Scholarships for Studying in Denmark 2026

For EU/EEA students, Danish tuition is free, so scholarships mostly cover living costs. For non-EU students facing DKK 45,000–120,000/year in fees, the right scholarship is the difference between affordable and impossible. The flagship route — the Danish Government Scholarship — can cover full tuition plus a living grant of around DKK 8,000/month. Below are the scholarships that actually pay out, who qualifies, and how to apply for 2026.

Who Needs a Scholarship in Denmark?

Be honest about your situation before you spend weeks on applications:

• EU/EEA and Swiss students: Tuition is free. You may still want a living-cost grant or an Erasmus mobility top-up, but you don't need a tuition scholarship.
• Non-EU students: You pay full tuition. A scholarship that waives or reduces it is the single biggest lever on your total cost. This guide is mostly for you.

For the full fee picture, see our cost of studying in Denmark breakdown.

Danish Government Scholarships

This is the headline programme. The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science funds a limited number of scholarships each year, which universities allocate to highly qualified non-EU/EEA students on full-degree master's programmes.

• Coverage: Full or partial tuition waiver, sometimes combined with a living grant of around DKK 7,000–8,000/month
• Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students admitted to a fee-paying programme, with strong academic results
• How to apply: There is no separate central application — you're automatically considered (or invited to opt in) when you apply for admission. Each university runs its own selection.
• Competition: Very high. The number of awards per programme is small, so a top academic record and a sharp motivation letter matter.

Because each university handles its own allocation, check the scholarship page of the specific institution — Copenhagen, Aarhus, DTU, CBS, SDU, and Aalborg all describe their process slightly differently.

University-Specific Scholarships

Beyond the government scheme, individual universities offer their own tuition reductions and merit awards:

• University of Copenhagen: A set of full and partial tuition scholarships for non-EU master's students, allocated on academic merit at admission.
• Aarhus University: Tuition waivers and a small number of combined tuition-plus-stipend scholarships, especially in science and engineering.
• Technical University of Denmark (DTU): The DTU Scholarship covers tuition for top international applicants in engineering and science; a few add a living stipend.
• Copenhagen Business School (CBS): Limited tuition waivers for outstanding non-EU applicants to its full-degree master's.
• University of Southern Denmark (SDU): SDU Scholarships reduce or waive tuition for strong non-EU students.
• Aalborg University (AAU): Merit-based tuition reductions for international full-degree students.

The pattern is consistent: apply for admission first, submit any required scholarship statement, and the university considers you on merit. There's rarely a separate deadline beyond the admission deadline itself.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's

If your programme is part of an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's (EMJM), you can win one of the most generous packages in Europe — typically worth €25,000+ over two years, covering tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance. Several Danish universities partner in EMJM consortia. You apply directly to the consortium, not to a single university, usually with a deadline in winter (December–February) for the following autumn.

Nordplus and Nordic Programmes

Nordplus funds mobility within the Nordic and Baltic countries. If you're studying in Denmark and want a funded semester in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, or the Baltics — or vice versa — Nordplus grants cover travel and part of your living costs. It's smaller than Erasmus but valuable for students who want a Nordic experience beyond Denmark.

Erasmus+ for Incoming and Exchange Students

If you come to Denmark on an Erasmus+ exchange from another European university, you pay no Danish tuition and receive a monthly mobility grant (the amount depends on your home country and the cost-of-living band). This is the easiest funding to access — it's arranged through your home institution's international office, not Denmark's. For the residence side, EU students simply register; non-EU exchange students follow the steps in our Denmark residence permit guide.

External and Country-Specific Scholarships

Don't overlook funding from your own country or from international bodies:

• Home-country government scholarships: Many governments (in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East) fund their citizens to study abroad. Check your national education ministry.
• Fulbright (US students): The Fulbright commission funds Americans for study and research in Denmark.
• DAAD and similar: If you previously studied in Germany or hold dual ties, some bilateral schemes apply.
• Foundation and corporate grants: Danish foundations (fonde) fund specific fields — search the field-specific databases your faculty recommends.

How to Build a Strong Application

Scholarships in Denmark are merit-led. A few things consistently separate winners from the rest:

• Apply early and complete admission first. Most scholarships ride on your admission application — a late or incomplete admission file kills your scholarship chance too.
• Write a specific motivation letter. Name the programme, the research group, and what you'll do with the degree. Generic letters lose.
• Show academic evidence. Transcripts, a strong GPA, relevant projects or publications, and references from people who can speak to your work.
• Match the language requirement. Have your IELTS/TOEFL ready — a missing language score is the most common reason files get set aside.
• Tailor each application. If you apply to three universities, write three letters. Reviewers can tell when a letter was copy-pasted.

