Free higher education for international students

Higher education in Denmark is free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland and for students participating in an exchange programme. For other students annual tuition range from 6, 000 to 16, 000 Euro. A number of scholarships and grants are available from the institutions and from public funded schemes

Tuition fees

Higher education in Denmark is free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Similarly, if you are participating in an exchange programme your studies in Denmark are free. You also do not pay for tuition if you at the time of application have a:

All other students must pay tuition fees.

Annual tuition fees for full-degree students
USD 8, 000-21, 000 / Euro 6, 000-16, 000 (DKK 45, 000-120, 000).
Note: for exact fees you should contact the institution in question.

Application fee

Students from outside EU/EEA/Switzerland will be charged a fee when applying for a residence permit (visa) to study in Denmark.

Scholarships and grants

Most Danish institutions have bilateral agreements with foreign institutions of higher education. These agreements are usually designed for mutual exchange of students, researchers and teachers. National and European programmes offer scholarships for international students wishing to study in Denmark through an institutional agreement, as guest students or as a part of an international double or joint degree. Certain restrictions and prerequisites apply for the following programmes:

Danish Innovation Scholarship

The Innovation Fund Denmark are providing 3.4 million euros in scholarships throughout the years 2015 and 2016. The grant is reserved for dedicated, top-tier students with an academic profile within the areas of natural, environmental and health sciences, engineering, technology and innovation.
Read more about the Danish Innovation Scholarship

Nordplus

If you are enrolled at a Nordic or Baltic higher education institution, Nordplus may offer a possibility to study in another Nordic or Baltic country as part of your degree. For further information, contact your home university or the national educational agency. To learn more about the Nordplus programme, please visit www.nordplusonline.org.

Erasmus

The Erasmus programme offers students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland the possibility to study abroad as part of their higher education in their home countries. Exchanges last between 3 and 12 months. For further information, please contact your home university or the national educational agency of your country. To learn more about the Erasmus-programme and find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the website of the European Commission.

Erasmus Mundus/Joint Master Degree

The Erasmus Mundus programme is open to both EU/EEA and non-EU/EAA students. Through the Erasmus Mundus scheme you can apply for a scholarship to undertake specific Master's degree programmes. The courses are offered jointly by a Danish institution and another European university or college. Students and scholars must contact the individual Erasmus Mundus Master courses to learn more about scholarships and application procedures.

Fulbright Commission

American students in higher education wishing to study in Denmark may be able to apply for a Fulbright scholarship. Further information is available at the Denmark-American Foundation and the Fulbright Commission website.

Top Talent

Student from Brazil or China? Top Talent Denmark provides the opportunity to learn about the possibilities to pursue an education in a Danish university and a career at a Danish company either in Denmark, China or Brazil. By registering your profile at Top Talent Denmark's Chinese website or following the Brazilian Facebook page, you will receive news about career, study and scholarship opportunities, as well updates about events in China and Brazil.

The Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements

The Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements are aimed at highly qualified exchange students and young researchers who wish to immerse themselves in studies of the Danish language and culture or other fields of study related to Denmark, such as design, architecture, environmental studies, and other related fields.

These Danish Government Scholarships are offered to students from a number of European countries and students from Russia, China, Japan, Israel and Egypt. The Cultural Agreements offer scholarships for long-term study periods and summer languages courses to foreign students. Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements for the study year 2012-13 can be applied for between November 2011 and 28 February 2012. Read more about the Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements

Danish government scholarships for highly qualified non-EU/EEA students

Danish higher education institutions receive a limited number of government scholarships each year to fund highly qualified full-degree students from non-EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.

In order to be eligible for a scholarship you must be:

• A citizen of a country outside the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland
• Enrolled in a full degree higher education programme
• Granted a time-limited residence permit in Denmark due to education

You are not eligible for a Danish government scholarship if you are:

• Have a legal claim to the rights of Danish citizens
• Have been granted a residence permit at the time of admission by the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act §9c, subsection 1, as the child of a foreign citizen who has been granted a residence permit in accordance with the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act §9m, and who is a citizen of a country that is not acceded to the EU or covered by the EEA agreement
• A student who is eligible for a grant in accordance with Danish Law regarding the State Education Fund

The scholarships are administered by the Danish institutions of higher education, each of which decides which students will receive a scholarship. For further information about the government scholarship, please consult the admission details of the higher education institution of your choice.

Please note: The government scholarship consists of two parts and can be given as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants towards covering your living costs. However, since the scholarships are administered by the individual higher education institution you should enquire at the institution of your choice for further details.

The Danish State Educational Support (SU)

The Danish State Educational Support (SU) is generally only awarded to Danish residents. As an international student you may, however, apply for equal status in so far as the state educational support is concerned. You may be granted equal status according to:

Other sources of information on scholarships

Several scholarship programmes for both EU and non-EU students are listed at the EU-database Ploteus. PhD students and researchers should visit the European Researchers' Mobility Portal.