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From basic course to qualified office worker
Office education is part of the commercial main area – office, retail and business service. It is an alternating education where you alternate between going to school and being at a workplace. This means you learn the theory at a vocational school and test it in a real company along the way. Combined the education takes about four years but the length depends on where you start and which path you choose.
§Basic course 1 and 2
If you come directly from grade 9 or 10, you start on basic course 1. Here you are introduced to the commercial area broadly, and you find out whether office work is for you. Basic course 1 typically lasts half a year.
Then basic course 2 follows which also lasts about half a year. Now the education points toward the office trade. You work with administration communication economics and IT in more concrete projects and you prepare to start your apprenticeship. If you come to this later than two years after primary school you can skip directly to basic course 2.
§The main course and the specialization
When you have an apprenticeship agreement with a company you enter the main course. This is where you really train in a specialty — for example administration economics audit freight and shipping or public administration. The main course spans about two years and consists mainly of practical work at the workplace interrupted by short school periods.
During school periods, you meet with other students and work on subjects related to your specific specialty. The theoretical part of the main course is relatively short compared to the actual internship – the weight is out in the company where you solve real tasks for real customers and colleagues.
| Part 1 · The trunk | Where | Approx. duration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Vocational school | ½ år |
| Basic course 2 | Vocational school | ½ år |
| Main course | Apprenticeship + short school periods | Ca. 2 år |
§Entry requirements and admission
To start a vocational education after 9th or 10th grade you normally must have at least 2.0 on average in both Danish and mathematics from primary school's leaving exam. If you don't meet the grade requirement you can get in via an entrance exam and interview at the school.
You apply through the central digital application portal on optagelse.dk. Remember the deadline in spring if you want to start in summer. An important part of the education is finding a practical placement – you can apply for an apprenticeship both before and after the basic course, and the school helps you search.
- 01Alternating education: school and practical training in turn
- 02Basic course 1 (½ year) + basic course 2 (½ year)
- 03Main course of approx. 2 years with specialization
- 04Access via grade requirements or entrance exam
- 05Application through optagelse.dk