Costs & Funding in Denmark - Study in Denmark

Costs & Funding for Studying in Denmark

Denmark is a tale of two budgets. Tuition is free if you hold an EU passport and moderate if you do not — but living costs are among the highest in Europe. This guide breaks down tuition, living costs by city, scholarships, the SU grant, and the proof of funds you need for your residence permit.

Tuition Fees

EU/EEA and Swiss students

Same deal as Danish students. Your main cost is living expenses.

Non-EU/EEA students

That works out to roughly EUR 6,000-16,000 per year. Exact figures vary by university and program — confirm on the program page. Many universities allow per-semester payment rather than a full year upfront.

Run a personalised estimate with our cost-of-study calculator.

Monthly Living Costs

Denmark is expensive, and rent drives the difference between cities.

Copenhagen (highest costs)

Aarhus / Odense / Aalborg (cheaper)

Total Cost of a Degree

Realistic totals, tuition plus 12 months of living:

Even at the top end, a non-EU master's in Denmark usually costs less than the equivalent in the UK, US, or Australia — and EU students pay only living costs.

Scholarships

Funding in Denmark is real but limited. Plan for it as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Danish government scholarships

Universities receive government funding to offer a number of scholarships to talented non-EU/EEA master's students. These often combine a full or partial tuition waiver with a living stipend. They are awarded competitively and usually tied to your admission — strong applicants are considered automatically or via a short extra step. Check each university's scholarship page.

Erasmus+ and exchange

If you are a current EU student, Erasmus+ funds a semester or year in Denmark with a monthly grant (typically EUR 300-500, varies by home country). Your home university administers it.

Home-country and private funding

• DAAD, Fulbright, Chevening and similar national programs sometimes fund study in Denmark
• Private foundations in your home country
• Nordic and EU mobility schemes for specific regions

Strategy: Because EU tuition is already free, scholarships matter most for non-EU students. Apply to two or three universities and check each one's scholarship deadlines, which often fall with or before the admission deadline.

The SU Grant — Who Actually Gets It

The SU (Statens Uddannelsesstøtte) is Denmark's monthly state education grant.

• Danish students — receive it automatically
• EU/EEA students — can qualify if you work a qualifying number of hours alongside your studies (broadly treated as a "worker" under EU rules). Many EU students in Denmark do exactly this.
• Non-EU students — generally do not qualify as fresh students

SU is generous when you get it, but do not build your budget around it as a non-EU student. Check the official SU rules for your exact situation. Our work and career guide explains how part-time work connects to SU eligibility for EU students.

Proof of Funds for the Residence Permit

Non-EU/EEA students applying for a residence permit through SIRI must prove they can support themselves.

Minimum required:

• About DKK 6,694 per month
• For a one-year permit, roughly DKK 80,328 in available funds

Accepted proof typically includes:

• A bank statement in your name showing the required amount
• An official scholarship confirmation letter
• Evidence of a prepaid amount (some applicants deposit the funds as instructed by SIRI)

This is separate from tuition. You need to cover both. Confirm the exact current figure and accepted documents on nyidanmark.dk before you apply — the amount is set annually.

Health Insurance and Healthcare

• EU/EEA students — use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) until you receive your CPR number, then you are covered by the Danish public system
• Non-EU students — get private travel/health insurance for arrival; once you have your CPR number and yellow health card, public healthcare (doctor visits, hospital care) is free

The yellow card is one of the best perks of studying in Denmark — there is no monthly health-insurance premium once you are registered.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before you arrive, confirm:

• Tuition payment schedule (non-EU) and first instalment amount
• Scholarship applications submitted where relevant
• Proof of funds secured (~DKK 80,328 for one year, non-EU)
• Housing reserved (dorm confirmation or first-month deposit — Copenhagen fills fast)
• Insurance for arrival (EU: EHIC; non-EU: private until CPR)
• A settling-in buffer (DKK 5,000-10,000) for deposits, a bike, and first-week costs

Next Steps

1. Visa and arrival — use your proof of funds to apply through SIRI
2. Living in Denmark — housing, the CPR number, and daily costs
3. Work and career — part-time work, SU eligibility, and post-study options
4. Admissions and application — if you have not applied yet