How Much Does It Cost to Study in Denmark?

With a strong history of academic excellence, Denmark attracts thousands of students each year from all around the world to study at its internationally recognized universities.

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland can study for free in Denmark. However, if you’re from outside these areas, you’ll have to pay tuition fees. The tuition fees are different at each institution and vary depending on what you choose to study.

Student cost of living in Denmark

Student visa requirements

If you need to obtain a student visa, you’ll need to prove that you are able to financially support yourself. This means having access to around €1,000 per month (approx. US$1,080).

Find out more about applying for student visas. 

Accommodation

Once you have been accepted into a Danish university, you will need to sort out accommodation. 

Most students in Denmark live in off-campus halls of residence. These usually cost around €240-460 per month (approx. US$280-496).

If you choose to live in private accommodation, a one-bedroom apartment in a Danish city center will cost around US$1,020 per month. This will be slightly higher if you’re studying in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, where a one-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost US$1,465 per month on average. 

Other average living costs in Denmark

• Books and course materials for courses in Denmark will cost €30-65 per month (approximately US$5-10)
• Your mobile phone bill in Denmark will cost around 150 DKK per month (approximately US$22)
• A gym membership in Denmark will cost you an average of US$36 per month.
• A monthly transport pass will cost US$59 per month on average, however, many students in Denmark use their bikes to travel to university.
• A meal out at a mid-range restaurant will cost US$44 per person. 

Danish Tuition Fees

For domestic students and students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland, higher education is free for both undergraduates and postgraduate courses.

If you are an international student from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you will be required to pay tuition fees at Danish universities.

These fees will depend on the university and the course you choose to study, so check the university’s website for the exact rates.

Here are the tuition fees at some of Denmark’s top universities:

• Aalborg University $15,000 per year for undergraduates and ranging from 48,450DKK per year to 100,800DKK (approximately US$7100- 14,780) for postgraduate courses.
• Aarhus University €8,000 to 15,300 (US$8,690 to 16,620) for non-EU/EEA undergraduates and for master’s programs.
• Technical University of Denmark €15,000 per year for both undergraduates and postgraduates.
• University of Copenhagen: €10,000-17,000 (US$10,860 to 18,470) for non-EU/EEA undergraduates and DKK 75,000 per year (around US$10,920 for two years) for master’s programs.
• University of Southern Denmark €6,200-13,900 (approximately US$6,778- 15,200) for undergraduates. Master’s students will pay €8,500 for two years (approximately US$9,291). 

Danish scholarships and student funding

Education is free for Danish students and those from the EU, but for international students, there are a range of scholarships and grants available to help with tuition fee costs.

Danish students are entitled to public support for their living costs whilst at university. This support is awarded by the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme (SU), which is managed by the Danish Agency for Institutions and Educational Grants. Find out more about these grants here. The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education is the main provider of grants in Denmark.

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

Danish government scholarships for international students are given to Danish universities to fund full-degree students from non-EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a full degree higher education program and granted a time-limited residence permit in Denmark due to education.

You can view the full list of scholarships on the Study in Denmark website.

Alternatively, universities may have their own list of scholarships, so check the university’s website before applying.