Preparatory Basic Education (FGU)

Preparatory Basic Education (FGU), in Danish Forberedende grunduddannelse, is aimed at young people under the age of 25 who have not completed and are not currently enrolled in an upper secondary education or employment.

The purpose of FGU

If you do not feel ready to start or complete an upper secondary education or start working, FGU might be the right place for you. 

The purpose of FGU is to prepare you to subsequently continue into vocational education, general upper secondary education or a job.

Educational tracks in FGU

You can take the programme at an FGU school in your municipality. 

The programme consists of an introductory course and 3 educational tracks. You choose one of the 3 tracks.

The 3 educational tracks are:

• General Basic Education (AGU)
• Production-based Basic Education (PGU)
• Vocational Basic Education (EGU).

You can start an FGU programme continuously throughout the year. In the educational tracks, you can receive instruction at different levels. This means that you start and finish at the level that suits you best.

FGU is a full-time education with on average of 26 hours of classes a week. 

There is no requirement to complete FGU within a specific timeframe. However, as a general rule, you cannot attend FGU for more than 2 years. 

Is FGU something for you?

If you are unsure whether FGU is the right place for you, you can attend an exploratory course (afsøgningsforløb) of up to 2 weeks. Here, you learn more about the different subject areas and have your competencies assessed (for instance previous schooling, work, and courses).

General Basic Education (AGU) is one of the 3 educational tracks in FGU. 

The track is for those who wish to access vocational education or general upper secondary education, such as the 2-year HF. 

AGU consists of practice-oriented teaching in subjects such as Danish, Mathematics, English, and Science. The teaching is closely linked to practice, meaning you work on how to use theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems. Additionally, you work on various projects and themes within your team.

Production-based Basic Education (PGU) is one of the 3 educational tracks in FGU. 

The track is for those who enjoy practical work, but also want to improve skills in Danish and Mathematics. Teaching takes place in one of the school's workshops, where you might work in a kitchen, a woodshop, or a media workshop, where you make videos.

PGU is built around a professional theme with workshop teaching to prepare you for vocational education or unskilled employment. The themes are specifically developed for FGU and include workshops such as 'Construction and Housing', 'Industry', 'Food and Nutrition', and several others. 

The PGU programme consists of two thirds of production time and one third of theory time. This means that besides choosing a professional theme, you will also attend classes in Danish, Mathematics, and PASE (Personal Finance, Workplace Learning, Collaboration, and Career Studies).

Vocational Basic Education (EGU) is one of the 3 educational tracks in FGU. 

The track is for those who want an internship in a company to gain experience and skills that prepare you for vocational education or employment.

In EGU, you spend most of your time as an intern at a company, learning to be part of the daily routine at a regular workplace. For example, you could be an intern as a mechanic, painter, or service assistant. 

The Municipal Youth Effort (KUI) arranges the internship with you and the company. Alongside the internship, you participate in school sessions with instruction in a professional theme and subjects relevant to your internship. The EGU track consists of two thirds of internship time and one third of theory time.

You are in the target group for FGU if you are:

• under 25
• have not completed or are enrolled in an upper secondary education
• are not in employment.

You can start FGU directly after 9th or 10th grade if your education plan contains educational activities other than high school or vocational programmes. This must be done in agreement with your municipal advisor in The Municipal Youth Unit (KUI, Den Kommunale Ungeindsats) and in collaboration with your parents.

You may also be able to start in FGU if you have started an upper secondary education but did not complete it. In this case, talk to your municipal advisor.

FGU is generally for people under 25, but in special cases, you can start after turning 25 if your municipal advisor assesses that FGU is the right offer for you and you agree to it.

There are no formal entry requirements for FGU. However, to be admitted, you and your municipal advisor must jointly assess that FGU is the right educational offer for you. This is called a target group assessment. The assessment is usually made by the Municipal Youth Unit (Den Kommunale Unge-indsats, KUI)).

If you are in the target group, you and your advisor will create an education plan (uddannelsesplan) describing how you will reach your goals regarding education or jobs. This plan also acts as an agreement between you and your mu-nicipality. At the FGU school, a pathway plan is created, detailing your specific track, work training, internships, and electives.

You receive a school allowance (skoleydelse) while attending FGU.

The rates are as follows:

• DKK 450 (2026) per week if you are under 18.
• DKK 780 (2026) per week if you are 18+ and living at home.
• DKK 1808 (2026) per week if you are 18+ and living independently.

If you have children, you may also receive a supplement.

At FGU, you may qualify for vocational education, general upper secondary education (for instance the 2-year HF), or enter an unskilled job directly. 

Your options depend on your educational track, subjects, and the levels achieved in them.

If your municipality has assessed that you are not in the target group for FGU, you can request a new assessment after 6 months.

• Law on Preparatory Basic Education (FGU)

Website describing educational programmes in Denmark:

• FGU on Uddannelsesguiden (in Danish)