotherapy and experimental trials.
- Psychiatry: Adult and child, with rotations through in-patient and community mental health.
- Endocrinology: Diabetes and metabolic disease focus.
Additional Information
- Visa & Insurance:
University assists with work permit/visa and provides insurance.
- Application:
Centralized portal for staff positions; some departments accept direct applications for fellowships.
- Certification:
Comprehensive documentation of training and evaluation.
- University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Medical & Clinical Fellowship Programs – Full Details
SDU’s Faculty of Health Sciences and associated hospitals (notably Odense University Hospital) provide advanced clinical training.
Program Structure & Departments
- Clinical Fellowships:
Internal Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Oncology, Pediatrics, Urology, Cardiology, Neurology.
- Research Fellowships:
Strong programs in diabetes, biomedicine, reproductive medicine, and patient safety.
Entry Conditions & Requirements
- Degree & Licensing:
As above: recognized MD, clinical experience, licensing for hands-on care.
- Language:
Danish B2 for clinical care, English for research.
- Other:
CV, references, application to department or hospital.
Program Regulations
- Supervision:
Fellows integrated as part of clinical teams.
- Duration:
1–2 years clinical; research 6–24 months.
- Fees/Salary:
- Clinical: Salaried, employee positions (same salary range as above).
- Observerships: Usually unpaid, sometimes a small administration fee.
- Departmental Features:
- Orthopedics: Hip, knee, and spinal surgery.
- Urology: Oncological and reconstructive urology.
Other Features
- Certification:
Documented proof of clinical rotations, skills, and competencies.
- Visa/Relocation:
SDU assists with visas and moving to Denmark.
- Aalborg University
Medical & Clinical Fellowship Programs – Full Details
Aalborg University Hospital is a leading site for clinical research and innovation, particularly in anesthesiology, intensive care, cardiology, and neurology.
Program Structure & Departments
- Clinical Fellowships:
Offered in Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Intensive Care, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics.
- Research Fellowships:
Focus on translational medicine, clinical informatics, cardiovascular research.
Entry Conditions & Requirements
- Degree:
Recognized MD/MBBS.
- Experience:
2+ years preferred.
- Language:
Danish for clinical, English for research.
- Licensing:
As above.
Program Details
- Duration:
Clinical: 1–2 years.
Research: 6–24 months.
- Fees/Salary:
Clinical: salaried as staff.
Research: funded via grants or PhD stipends.
- Departmental Features:
- Intensive Care: Focus on sepsis, trauma, and perioperative medicine.
- Cardiology: Electrophysiology and interventional cardiology training.
Other
- Visa/Insurance:
Full support provided for international fellows.
- Certification:
Official documentation upon completion.
5–30: Other Institutions and Key Information
Denmark’s medical education is highly centralized and world-class, but most clinical fellowships are offered by the four universities above. Other Danish universities (e.g., Roskilde University, Copenhagen Business School, Aarhus School of Architecture) do not have their own clinical medical faculties but may partner with the main universities for certain biomedical or research-only fellowships.
However, some regional hospitals and research centers (sometimes associated with these universities) offer shorter-term observerships or research attachments. These include:
- Herlev and Gentofte Hospital (affiliated with UCPH)
- Hospital Lillebaelt (affiliated with SDU)
- Psychiatric Center Ballerup (UCPH)
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center (for non-clinical research fellowships)
- Steno Diabetes Center (national, diabetes research/clinical training, often via UCPH or SDU)
General National Features
- Language:
Danish is essential for clinical fellowships with direct patient contact, but research and some observational positions may be conducted in English.
- Salary/Fees:
Most clinical fellowships are salaried, not fee-based, reflecting the Danish model.
- Visa & Relocation:
Danish institutions have streamlined support for international staff, including visa, insurance, and housing assistance.
- Certification:
Comprehensive written proof of training, skills, and duties.
