How you don't forget the patient as a person
Basic course, main course and alternation between school and practice
The receptionist education is a vocational education under the main area Food, agriculture and experiences. It is structured so that you learn the subject theoretically at school and get hands-on experience at a workplace. When you understand how the pieces fit together, it's easier to plan your own course – whether you come straight from primary school or have a few years behind you.
§The basic course comes first
The education begins at school with a basic course divided into two parts. Basic course 1 is for you starting directly after 9th or 10th grade and is about finding your place in a vocational area and getting to grips with broad fundamental subjects. Basic course 2 targets the receptionist trade itself and prepares you for the main course. If you did not come directly from primary school you typically start on basic course 2.
Each part of the basic course corresponds to about half a year. Here you work with communication, cultural understanding, tourism, IT and service — the professional foundation you build the rest of your education on.
§The main course alternates between school and practical work
After the basic course comes the main course, and this is where you get instruction in school and learn the trade in practice at a workplace. You alternately go to school in school periods and out to a training company in practical periods. It requires a training agreement — that is, a written agreement with a company that will train you.
| Part | Where | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | School | Broad introduction to vocational education and basic trade (typically directly after compulsory school) |
| Basic course 2 | School | Targeted receptionist trade — service, communication, tourism, IT |
| Main course | School + company | Alternation between school periods and practical training; concludes with a professional exam |
§How long does it take
Overall, the education lasts 3 to 3 years and 11 months, but the length depends on your background. If you have a higher education — for example a student examination — parts of the basic course can be shortened and you can finish faster. It's worth checking with the individual school how your specific course is structured.
§Admission and access requirements
To enter you must in principle have completed 9th or 10th grade and have at least grade 02 on average in both Danish and mathematics from the leaving exam. If you don't meet the grade requirement you can come to an entrance exam and interview at the school.
If you are over 25, you typically follow EUV — vocational education for adults. Here you get an assessment of your prior learning, so previous education and work experience can count and shorten your course.
§Make a plan that suits you
Because the course can be put together differently, it is a good idea to talk to an advisor at one of the schools that offers the education. That way you get clarity on which basic course you should start on, how long it takes for you, and when you should start looking for an apprenticeship position.