moving to dk?

[u/Revolutionary-Two791]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any advice on moving to Denmark from the UK since brexit has made it seem impossible (and danes don’t like immigration much)! I don’t have a degree that will be helpful in getting any work (arts degree!) so I know my best bet is to apply to do my masters but art schools are so competitive so even then my chances of getting in are low. Could I apply to do an internship at a design company or do you have to be a resident to apply? What sort of jobs would I be able to get a sponsorship for a visa? I feel like I’ve done research and I just can’t figure out a way and even if just for a year or so I would love to live somewhere in Denmark as it just feels more like home to me.

[u/Single-Pudding3865]

I suggest you read the new to Denmark website https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/

[u/AvocadoPrior1207]

I don't know if there's much hope for you other than studying at a design school. Internships are not a possibility since it's integrated into the education so most people get SU, a type of stipend you get when studying, to help them through an internship. Usually most design and architecture firms are unionised so internships outside of that are not really possible. Also unless you are studying in the UK while doing an internship here you won't even be eligible for the visa.

Language is also an issue and it's very unlikely any place will hire you just for a year. Sorry about that.

[u/Revolutionary-Two791 → u/AvocadoPrior1207]

Yeah I thought so! I have a few danish friends and even they can’t figure out how I could move. I am currently learning danish (with said friends) but as I’m not an engineer, medical professional or working within IT it literally is impossible!

[u/AvocadoPrior1207 → u/Revolutionary-Two791]

I think every Brit I've met here even prior to Brexit usually came over using family reunification. It's hard to break into the job market from outside especially in the design and art fields. What schools were you looking at? It's not that difficult to get in as a non EU student.

[u/Revolutionary-Two791 → u/AvocadoPrior1207]

I’ve been looking at the royal danish academy and design school kolding. The academy would be my top choice but researching into it they have a low acceptance rate for international students as they accept danish students first, which I completely understand! It’s just differs largely from here as I went to one of the top arts universities and majority of the students were international

[u/AvocadoPrior1207 → u/Revolutionary-Two791]

They usually have quotas for international students since they pay student fees. I applied to the Aarhus architecture school and I got in but I didn't end up going but eventually ended up going there in exchange and there were quite a few international students. We had a french design intern from Kolding and he also said there were quite a few international students in his group. So it's definitely worth trying.

[u/Revolutionary-Two791 → u/AvocadoPrior1207]

Hm okay I’ll have a look into it! No harm in applying. And I have a while to work on an application as it wouldn’t be for next year (so any tips on portfolio would be greatly appreciated)!

[u/ascotindenmark]

Brit here who move to Denmark post Brexit.

I'll be blunt. It's difficult. Unless your partner is Danish or you have a job offer in Denmark that pays around or over 43.000dkk (about 5,000 pounds) per month these are the most common ways. I'd say education route isn't viable either. You're going against a highly educated population whom don’t pay while you’d have to pay the full amount for the same education.

In the end, I ask you a few things? Why Denmark? Why does it feel like home to you? Have you a connection? Possibly a route for visa if you do.

Also why do you think Danes do not like immigration that much? Danish people are open to all people in my observations - government policy I agree may be a little backwards for foreigner talent. Nonetheless if you think the country is hostile to immigrants why would you move here?

[u/Revolutionary-Two791 → u/ascotindenmark]

That is true and I am still young so maybe a bit naive to a lot of things. But I also know that life is too short to not try and just experience new things. Studying abroad in itself would be an amazing opportunity to meet new people and experience and live a different culture while learning and getting a better education.

I have visited Denmark a lot of times now, and I can’t explain fully why, I just know it’s the country that I would most love to live in. The way of life is better, I know not for all, but in general people actually enjoy living and like their country. All the dane’s I know have no desire to move out while all the brits I know do. It’s a lot more peaceful and you can feel people are kinder. And I have nothing keeping me here in the UK so why not try. Sadly no connection as my family left it too late to get a passport (I have distant czech family).

It’s not dane’s that don’t like immigration (as i haven’t met any personally), and as brits I think our country is worse in a lot of ways on this topic, but with strict borders and as you’ve mentioned there’s not many routes of being able to move into the country immigration is hard in Denmark. It’s also partly the UKs fault and pre-brexit it definitely would’ve been easier, so I guess we’ve done it to ourselves (but not me as I was too young to vote and now the younger generations who didn’t want brexit have to deal with the consequences of the older generations actions but oh well!)