For the broader admission timeline these scholarships depend on, see our how to apply to Danish universities guide.

Scholarship Timeline: When to Do What

Because almost every Danish scholarship rides on your admission application, the calendar is tight. Work backwards from a September start:

• 12 months before (September–October): Shortlist programmes and note which universities advertise scholarships. Start your English test prep.
• 10 months before (November): Sit IELTS or TOEFL so the score is ready. Begin drafting your motivation letter.
• 9 months before (December–January): Submit admission applications (non-EU deadlines fall here) with any scholarship statement attached. This is the critical window — most awards are decided from these files.
• For Erasmus Mundus: Apply directly to the consortium, with deadlines often in December–February.
• Spring: Admission and scholarship decisions arrive together for most universities.
• On acceptance: If awarded a tuition waiver, confirm it in writing before you pay any fees, then start your residence permit.

Miss the admission deadline and you usually miss the scholarship too — they're rarely separate. The full admission process is in our how to apply to Danish universities guide.

Common Scholarship Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating scholarships as separate from admission: For most Danish awards there's no standalone form — a weak or late admission file sinks your scholarship chance with it.
• Generic motivation letters: Reviewers read hundreds. Naming the specific programme, research group, and your post-degree plan is what gets remembered.
• Missing the language score: A pending IELTS/TOEFL result is the most common reason files are set aside. Have it done before you apply.
• Ignoring smaller awards: A partial tuition waiver plus part-time work and home-country funding often adds up to more than chasing one elusive full ride.
• Overlooking your home country: Many national governments and foundations fund study abroad — sometimes more generously than Danish schemes. Check before assuming Denmark is your only source.

Funding Beyond Scholarships

Scholarships rarely cover everything. Most international students combine several income sources:

• Part-time work: Non-EU students may work 20 hours/week during term at DKK 120–150/hour — roughly DKK 10,000–13,000/month gross. EU students have no hour cap. See our working while studying in Denmark guide.
• SU (for eligible students): EU students who work alongside their studies can, under certain conditions, qualify for the Danish state education grant (SU). The eligibility rules are strict and tied to your work status — check with the SU office.
• Savings and family support: Often the bridge that scholarships and work don't fully cover.

Add up the realistic total with our cost-of-study calculator before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do EU students need a scholarship for Denmark?

Not for tuition — it's free at public universities for EU/EEA and Swiss students. You may still want a living-cost grant or an Erasmus mobility top-up, but the big cost driver (fees) doesn't apply to you.

How competitive is the Danish Government Scholarship?

Very. Each programme has only a handful of awards, allocated to the strongest non-EU applicants. A top academic record, a sharp motivation letter, and an early, complete application are essential.

Is there a separate scholarship application form?

Usually not. For most Danish university and government scholarships, you're considered automatically (or asked to tick a box) when you apply for admission. Erasmus Mundus is the main exception — you apply directly to the consortium.

What's the most generous funding for non-EU students?

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's packages, worth €25,000+ over two years including tuition, travel, and living allowance. Among Danish-run options, a full Danish Government Scholarship with a living grant is the most valuable.

Can I get a scholarship for a bachelor's degree in Denmark?

Most Danish scholarships target master's level. Bachelor's-level funding for non-EU students is rarer — your strongest options are home-country government scholarships or university merit awards. Check each university's bachelor's scholarship page directly.

When should I apply for scholarships?

Align with the admission deadline — typically January for autumn (September) start for non-EU students, since most scholarships ride on the admission file. Erasmus Mundus deadlines fall earlier, often December to February.

Can I combine a scholarship with part-time work?

Yes. A partial tuition waiver plus 20 hours/week of work is the most common real-world funding mix for non-EU students. Just respect the work-hour limit on your residence permit.

Does Denmark offer scholarships covering living costs only?

Yes — some Danish Government Scholarships and Erasmus grants include a monthly living allowance (around DKK 7,000–8,000), which is especially useful for EU students who already have free tuition.

For the complete funding and cost picture, see Study in Denmark and our Denmark scholarships overview.

Related guides

• Cost of Studying in Denmark: Complete Breakdown 2026
• How to Apply to Danish Universities 2026
• Working While Studying in Denmark 2026
• Denmark Student Residence Permit Guide 2026
• Best Student Cities in Denmark 2026