International Students: Free University Education In Denmark?

Denmark is a popular destination for international students due to its low study costs, high-quality English-taught Master's degrees, and innovative teaching methods. While university in Denmark is free for students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and permanent residents, international students from outside these regions must pay tuition fees. These fees can range from €6,000 to €18,000 per year, depending on the institution and program of study. However, there are scholarships and grants available to help international students with tuition fee costs, such as the Danish State Educational Support (SU) and scholarships offered by individual universities and the Danish government.

EU/EEA and Swiss students study for free

EU/EEA and Swiss students can study for free in Denmark, as can those who, according to EU law, are entitled to the same status as Danish citizens. This includes all undergraduates and postgraduates. Exchange programme students can also study for free in Denmark.

Students from outside the EU/EEA area will be charged a fee when applying for a residence permit (visa) to study in Denmark. They will also need to factor in the cost of their residence permit. Non-EU/EEA students with a permanent residence permit will not have to pay application fees.

For international students, tuition fees can range from €8,000 to €18,000 per year, depending on the institution and the program of study. Less expensive degrees, such as social sciences, start from about €6,000 per year, while specialist degrees like medicine can cost up to €35,000 per year. The average degree cost in Denmark is around €12,000 to €15,000 per year.

There are scholarships available for international students, offered by both the Danish government and universities themselves. The Danish government offers scholarships under the Cultural Agreements to 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.

Scholarships for international students

University education in Denmark is free for students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and permanent residents. For students from outside the EU/EEA who are not permanent residents, fees can be high, ranging from €8,000 to €18,000 per year. However, there are scholarship options available for international students.

The Danish government offers a limited number of scholarships each year to fund highly qualified full-degree students from non-EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must be citizens of a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, enrolled in a full-degree higher education program, and granted a time-limited residence permit in Denmark for educational purposes.

Several national and European programs also offer scholarships for international students wishing to study in Denmark. The Erasmus Mundus program, for example, is open to both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students and offers scholarships for specific Master's degree programs jointly offered by a Danish institution and another European university or college. The Fulbright Denmark program offers grants for American scholars or postgraduate students at the Master's or PhD level to study and/or research in Denmark for an academic year. Additionally, the University of Copenhagen offers a limited number of tuition waivers and grants through the Danish Government Scholarship program for highly talented students from non-EU/EEA countries with outstanding academic records.

Other scholarship options for international students in Denmark include the John Monash Scholarship for Australian citizens pursuing taught master's programs or doctorates, the International Scholarships Program (ISP) of Global Affairs Canada for Canadian students and researchers, and the CONICYT Becas Chile for Chilean citizens pursuing postgraduate studies.

High living costs in Denmark

Denmark has a high standard of living, with an enticing mix of calm natural environments and bustling cities, and a great work-life balance. It has featured in the top 10 of the World Happiness Report every year since the report's inception in 2013. Denmark did not adopt the euro when it became a member of the EU; its currency is the Danish krone (DKK), which is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 7.46 DKK per EUR.

The cost of living in Denmark varies from region to region. As the capital and largest city, Copenhagen is a natural draw for expats moving to Denmark. However, there are other exciting places to consider, such as Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg, where the costs of living may be somewhat lower. Living in a major city will usually be significantly more costly than choosing a rural retreat, and Denmark is no exception. Your money will go further if you live a little out of the city centre or choose a smaller town as your base.

The costs of life in Denmark are on the high side, but this is reflected in extremely healthy average salaries. For example, the median salaries for architects, fashion designers, and financial analysts in Aarhus rank within the top 3 globally.

For international students, the cost of living is a factor to consider when studying in Denmark. While higher education is free for students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and permanent residents, fees for other international students can range from €8,000 to €18,000 per year, depending on the institution and program of study. These fees do not include living expenses, which can vary depending on location and lifestyle.

Application fees for non-EU/EEA students

For students from outside the EU/EEA, the application fees for Danish universities can vary. Aarhus University, for example, charges an application fee of DKK 750 / €100 for non-EU/EEA applicants, which covers up to three applications. This fee is charged separately by each university you apply to, although it can sometimes cover multiple applications to the same institution.

There are some exemptions to these fees. Non-EU/EEA students with a permanent residence permit in Denmark are usually exempt from paying application fees. This exemption also applies to students who have already completed a Danish undergraduate degree and are applying for a master's degree.

In addition to application fees, non-EU/EEA students will need to budget for the cost of their residence permit. The cost of applying for a residence permit as a student is about €333. From 2024, students will also need to demonstrate that they have access to DKK 6,820 (approximately €913) for every month they intend to spend in Denmark, up to a maximum of 12 months.

While tuition fees in Denmark can be high for non-EU/EEA students, ranging from €8,000 to €18,000 per year, there are scholarship options available. The University of Copenhagen, for example, offers a limited number of tuition waivers and grants through the Danish Government Scholarship programme. These scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded to talented students with outstanding academic records from non-EU/EEA countries. All non-EU/EEA applicants offered admission will automatically be considered for the scholarship.

English-taught programmes in Denmark

Denmark offers a wide range of English-taught programmes at its higher education institutions, including universities, university colleges, business academies, and artistic institutions. These programmes are recognised internationally and are known for their high quality.

There are over 541 English-taught study programmes offered at Danish higher education institutions, with almost 8,000 applicants with non-Danish citizenship applying for a place in these programmes annually. The application deadline for international students is often around a month before the start of the programme, and it is recommended to prepare as much as possible before moving to a new country to study.

The tuition fees for international students at Danish universities can vary depending on the student's citizenship and residence status. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, as well as those with residence permits or who are entitled to the same status as Danish citizens, can study for free. For other international students, the fees can range from €8,000 to €18,000 per year, with the average degree costing around €12,000 to €15,000 per year. Less expensive degrees, such as social sciences, start from about €6,000 per year, while specialist degrees like medicine can cost up to €35,000 per year.

There are also various scholarship opportunities available for international students, offered by both the government and private sectors, to help fund their studies in Denmark. These include the Erasmus Mundus programme, which offers Master's students the chance to study courses jointly provided by a Danish university and a partner European university. Additionally, Denmark has a State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme available for international students who meet specific criteria.

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