Tuition fees and Scholarships
Whether you are required to pay tuition fees will depend on your country of origin and whether you are participating in an exchange programme.
Tuition Fees
Higher education in Denmark is usually provided free of charge for all EU/EEA students and for students who are participating in an exchange programme. All other students have to pay a tuition fee. Annual tuition fees for full-time degree students range from 6,000 to 16,000 Euro.
Scholarships
Scholarships and tuition fee waivers are available for highly talented students who have been admitted to a range of programmes. Through the Erasmus Mundus scheme, it is possible to apply for a scholarship to undertake specific Master's degree programmes offered jointly by a Danish institution and other European institutions. For further information, please refer to Erasmus Mundus link below.
For more information: http://en.iu.dk/grants-and-scholarships/erasmus-mundus
Exchange / Visiting Students
If you are studying through an exchange agreement or as a visiting student, the possibility of obtaining financial assistance will depend on your home institution and the chosen exchange agreement.
- If you are studying in a European country participating in the Erasmus programme, you can apply for exchange and mobility grants at your home institution.
- If you are studying in a Nordic country and certain European countries outside the EU you can apply for grants through Nordplus and Tempus.
- If you are studying in a country outside the EU, we would advise you to seek information about grants and scholarships at your home institution.
- If your home country has a bilateral agreement with Denmark, it is also possible for non-Danish students and researchers to apply for a number of Danish Government scholarships.
A range of other grants and scholarships are available. American students may be eligible to apply for a Fulbright scholarship, and several scholarship programmes for students from in- and outside the EU are listed at the EU-database Ploteus.
Denmark also offers scholarships to nationals from 27 countries inside and outside the EU via the International Education Council.
PhD students and researchers are advised to look at the Researchers Mobility Portal for information about available programmes in English.
International Programmes
International students in Denmark can choose between a range of different programmes:
- Degree programmes
- Exchange/visiting student programmes
- Individually designed programmes
- Summer schools
Academies of Professional Higher Education
In Danish called “Erhvervsakademier”. The programmes offered here combine theory with practice. They are available in a range of disciplines, including business, technology, IT, multimedia, food industry, tourism etc. The academies are located in both large and small cities and have strong links with local businesses and industry. These are 2-year Academy Profession (AP) Programmes.
University Colleges
In Danish known as “Professionshøjskoler”. The university colleges combine theoretical study with practical application in a range of subject areas. Work placements are always included in the programmes, which prepare you to enter specific professions. Courses are offered in areas such as business, education, engineering, IT, nursing, social work, etc. Some university colleges are located in large cities and others in more tranquil surroundings in small towns. Most of the institutions have a regional engagement and strong links with local businesses and industry. These are 3-4½-year Professional Bachelor programmes.
Universities
The Danish universities are based on the continental European tradition of integrating education and research and offer programmes from undergraduate to PhD level. Study options range from the more traditional academic subject areas to innovative interdisciplinary programmes. Most universities are multi-faculty institutions covering a wide range of disciplines with a few specialising in science and technology, IT, business, architecture, fine arts and music. The universities are located in the larger cities and many of them have close partnerships with business, industry and other research institutions. These are either 3-year Bachelor’s programmes (BSc/ BA), 2-year Master’s programmes (MSc/ MA), or 3-year PhD programmes.
All institutions of higher education in Denmark use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which facilitates international credit transfer.
For more information on ECTS: http://en.iu.dk/transparency (available in English)
For more general information: http://studies.ku.dk/studies/ (available in English)
Admission
International students wishing to study a full Danish degree programme should be aware that admission requirements vary from programme to programme.
Undergraduate Programmes
You are eligible to apply for admission to an undergraduate programme if you hold a qualification comparable to a Danish qualifying examination. All programmes require a high proficiency in English. For admission to programmes in Danish, you are also required to prove that you have a sufficiently high level of Danish by taking the Test of Danish as a Foreign Language ( Studieprøven i dansk som andetsprog ) or The Danish Test 2 ( Danskprøve 2 ).
For more information: http://en.iu.dk/entry (available in English)
Masters Programmes
Admission requirements for Master's programmes are an internationally recognised good Bachelor's degree of good standard or equivalent, proof of proficiency in English and proof of proficiency in Danish if the programme is taught in Danish.
PhD Programmes
The general admissions requirements for PhD studies include a Master's degree or equivalent. In some areas, a four-year PhD programme is offered to students who have completed a Bachelor’s qualification and one year of study at postgraduate level.
Each institution is responsible for their own admission and further information about entrance qualifications, additional tests and potential credit transfer can be obtained at the institutions' admissions offices.
Accommodation
You are strongly advised to look for an accommodation as soon as you have been admitted. The institutions will be able to assist you in finding a place to live - some may even guarantee to find somewhere for you. There are several accommodation options:
- Room in a hall of residence (Kollegium), price: 240-400 Euros per month.
- Privately rented room in a house or a flat, price: 200-500 Euros per month.
- Privately rented flat - either alone or shared with other students, prices vary considerably.
Alternatively, you could swap flat or room with students from Denmark who are going to study in your home city. For further information about this opportunity, please visit the web site for international students’ home exchange at: www.casaswap.com.
Useful Links
Part-time Student Jobs
As a foreign student following a higher educational programme or a required preparatory course, you are allowed to work 15 hours a week, as well as full-time during the months of June, July and August. The same applies during the job-seeking period after the completion of your educational programme. A work permit sticker will be placed in your passport.
Check out available jobs via the links on our Jobs site, or the following student databases:
Grading Scale and Conversion
Your work is assessed according to the 7-point scale or by Pass/Fail. 2 is the required grade to pass. If your home institution requires that all your work be given a grade this may in some cases be arranged with the lecturer. After completing your period of study at a Danish university, you will receive a transcript of your academic record. Below is a table converting the Danish grades to the ECTS grading system.
12: A: Excellent
10: B: Very Good
7: C: Good
4: D: Below Average
02: E: Satisfactory
00: F: Unsatisfactory (Failed)
-3: G: Inferior (Failed)
For an European comparison of grades see:
http://www.studyineurope.eu/grades/compare
Student sites, organisations and networks
Creating a network is important when settling in a new country - also as a student!
General sites about studying in Denmark
Erasmus Student Network (ESN)
International Student Organizations
Student houses ("Studenterhuse")
University based networks