Step 3: Selection quotas

If you fulfil the admission requirements, your application will go on to the selection process in either quota 1 or 2.

You cannot indicate the quota in your application for admission. The Admissions Office will decide on the relevant quota based on your type of entry qualification and uploaded documents. You must submit a motivational letter in addition to the other required documents to be assessed in quota 2. You can find a complete list of the required documents in step 4.

Quota 1 – selection based on GPA only

In quota 1, the selection criteria is based exclusively on your grade point average (GPA) obtained at your upper secondary education. You should apply via quota 1, if you only want to be assessed based on your GPA.

In order to be assessed in quota 1:

  1. You must fulfil the admission requirements
  2. You must be certain that you fulfil the required GPA
  3. The GPA from your entry qualification must be directly convertible to the Danish grading system

Is my GPA convertible to the Danish grading system?

Entry qualifications from an EU/EEA country
If you hold a general upper secondary examination from an EU/EEA country, your GPA is usually convertible. However, if you hold a vocational/technical upper secondary education, your GPA is usually not convertible.

If you are not certain whether your GPA can be converted, we advise you to apply in quota 2. Quota 2 applicants with a convertible GPA are automatically assessed in quota 1 first.

If your GPA is convertible, the Admissions Office will convert it to the Danish grading system when going through your application.

Entry qualifications from a non-EU/EEA country
If you hold an entry qualification from a non-EU/EEA country, you cannot apply in quota 1, as the grades cannot be converted to the Danish grading scale.

GPA required in quota 1

Roskilde University has set a GPA for admission in quota 1. If you fulfil the admission requirements and meet the required GPA for quota 1 applicants, you are guaranteed admission.

In 2020 the required GPA according to the Danish 7-point grading scale are:

  • International Bachelor in Humanities: 8.0
  • International Bachelor in Social Sciences: 8.0
  • International Bachelor in Natural Sciences: if you fulfil the admission requirements, you are guaranteed admission regardless of your GPA

Quota 2 – selection based on an overall assessment

If you are not certain that your GPA is sufficient to apply in quota 1 or your GPA cannot be converted to the Danish grading system, you should apply in quota 2.

In quota 2, we do not consider your GPA. Instead, applicants are selected based on an overall assessment of relevant qualifications. The relevant qualifications are referred to in the assessment criteria.

In order to be assessed in quota 2:

  1. You must fulfil the admission requirements. In special circumstances, however, you may be granted an exemption from the admission requirements, if you have other educational qualifications comparable to the admission requirements.
  2. You must have at least one study relevant qualification (academic and/or general qualifications) acquired after completion of your entry qualification
  3. You must submit a motivational letter.

How to write a motivational letter

The motivational letter for the international bachelor study programmes should be written in English. If you apply for the bachelor’s programmes taught in Danish, the motivational application should be written in Danish.

Guide: How to write a motivational letter

Assessment criteria

The quota 2 assessment is based on an overall assessment of your motivational letter and relevant qualifications acquired after completion of your entry qualification.

In your motivational letter, you must describe the relevance of the qualifications acquired in regards to the programme you wish to enrol in. Different assessment criteria apply to the individual bachelor’s programmes.

Applicants are prioritized based on this assessment, and the quota 2 student places are granted to the applicants given the highest priority. There are often more applicants than places, which means that not all applicants that fulfil the admission requirements may be offered admission.

Assessment criteria for the individual bachelor's programme:


12-month rule and documentation requirements

The quota 2 assessment is only based on qualifications acquired after completion of your entry qualification that are achieved within a maximum period of 12 months. You should not select these months yourself, as this will be done when assessing your application.

In the online application form, you must state all the qualifications that you mention in your motivated application. You must also upload a CV.

You only have to document educational activities, e.g. supplementary courses or higher education. If you have completed educational activities by the application deadline, you must document that you have passed the course(s). If you complete educational activities after the application deadline, which are relevant to your motivational letter, this must be stated in your application and any relevant documentation must be uploaded as soon as the activity has been completed.

Please do not attach documentation of your travels, work etc. However, you should be able to document it, if requested to do so.