Educational system
Nine years of schooling is compulsory in Denmark.  The elementary and lower secondary school is comprehensive, e.g. the children are not divided up on the basis of ability, sex or social background.
The pupils decide themselves if they wish to continue in High School to obtain qualifications for higher education.

General access requirements to higher education in Denmark are 12 years of education including one of the following secondary school leaving examinations or comparable qualifications:

• studentereksamen (stx) (Upper Secondary School Leaving Examination)
• højere forberedelseseksamen (hf) (Higher Preparatory Examination)
• højere handelseksamen (hhx) (Higher Business Examination)
• højere teknisk eksamen (htx)(Higher Technical Examination)

On completion of high school education there are, in Denmark, more universities, university colleges and many other institutes of higher learning which can be attended.
Almost all education is free of charge, as a part of the welfare system.
From the age of 18, young people receiving education may obtain public support, known as the State Educational Grant (Statens Uddannelsesstøtte), SU.  This is approximately 600 Euro per month, therefore social or economic status does not prevent anyone from undertaking higher education.  Nevertheless most Danish students also have a job during their studies.

More information about the Danish educational system can be obtained from:

http://www.denmark.dk
http://www.ciriusonline.dk/Default.aspx?ID=3771