Study in Denmark

Denmark blends high academic standards with a welcoming, English-friendly environment and an easy quality of life. Universities emphasise critical thinking, group work and real-world application, while cities are compact, bikeable, and safe. Most Danes speak excellent English, and there are hundreds of programmes taught entirely in English.

Danish higher education is known for innovation and research links with industry. Problem-based learning (for example, at Aalborg University) and close collaboration with employers are common, and universities highlight student counselling, orientation, and housing help for internationals. Beyond the classroom, Denmark scores well on work-life balance and student wellbeing, with an emphasis on sustainability and outdoor life. English-taught options span universities, business academies, and university colleges, and doctoral training is integrated with research networks.

You’ll also find practical support for settling in: clear visa guidance, a national health system that covers residents, and a culture of cycling and cost-savvy habits. A national portal helps you browse English-taught programmes across institutions, and many campuses offer buddy activities and Friday bars that make it easy to meet people.

Denmark is ideal for students who want academically rigorous, practice-oriented study in a safe, green, and highly international setting.

Campus culture is informal and collaborative. Students are expected to contribute in seminars, work in teams, and take responsibility for their schedules. Many departments and student associations organise social events, including the well-known Friday bars in Copenhagen and other cities, creating a relaxed way to connect across programmes.

Daily life is active and outdoorsy. Cycling is part of the culture, with extensive bike lanes in major cities. Summers mean picnics and beaches; winters lean into hygge—cozy gatherings and indoor social time. Most students live in shared flats or student residences and use simple, cost-saving habits like cooking at home and biking to campus.

Part-time work is common; students typically work 10–20 hours per week, and internships may be part-time or full-time depending on the organisation. A student job can strengthen your CV, build your Danish network, and improve your language skills.

Start with Denmark’s official programme search to find 600+ English-taught options across universities, university colleges, business academies, and artistic institutions. Each listing links to the institution for entry requirements, content, and deadlines. Explore institutional pages to see teaching approaches (e.g., problem-based learning), support services, and campus life.

Subject strengths appear across engineering, IT, design, social sciences, and health. Look for signs of industry collaboration (internships, project partners) and study environment fit (size, location, facilities). Shortlist programmes by curriculum structure, thesis/project expectations, and career pathways such as internships or exchange.

To decide, compare: admission requirements, programme format (project-based, lab-intensive, or coursework-heavy), location and housing options, and links to employers or research centres in your field.

Higher education is free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, for exchange students, and for certain residence-permit holders (e.g., permanent or qualifying temporary residence). All other students pay tuition, set by institutions.

Typical annual tuition for full-degree non-EU/EEA students ranges roughly DKK 45,000–120,000 (about EUR 6,000–16,000 / USD 8,000–21,000), depending on the programme and university. Always confirm the exact fee with your institution.

Doctoral programmes are applied for via advertised projects and scholarships at universities. Admission and fee rules vary; funding routes include faculty-funded PhDs and industry-linked options.

Scholarship options include national and European schemes accessed through institutional agreements and exchange frameworks. Notable routes include Erasmus and Nordplus for eligible students. Universities may also advertise funded PhD projects or programme-specific fee reductions. For current opportunities and how to apply, consult Denmark’s Scholarships hub and the scholarship pages of your target institution.

Applications to undergraduate programmes are coordinated centrally via optagelse.dk (the Coordinated Admission System), though assessments are made by each institution. You can list up to eight programmes and must submit a signed signature page for each application to the relevant institution. Key deadlines are 15 March (12:00 CET) for quota 2 and applicants with non-Danish or IB qualifications, and 5 July (12:00 CET) for quota 1 applicants with Danish upper-secondary credentials. Decisions typically arrive on 28 July.

Before applying, check three requirement types: general entry (your qualification must be comparable to Danish upper-secondary level), specific subject/grade requirements set by the programme, and language requirements. Master’s applications are handled directly with institutions; processes and deadlines vary by university.

Quick checklist:
• Shortlist programmes on the official portal and institution sites.
• Confirm entry and language requirements; plan any supplementary courses if needed.
• Prepare documents (transcripts, ID, language test, CV) and submit via the required portal.
• Monitor signatures/uploads and institutional deadlines; keep your application IDs handy.
• Watch for admission results and instructions on residence permits and housing.

Non-EU/EEA students planning to study in Denmark for more than three months must obtain a residence permit for studies before arrival. You must document admission to an approved programme, show you will complete a full programme or a guest/visiting stay, prove sufficient funds (often evidenced by paid tuition for the first term or a recent bank statement in your name with currency visible), and document command of the language of instruction (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English, or German). Apply online or at a Danish mission; biometric data submission is required and a processing fee applies. For full details, see our Visa guide.

