The Two Components
The Danish Government Scholarship can contain one or both of the following. Which one you receive depends entirely on the university and faculty you're admitted to.
SI (Studies in Denmark agency) pays your tuition directly to the university. You never see this money. This is the most common component — nearly all recipients get this.
A monthly payment to help cover living costs. Only some universities include this — and the amount varies. This is the part scholarship databases routinely get wrong.
Why "fully funded" is misleading
Many scholarship databases label this as "fully funded." That is only accurate for CBS and SDU. DTU scholarships, for example, cover tuition only. Always verify the specific package for your university and faculty.
University-by-University Coverage
- ✓ Full tuition waiver
- ✗ No monthly stipend
Your tuition is covered but you fund living costs entirely from savings or part-time work. Copenhagen is expensive.
Contact your UCPH faculty directly when you receive an offer — the package differs significantly between faculties.
Stipend amount is not publicly stated on AU's main scholarship page. Ask admissions directly when you receive an offer.
This is the most complete package available through the Danish Government Scholarship program. The DKK 8,000/month stipend still requires careful budgeting for Copenhagen living costs.
Available for specific STEM programs. Sønderborg has significantly lower living costs than Copenhagen, which makes this stipend genuinely adequate — one of the few cases in the program where that's true.
The Tax Reality
The monthly stipend is taxable income in Denmark.
This surprises almost everyone — and most scholarship guides skip it entirely.
Default withholding rate for people without a tax card. It is returned when you file taxes, but cash flow in your first weeks or months is significantly impacted.
Only the correct amount withheld. Register for CPR immediately on arrival, then apply for your tax card at skat.dk right away.
Tax treaty exception: Students from certain developing countries may have tax exemption rights under Denmark's bilateral tax treaties. Check with SKAT directly if you come from a country with a tax treaty with Denmark.
What the Scholarship Does NOT Cover
These costs are your responsibility regardless of which scholarship package you receive.
Is the Stipend Enough?
Verdict: CBS stipend (~DKK 6,500–7,000 after tax) covers basics in Copenhagen but leaves very little margin. A cheaper shared flat or university housing (if you get it) is essential. Most CBS scholarship holders work part-time.
Verdict: More comfortable than Copenhagen. A stipend that includes the living grant covers basic living more realistically in Aarhus than in the capital.
Verdict: The SDU stipend of ~DKK 5,000–5,400 after tax is adequate in Sønderborg. This is one of the few situations where the Danish Government Scholarship genuinely covers living costs without requiring part-time work.
Healthcare — Not Part of the Scholarship
Healthcare in Denmark is free — but it comes from the public system via CPR registration, not from the scholarship itself. This is a common point of confusion.
Full public healthcare access — hospitals, GP, prescriptions at subsidized rates. This is standard for all Danish residents, not a scholarship benefit.
Only emergency care is free. Routine treatment requires payment. Budget for private travel/health insurance to cover this gap.
The Kammarkollegiet insurance that SI scholarship holders get? That applies to SI scholarships, not the Danish Government Scholarship. These are different programs entirely.
The Residence Permit Financial Requirement
You still need to prove DKK 7,426/month in available funds when applying for your residence permit.
A tuition waiver alone does not satisfy the permit requirement. You need savings, guaranteed income, or a sponsorship letter to demonstrate self-sufficiency.
Plan for this well before you apply for your visa. The financial requirement is per month and must be demonstrable for the full duration of your stay. If your scholarship includes a stipend, that stipend counts toward the requirement.
Part-Time Work Rights
Non-EU/EEA students in state-approved programs have the right to work in Denmark. This is a practical benefit that most scholarship holders rely on to cover Copenhagen living costs comfortably.
The Danish minimum wage is one of the highest in the world — part-time student work generates meaningful income. Even CBS stipend holders commonly work part-time to supplement their monthly grant in Copenhagen.
After Graduation — Job-Seeking Rights
Scholarship holders who complete their degree can apply for a post-study job-seeking permit. This is a significant practical benefit for planning a career in Denmark after graduation.
Available for Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD graduates. Gives you time to find employment in Denmark and transition to a work visa without leaving the country. This applies to all international students who complete state-approved degrees — not only scholarship holders.
Quick Reference: What You Actually Get
| University | Tuition | Monthly stipend (gross) | Est. take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTU | Covered | None | — |
| UCPH (Social Sci.) | Covered | Varies by faculty | Ask faculty |
| UCPH (Theology) | Partial only | None | — |
| Aarhus (Arts/BSS) | Covered | Undisclosed — ask | Ask admissions |
| Aarhus (Nat/Tech Sci.) | Covered | None | — |
| CBS | Covered (22 mo.) | DKK 8,000 | ~DKK 6,500–7,000 |
| SDU (Sønderborg/Vejle) | Covered | DKK 6,090 | ~DKK 5,000–5,400 |
Next: Eligibility
Now that you understand what the scholarship covers, check whether you qualify — nationality, enrollment status, academic requirements, and what disqualifies you.