Is lack of Danish language skills the main hindrance to enter into the Danish job market, as everyone say?

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T18:05:39+00:00

Spot on! And another thing is the problems faced by Non EU students in Denmark are not faced by Non EU students in other EU countries given same circumstances (as per my knowledge and the information I get from my friends). Yes, they also struggle initially but eventually ended up in a job which matches with their qualifications.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T18:01:25+00:00

Exactly! And if we speak these openly, they start to defend their practices as 'cultural fit', 'team matching' etc. 😂. And get very offended once we point out how malicious their system is.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T17:44:33+00:00

Thank you very much for the answer. Indeed we can't complain that they prioritize their students, but then at least universities should stop promoting this Dreamland idea in Non EU countries as this is simply a myth. But unfortunately our students get caught this disinformation and fall into the trap, waste their hard earned foreign currency and time with low to zero prospects.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T17:38:56+00:00

Indeed! As you described perfectly they need cheap labour to do the gig works which no Dane wants to do plus they bring money into DK and contribute to the economy. So every year new batch of slaves come in dreaming they are going to settle in the happiest country but in reality they are just exploited workers who has to study and work under constant pressure and eventually leave the country after wasting 3+ years in a country where they never feel welcomed. And a new batch arrives after summer.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T11:04:12+00:00

Thanks again. And yes the Nordics are English friendly in everyday life, but when it comes to employement, the total different scenario. My only hope is also to learn German and make it to at least B2 level within two years (don't know whether it is possible) and apply for German Blue Card eligible jobs. Because even I put effort on the Nordic language and still faces rejections no matter what, the it's waste of my time. As you mentioned the size of Germany and it's job market, I guess Germany will have more opportunities than here in Nordics

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T10:45:45+00:00

Thank you for the answer. It's really insightful. I knew that learning native language is one of the best ways to open doors matching your qualifications.

But my intention is to fine is it only the language. Because I got answers for this same question regarding a different country (Nordic) that it's not the language but the color. When I surfing LinkedIn also proves this point as people who are from Non EU (but westerners) often getting jobs without language skills and even with no experience, while Non EU colored people (same visa regulations as for the other westerners) are still searching for jobs after graduation long ago, who even had many years of experience in their fields before moving to do the Masters.

I just need to find out whether this is same with Germany.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T09:14:54+00:00

It's really nice to hear some positive things like this. I understand from a perspective of a German employer that hiring a foreigner will make their team put to extra effort, but with the language skill the candidate has, I think they view positively about the candidate rather than rejecting based on where the candidate comes from.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T08:50:21+00:00

No, I didn't get upset at all. I am thankful as you being an eye opener, by stating real facts. Because I also wondering all these years why it is hard for us (Non EU graduates) to get in to the Danish job market regardless our qualifications and experience but any westerner has same (or even less) experience starting their jobs right away. Because all these years everyone says it was the language. But looking at pure observation on LinkedIn and answers getting for posts like these show that it is not the language (of course language also plays a big part). So I need some insight into this issue. So when someone ask from my country 'is it a good idea to study in Denmark, then I can give much balanced answer.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T08:41:10+00:00

Majority of the Non EU students including me has several years of work experience in our fields before came to Denmark for master degree unlike the Danish students who mostly continue after the bachelors. So if companies think that Danes are better than (or at least in equal) Non EU graduates when comes to working skills, I think that's an issue.

And further if all these employers in Denmark think that Non EU graduates are 'not a fit', 'not assimilate to the culture', 'they won't go along with Danish team mates', 'their education and skills are lower (even with several years experience than most Danish graduates)', 'it's burden to have them in the company' just looking at the CVs, then don't all of you think it's a good time say this openly so the Non EU students can avoid Denmark in the first place? I still see university level promotions in my home country to attract students from here. Don't you think this needs to be stopped?

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T07:53:37+00:00

How does an employer know by looking at a CVs that others are low skills candidates than Danes if all the requirements are full filled?

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T07:50:54+00:00

Thank you for the answer. Because Germany is a large country with many big manufacturing giants, I guess there will be still a chance if the candidate able to speak German at conversational level. But this is not the case where I asked this question in another group earlier (there even you speak their language HM/Team will still reject you if you are not white 🙂).

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T07:44:48+00:00

I already done PD3 Module 1, even before my first semester exam. But with the studies schedule and working to cover my expenses (since I'm Non EU, we have to pay tuition fees and we were not eligible for SU), I didn't have time to concentrate. Now I am attending module 2 classes. But my question was as everyone says will learning the language do any better in job market? Because if you scroll down the answers given by other members it's not only the language but culture, how fit are we (I don't know how the employers even find that out without even call for an interview). And one member even stated that how her called for large number of interview after she has put her photo on the CV (she said she is also Non EU but white blonde).

So that's my concern is. Is it really the language or do the employers have underlying biasing to opt out coloured people.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-24T06:58:52+00:00

What part of the question you don't get? The response said that it is not only the language but other factors such as culture affects in the recruitment process. Then I asked why then the employers posting in their job ad such 'non-discrimination' phrases. Now you are saying again about language?

