Danish language levels follow the European CEFR scale: A1 and A2 are beginner levels, B1 and B2 are independent levels, and C1 is advanced. At the language school, Danskuddannelse 3 goes from A1 in module 1 to B2 in module 5, which ends with Prøve i Dansk 3, and C1 in module 6, which ends with Studieprøven. The table below puts the levels, modules and tests side by side.
In short
- A1, A2: basic user. You can talk about yourself and handle short everyday exchanges.
- B1, B2: independent user. You can work, argue and follow most conversations in Danish.
- C1: proficient user. You can study at a Danish university or college.
- The tests: Prøve i Dansk 1, 2 and 3 and Studieprøven are the final tests of the three Danish courses. Module tests come in between.
What are the Danish language levels?
The levels are not Danish. They come from the Common European Framework of Reference, CEFR, which the Council of Europe wrote so that a level means the same in every language. A2 in Danish is the same kind of skill as A2 in Spanish. The Danish courses and tests are built on that scale, and every module has a level.
The scale has six steps, from A1 to C2. The Danish system for adults stops at C1, because that is the level you need to study in Danish.
Danish levels, modules and tests in one table
Most of Lui’s students take Danskuddannelse 3, often just called DU3, which is for people with a medium-length or long education. These are its levels:
| Level | DU3 module | How it ends |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Module 1 | Module test 3.1 (oral only) |
| A2 | Module 2 | Module test 3.2 |
| A2+ | Module 3 | Module test 3.3 |
| B1 | Module 4 | Module test 3.4 |
| B2 | Module 5 | Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) |
| C1 | Module 6 | Studieprøven |
Module 3 was called A2/B1 until 2026 and is now A2+. You can read what each test looks like on the module tests page.
The other two courses go slower and stop earlier. Danskuddannelse 2 ends with Prøve i Dansk 2, at B1 for writing and B1+ for speaking. Danskuddannelse 1 ends with Prøve i Dansk 1, at around A1 for writing and A2+ for speaking. When the levels are written with a slash, like A1/A2+, the first is writing and the second is speaking.
What can you say at each level?
A level is easier to understand with a sentence. Here is one typical sentence per level, from the lessons in the free course. Tap to hear it.
A1: you can talk about yourself
Your name, where you are from, where you live, your work, your family. Simple questions and answers, said slowly.
- Jeg hedder Konstantin, og jeg kommer fra Grækenland.My name is Konstantin, and I come from Greece.
A2: short social exchanges
You can talk about what you did, say what you think, and give a reason. The word fordi, because, arrives here.
- Jeg kan godt lide mit arbejde, fordi mine kollegaer er søde.I like my job, because my colleagues are nice.
A2+: more sentences, more situations
You can give advice, compare, and talk about the past with more detail.
- Hvis jeg var dig, ville jeg ringe til kommunen.If I were you, I would call the municipality.
B1: work and everyday life
You can deal with work, the unemployment fund, the doctor and the school, and explain what happened and why.
- Jeg er blevet opsagt, fordi firmaet har købt robotter.I have been dismissed, because the company has bought robots.
B2: you can argue
You can give a presentation, defend an opinion and see both sides of a question.
- Selvom det er dyrt, mener jeg, at det er en god idé.Even though it is expensive, I think it is a good idea.
C1: you can study in Danish
You can read long texts, describe a graph and write an argument of several hundred words.
- Grafen viser, at flere og flere arbejder hjemme.The graph shows that more and more people work from home.
A quick self-test: which Danish level are you?
This is not an official test, just a way to find your starting point. Read the questions from the top, and stop at the first one where the answer is no.
Can you say your name, where you are from and where you live, in Danish, without notes?
If yes, you have the core of A1. If no, start with everyday phrases and module 1.
Can you tell a friend what you did last weekend, and why you liked it or not?
If yes, you are around A2. You use the past tense and fordi.
Can you call your child’s school or your landlord and explain a problem?
If yes, you are on your way to B1.
Can you speak for two minutes about a topic and answer questions about your opinion?
If yes, you are working at B2, the level of Prøve i Dansk 3.
Can you read a newspaper article and write a structured text about it?
If yes, you are near C1, the level of Studieprøven.
Which level do you need for residence, citizenship or a spouse visa?
This is often the reason people ask about levels. The short version, which the residence and citizenship page explains in detail:
- Permanent residence requires Prøve i Dansk 2 (B1, oral B1+), and Prøve i Dansk 3 is one of the extra requirements.
- Citizenship requires Prøve i Dansk 3 (B2) and the citizenship test.
- Family reunification with a spouse comes with the A1 and A2 tests. A passed Prøve i Dansk 3 or Studieprøven can replace them; a module test cannot. See the A1 and A2 tests.
Rules change. Always check the current requirements on nyidanmark.dk before you plan around them.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to reach B2 in Danish?
There is no fixed number of hours, because it depends on your languages and how much you practise. The official frame is that Danskuddannelse 3 equals 1.2 years of full-time study and is planned so you can finish it in 3 years next to work.
Is A2 Danish enough to live in Denmark?
For daily life, A2 gets you through the shop, the doctor and small talk. For permanent residence and most jobs, you need more, usually B1 or B2.
Is Danish a hard language to learn?
The grammar is simple; the pronunciation is the hard part. Read Is Danish hard to learn? for the honest version.
What does modultest 3.4 mean?
The first number is the course (Danskuddannelse 3) and the second is the module (module 4). So modultest 3.4 is the B1 test at the end of module 4 on DU3.
Updated 22 October 2026