References & Resources
- University of Copenhagen: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/
- Aarhus University: https://health.au.dk/
- SDU Health: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/institutter_centre/klinisk_institut
- Aalborg University: https://www.en.aau.dk/education/education-programmes/medicine/
- Danish Patient Safety Authority (licensing): https://stps.dk/en/
- Work in Denmark: https://www.workindenmark.dk/
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Focus: Biomedical Engineering, Health Technology & Research Fellowships
- No clinical hospital-based fellowships.
- DTU Health Tech is renowned for research in medical imaging, bioinformatics, medical device design, and AI in healthcare.
- Fellowship Type: Research-based, typically for PhDs or postdocs, sometimes joint with Copenhagen or Aarhus University Hospital departments.
- Conditions:
- MSc/PhD in biomedical or related fields.
- English proficiency.
- Application via project PI or advertised research posts.
- Duration:
6–36 months (PhD/postdoc projects).
- Fees:
Salaried positions; no tuition for research fellows.
- Departments:
Biomedical Signal Processing, Biomechanics, Digital Health, AI in Medicine.
- Roskilde University
Focus: Health Promotion, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences
- No clinical fellowships or hospital attachments.
- Fellowship Type: Research attachments in health promotion, epidemiology, public health policy.
- Conditions:
- MSc/PhD students or visiting scholars.
- Research interest in social medicine or public health.
- Duration:
6–24 months.
- Fees:
Research positions may be funded via grants or partner institutions.
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center(Denmark)
Focus: Translational Oncology Research
- Not a university, but a leading research institution often hosting international research fellows (PhD, postdoc, visiting researchers).
- Fellowship Type:
Research only (no direct patient care).
- Departments:
Molecular Oncology, Epidemiology, Cancer Prevention.
- Conditions:
- MSc/PhD or MD (research track), English proficiency.
- Duration:
12–36 months.
- Fees:
Salaried or grant-funded.
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) – University of Southern Denmark
Focus: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
- No clinical fellowships.
- Research in biomedicine, health economics, neuroscience, global health.
- Eligibility:
Advanced researchers, postdocs, visiting faculty.
- Duration/Fees:
Fellowship appointments, usually salaried.
- Steno Diabetes Center (National Network)
Focus: Clinical and Translational Diabetes Research
- Not a university, but Denmark’s top diabetes clinical/research centers.
- Fellows usually enrolled via University of Copenhagen or SDU.
- Fellowship Type:
Clinical research (epidemiology, biostatistics, endocrinology); some clinical rotations for international MDs.
- Conditions:
- Clinical background, often Danish language.
- Usually joint appointments or research visits (6–24 months).
- Fees:
Salaried or grant-funded.
- University College Copenhagen (UCC), University College Absalon, University College of Northern Denmark, and other University Colleges
Focus: Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health Education
- Not universities; do not host MD-level clinical fellowships.
- Offer:
Short-term teaching exchanges, public health research, simulation center training for allied health professionals.
11–30: Other Danish Universities and Higher Education Institutions(Denmark)
General Notes
- Aarhus School of Architecture, Copenhagen Business School, IT University of Copenhagen, Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and other regional universities or art/tech schools do not offer medical or clinical fellowships of any kind.
- Some may participate in digital health, bioethics, or health innovation research, but without clinical rotations or hospital-based training for MDs.
Regional Hospitals and Specialty Clinical Centers
Additional Observerships or Attachments
Some regional hospitals (e.g., Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Hvidovre Hospital, Hospital Lillebaelt) occasionally offer:
- Short-term clinical observerships for international doctors (typically <3 months, no direct patient care).
- Arranged via partnership with one of the four main universities.
National Regulations Recap
- Clinical care (with patient contact) requires Danish language (B2+), temporary Danish medical authorization, and usually a contract as a staff doctor (paid position).
- Research fellowships (no patient contact) may be available in English, with funding via grants, scholarships, or salaried academic positions.