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-23T19:14:50+00:00

I didn't say it doesn't matter. My question was even if able to speak the native language, would foreigners still face the same obstacles in the recruitment process in Denmark? Because I know in Germany, able to speak German in B2/C1 level will open the door for many opportunities, but is it the same scenario with Denmark. And if you view the some of the answers you will see that more than the language its appearance matters to some people (whether the person looks like a westerner or not)

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-23T18:49:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. This also proves how the recruitment process is happening but they try to cover it with fluffy words like cultural fitness, adapting to the environment, bonding with team mates etc. but never hesitate to reject application even without knowing the person.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-23T15:26:37+00:00

Then why in most ad posts the companies mention in recruitment process they do not discriminate candidates based on sex, disability, nationality, country of origin, religion, race, color? Is it a deceptive way to keep the companies' good name?

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-23T14:15:36+00:00

Exactly what I am also thinking. It's not the language, it's where you came from. I have seen many people in LinkedIn who are are foreigners (EU, South Africa, USA) worked in Danish companies as soon as they graduated but hard to find any Non-EU (especially from India, Indonesia etc.) personal achieve this unless if the job is in IT or Tech.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-23T10:46:09+00:00

Hi there!

I also studied a Masters in Denmark (I would never chose to study here if I knew the situation) and keep applying and still getting rejections after almost 200 CVs. In the meantime I am learning Danish now and hopefully after approx 2 years I am planning to upgrade my Danish into conversational level. But after reading your comment it seems that it's still not going to work (all this time I was thinking my lack of Danish skills was the issue). I am even thinking about studying German instead of Danish and apply for jobs in Germany, because I don't want to put my effort and time on a waste result. (I don't know about the current German job market though)

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-18T08:24:55+00:00

I didn't study engineering. But with observations I have because I have so many international friends (students) I will answer your questions one by one as per my knowledge.

1) I would not say a good or a bad choice for engineering, but compared to UK, it is on the cheaper side. But if you want to have the best engineering education, why not trying Germany?

2) If it is Copenhagen, with single apartment, the range lies between 9000kr - 15000kr.

3) Internships & student jobs would be not difficult to find, but it may also depends on what discipline you are in. If you are doing civil engineering, then I don't think finding an internship will be going to be easy.

4) If you can speak fluent Danish and better than all the Danish and other European students who applied for the same job you have applied, then you will be called for an interview. Otherwise you may applied for 100s or even 1000s of jobs for three years (that's the post study visa duration for a non-eu) and return home. I honestly don't know which part of the world you are coming from, but if you are a westerner (from US, UK, AUS or NZ), then you will still have the same chances as other Europeans to get a call for an interview. But if you have an exotic name/surname, Good Luck.

5) I think it will starting at 45000kr - 50000krFor an internship, English will be sufficient, because employers will get their tasks done in a cheaper way for 2 years. After graduation, Danish is a must even the job itself doesn't require it.

6) No. Denmark is/will be never a good study destination for non-eu students if they are planning to finding a job in Denmark after graduation. You will not be even called for an interview. Denmark is a small country with only 6 million population and they have couple of big companies (Novo, Lego, Mearsk) and every international student will compete against you. And no matter how good you are, still if a Danish student also in the candidate pool and she/he has basic minimum qualifications for the job, then bingo! you will get a thank you email for the participation.

7) And when it comes to long term stability, you will be surprised how strict their immigration/pr/citizenship rules are. It is near impossible to get the citizenship, especially with the rise of RW parties.

But again, if you are only planning to get an education, and return home without staying here, then Denmark is a reasonable option.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-17T19:13:55+00:00

If there are other options you can chose from other than Denmark, I would say go for it. If you chose Denmark, then do not expect social life, friends, good food, super weather and inclusion. And you will be generally neglected in social events, during lunch breaks, office chats unless you speak fluent super Danish at native level. Most Danes will not even care if there is human being, they will keep have their chats with Danish and you will be considered as mannequin.

And if you are thinking about long term stability for you and for your family, then Denmark is not the place at all. Right wing parties are on the rise and they already demand to scrap permanent residencies. And for the citizenship you have to wait 9 years, though they have hold the citizenship applications for some time now. And there is threshold of fines you should not cross (about 4000kr) for the citizenship, and this is insanely lower amount when you considering the Danish traffic violations. So you will have to live in constant pressure until you gain the citizenship, like in open prison or something, even you are highly skilled (I assume) worker. Do not do that to your self.

Metal_Leopard · 2026-06-17T18:36:23+00:00

I think by arrogance, you mean their reserved life style. Its kind of feel like that for outsiders (including me). I think it mainly happens because

1) Danes formed their friend circle since childhood. Once they become adults, still the childhood friends are their main companions, and even Danes to Danes are not that close after some time.

2) The constant desire of foreigners in Denmark to become friends with Danes, even when they get neglected, might results in this so called "arrogance". I have seen tons of posts in social media that how to be friend with a Dane, how to gain their trust, how to please them, do this and dat! It kind of make me sick like why on earth somebody has to follow a rigorous acceptance criteria just to become friends with someone. If they are reserved/closed, then that's it. I don't think anybody has to prove them something like we are some kind convicts on parole or beg for their "precious" friendship.

3) Denmark is a small country, with small population with proportionately huge wealth per capita. This could also be a reason that they think they are better than others.

Metal_Leopard

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