All programmes require a high standard of English. For English-taught degrees, institutions typically require proficiency comparable to Danish English B (some need English A). Accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge exams; minimum scores vary by university (indicative ranges for English B often include IELTS around 6.5 and TOEFL iBT around 79–93; higher for English A).

For Danish-taught programmes, you must pass recognised Danish language tests (e.g., Studieprøven or Danskprøve 2/3). Many municipalities offer free Danish lessons for international students, which can support integration and broaden work options.

Housing in Denmark’s larger cities is competitive and relatively pricey, especially near the centre. Universities advise starting with their housing pages and being flexible on neighbourhood and housing type. Many students opt for rooms in shared apartments or student residences, which can reduce costs and build a social network.

Expect to sign a written contract and pay rent on the first business day each month. Landlords commonly request a deposit up to three months’ rent and may also require up to three months’ prepaid rent (maximum combined six months). Utilities are often paid a conto (on-account) with an annual settlement. Use reputable portals, never pay deposits in cash, and be cautious of pressure to sign immediately.

Living costs vary by city and lifestyle. Biking, cooking at home, and sharing accommodation are standard ways to save. Below is a rough monthly budget.

Tips: housing is the biggest variable; shared flats and locations outside the city centre are cheaper. Copenhagen is typically at the higher end; smaller cities can be noticeably lower. Bring funds for initial deposits and basic household items.

Denmark offers universal healthcare for residents. Once you obtain a residence permit (if required) and register for a CPR number, you receive a yellow health card and access to public healthcare. EU/EEA/Swiss students staying under 3 months can use the EHIC for medically necessary care. Non-EU visitors without CPR registration are covered only for emergencies and must self-insure for other services and medical repatriation. Many students carry private insurance to cover gaps, travel, and non-covered services like dental care.

Universities provide International Offices, student counselling, orientation programmes and, in some cases, housing assistance for international students. Student unions and national bodies publish practical survival guides covering housing, biking culture, CPR/MitID, and everyday life. Many campuses run buddy/mentor schemes and career services with job portals and employer events. If you have a disability, contact your institution early to discuss available accommodations and support; arrangements are handled at the university level. Information not available on official sources for a single nationwide disability office; check your university’s pages.

Make the most of Denmark’s outdoors: coastal walks, public beaches, city parks, and extensive cycling routes cost nothing. Student discounts are common for transport, cultural events, and attractions. Universities and unions advertise free or low-cost events on campus.

Cafés and museums often have student prices or free entry days. Keep an eye on local municipality pages for festivals and community activities. Exploring neighbourhood markets and borrowing a second-hand bike are cost-effective ways to experience local life.

Many students progress to Master’s and then PhD programmes via advertised projects, including industrial PhDs conducted with a company. Degrees often include internships, projects with external partners, or exchanges that build networks.

After graduation, international students explore careers in Denmark through student jobs, internships, and graduate roles. There are English-language job portals and practical guidance on permits and employment. Universities highlight Denmark’s strong work-life balance and links with industry as advantages for graduates.

Can I work while studying in Denmark?
Yes. Student jobs are common, typically 10–20 hours per week; internships can be part-time or full-time depending on the organisation. Check your residence-permit conditions if you are a non-EU/EEA student, and use university career pages and national job portals for openings.

Is English enough for studies and daily life?
For English-taught programmes, you must document English proficiency (tests like IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge are accepted; minimums vary). Most Danes speak English, so daily life is manageable, but learning Danish helps with integration and job prospects—many municipalities offer free lessons.

What is the average monthly budget?
A typical student budget ranges widely by city and lifestyle. Planning around DKK 7,000–14,000 per month for essentials (rent, food, transport, phone, personal costs) is a useful starting point, with Copenhagen at the higher end. Initial move-in costs include deposits of several months’ rent.

Do international students get healthcare?
Residents with a CPR number are covered by Denmark’s public healthcare (GP visits and specialist referrals are free under Group 1). EU/EEA/Swiss students staying under 3 months can use the EHIC for necessary care. Non-EU visitors without registration are covered for emergencies only and should hold private insurance.

How do I apply for housing?
Begin with your university’s housing pages and be open to shared accommodation. In big cities, rooms are more available than entire apartments. Expect a written contract, a deposit up to three months’ rent, and possibly prepaid rent. Never pay deposits in cash and beware of pressure to sign immediately.