Denmark is one of the most popular international study destinations in Europe thanks to its low study costs, high-quality English-taught Master’s degrees and the innovative teaching methods. International students also choose Denmark due to its great standard of living and the large variety of study subjects available at Danish universities.
If you’re thinking about studying abroad in Denmark, finding out detailed information about tuition and living costs will help you make an informed decision for your future. Keep reading to find out estimates of tuition fees, accommodation costs and expenses for food, transportation and extra study materials.
1. University tuition fees in Denmark
Higher education in Denmark is free for all Bachelor’s and Master’s students coming from the EU/EEA area and Switzerland, as well as for students participating in an exchange programme.
You can also study for free in Denmark if:
- You already have either a permanent or a temporary residence permit
- One of your parents is from a non-EU/EEA country and works in Denmark
For non-EU/EEA citizens, tuition costs range between 6,000 – 16,000 EUR/academic year. Some specialized programmes might cost more, that’s why we recommend that you check the university page to see what tuition applies to you.
Check out more details about tuition fees in Danish universities.
Tuition-free universities for EU/EEA students
Here are a few examples of free universities in Denmark for EU/EEA students:
- Roskilde University
- University of Southern Denmark
- Aalborg University
Related:
List of University in Denmark
Tuition fees at top-ranked universities in Denmark
If you want to study at the best Danish universities, you will encounter the same policies we’ve already mentioned. EU/EEA & Switzerland citizens can enrol for free, while students from other countries pay between 6,000 – 16,000 EUR/year.
Here are some of the top-ranked Danish universities:
- Aarhus University
- University of Copenhagen
- Technical University of Denmark
- Copenhagen Business School
2. Student living costs in Denmark
Average living costs in Danish cities
Denmark’s no tuition fee policy is very attractive to EU/EEA students, but the high quality of life also means living costs and average prices are generally higher than in other places. To be able to cover these costs, you will have to budget your monthly expenses carefully.
As a rough estimate, international students need between 800 – 1,200 EUR/month to live in Denmark. These costs can go up or down based on your habits: how much you spend on shopping and going out, how much you travel, and so on. You should also expect to pay more if you decide to study in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen.
Accommodation costs
Accommodation represents around one third of your monthly living costs in Denmark. You should expect to pay between 400 – 670 EUR in most cities and around 800 – 900 EUR in Copenhagen.
If you start looking for housing early, you may be able to find places for 250 EUR/month in housing outside the city.
Main accommodation options for students in Denmark:
- Students living alone – 450 EUR/month
- Students living with their partner/a colleague – 500 EUR/month
- Student halls of residence (kollegier) – between 250 – 300 EUR/month
You might find it very difficult to find accommodation right before the semester begins. That’s why you should start exploring your options months before you move to Denmark. This allows you to compare different locations and prices and not make a rushed decision. Another benefit of choosing a place earlier is that you won’t have to deal with the stress of not knowing where you’ll live.
Check out the experiences of these students who pursued a degree in Denmark:
- Phoebe’s story
- Gratsiela’s story
- Razvan’s story
Food costs
Average food expenses in Denmark will amount to 200 – 270 EUR/month, depending on your spending habits. You can find lower grocery prices at discount supermarkets such as Bilka, Lidl, Netto, Fakta or Aldi.
On average, dining out in the city costs 30 EUR/person, and a beer or a soft drink at a bar is around 5 EUR.
Transportation costs
In Denmark, almost 50% of students use bikes to get to their university, while 30% use public transport. A monthly public transport pass for the bus, metro or train amounts to 40 – 50 EUR/month.
Denmark, and particularly Copenhagen, are the heaven of bikes, presumably outnumbering people. So you can always rent a bike and enjoy cycling through the city.
Extra costs and savings
- You will spend some money on books and other study materials, usually between 30 – 65 EUR/month.
- On average, for social activities, students spend between 120 and 175 EUR/month.
- If you register for an international youth travel card, you can get major discounts to visit sights around Denmark.
- If you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen and don’t register with the Danish Civil Registration System, you might have to pay for health insurance. You can learn more about medical insurance on the Study in Denmark website.
Related:
Cost of Living in Denmark
3. University scholarships and grants
There are several ways of covering your study and living expenses in Denmark. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
- The Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements – these are scholarships offered to highly qualified exchange students who want to study the Danish language, habits, and culture or related subjects (e.g. Architecture, Design).
- The Erasmus+ or Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) programmes – these are programmes offered by the European Union in collaboration with universities and other institutions. The aim of the programmes is to encourage people to go and study abroad, to explore and embrace different cultures, and develop both interpersonal and academic skills.
- The Nordplus programme – it’s available only for students who already study at a Nordic or Baltic higher education institution. If you qualify, you might have the opportunity to study in another Nordic or Baltic country.
- The Fulbright Programme – only available for American students who enrol in a Master’s or PhD programme in Denmark.
- Scholarships offered by universities to non-EU/EEA citizens – these scholarships are funded by the Danish government. To see which university offers them and how/if you can apply, check the admission or funding/scholarship page on the university website.
- The Danish State Educational Support (SU) – those are educational grants normally offered to Danish students. However, international students can also apply as long as they meet the application requirements.
You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies abroad.
4. Visa and residence permit fees for Denmark
Students from the EU/EEA & Switzerland can stay in Denmark for 3 months without a permit. After that, they need to apply for a registration certificate. The document is released in one week, and it is free of charge.
Non-EU/EEA citizens need a residence permit to study in Denmark. The processing time takes around 2 months, and you have to pay a fee of 255 EUR. To learn more about visas and residence permits, visit the Nyidanmark.dk website.
You can check more details about the Danish student visa requirements based on your nationality:
- Turkish students applying for a Danish visa
- Indian students applying for a Danish visa
- Nigerian students applying for a Danish visa
- U. S. students applying for a Danish visa
- Emirati students applying for a Danish visa