- Visa & Insurance:
- University/hospital assists with residency/work permit, public health insurance, and housing.
- Certification:
- All accredited positions (clinical or research) issue official documentation of training, activities, and competencies acquired.
- University Colleges and Allied Health Programs
- Institutions: University College Absalon, University College of Northern Denmark, University College Lillebaelt, Metropolitan University College, University College Syddanmark, VIA University College, University College Copenhagen, etc.
- Focus:
- These are not universities and do not offer clinical fellowships for MDs or foreign doctors.
- They train nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals.
- Some offer research projects, teaching exchanges, or simulation center training for visiting faculty or postgraduates in allied health fields.
- Duration/Fees: Typically short-term, exchange-based, or part of Erasmus/European mobility projects.
- Language: Danish for clinical, English for research/teaching exchanges.
- Clinical Observerships via Regional Hospitals(Denmark)
While the four main universities are the only source of formal clinical fellowships, regional hospitals and some specialty centers (often university-affiliated) offer:
- Observerships:
- For international doctors wishing to gain exposure to Danish clinical practice.
- Departments: Variable—internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, psychiatry, oncology, etc.
- Duration: 1–6 months, usually non-renewable.
- Eligibility:
- Medical degree, active license, professional references, and good standing in home country.
- Danish language proficiency sometimes waived for short, non-patient-facing observerships.
- Scope:
- Strictly observational: No direct patient care, no hands-on procedures.
- Attend ward rounds, outpatient clinics, teaching sessions, and clinical conferences.
- Fees: Usually no tuition, but no salary.
- Certification: Certificate of attendance or participation upon completion.
- How to Apply: Directly through hospital HR/education office or via a host department (with a local sponsor).
Notable Regional Hospitals (Affiliated with Main Universities)
- Herlev and Gentofte Hospital (Copenhagen/UCPH)
- Odense University Hospital (SDU)
- Hospital Lillebaelt (SDU)
- Aarhus University Hospital (Aarhus)
- Aalborg University Hospital (Aalborg)
- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital (UCPH)
- Rigshospitalet – Glostrup (UCPH)
- Hvidovre Hospital (UCPH)
- Research Fellowships at Non-Medical Universities
Other top-30 Danish universities (e.g., Roskilde University, Technical University of Denmark, IT University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Business School) do not have clinical medicine faculties, but may host:
- Research Fellowships (non-clinical):
- Public health, biomedicine, medical engineering, health economics, global health, digital health, epidemiology, social medicine, etc.
- Eligibility: Usually MSc/PhD or postdoc, sometimes open to MDs interested in research only.
- Funding: Salaried or grant-based.
- Language: Usually English, sometimes Danish.
Examples:
- DTU Health Tech: AI in healthcare, imaging technology, medical devices.
- Roskilde University: Social medicine, health policy.
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center: Epidemiology, molecular oncology.
- Steno Diabetes Center: Diabetes and metabolic disease research.
- Short-Term International Exchange and European Mobility Programs
- Erasmus+ and Nordic medical exchange programs sometimes allow medical postgraduates or residents from EU/EEA countries to do:
- Short clinical attachments, mainly in research or non-patient-facing settings.
- Public health or health management rotations.
- Eligibility: Based on agreements between home and host institutions.
- Requirements for Practicing Clinically as a Foreign-Trained Doctor
If your goal is long-term clinical practice or specialty training (residency/fellowship) in Denmark, you must:
- Obtain Danish Medical Authorization:
- Submit diploma, transcripts, proof of clinical training, and documentation of good standing.
- Pass the Danish language exam (minimum B2) and a medical adaptation/proficiency exam.
- Complete an adaptation and training period (evalueringsansættelse) in a hospital.
- Apply through the Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed):
https://stps.dk/en/
- Secure a Position:
- Paid position as a clinical fellow/registrar in a Danish hospital (via open job application).
- Typically recruited through the four major universities or large university hospitals.
