1. Why There's No Single Deadline
Unlike scholarships with centralized applications, the Danish Government Scholarship is distributed across eight universities, each with independent admissions cycles. Some universities offer only one intake per year; others offer two. Getting ahead of all deadlines requires tracking each university separately.
The earliest deadline is January 15 (DTU, CBS Round 1, Aarhus Round 1). If you're aiming for one of these, you need to start preparing in September or October of the prior year. Below is each university's current deadline information — always verify directly with the university as cycles can shift year to year.
2. Deadline Table by University
Technical University of Denmark
Lyngby (Copenhagen area)
Main deadline
January 15 — Autumn intake (September start)
Second intake
No regular spring intake for scholarship consideration
Decision communicated
Usually March–April
Important
The separate personal statement for tuition fee waiver consideration is due at the same time as the main application (January 15). Do not submit your main application without it.
University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Main deadline
March 1 for most programs (September intake)
Exceptions
Some programs have January or February deadlines — check individual program pages
Scholarship process
Automatic consideration with admission application. No separate form.
Aarhus University
Aarhus
Round 1
January 15 — Summer/September intake
Round 2
September 15 — Winter/January intake
Decision communicated
Typically 4–6 weeks after deadline
Response window warning
Aarhus scholarship offers come with a very short acceptance window — sometimes just a few days. Check your email immediately after the decision date and respond without delay.
Copenhagen Business School
Frederiksberg (Copenhagen)
Round 1 — January 15
September intake. More scholarship spots available.
Interview (if selected): Usually February. Decision: Usually by April.
Round 2 — October 15
January/February intake. Fewer scholarship spots.
Interview (if selected): Usually November. Decision: Usually by December.
Scholarship-specific action required
At CBS, you must check the scholarship consideration box in the portal AND upload your personal statement (max 2 pages) by the same deadline. Missing either means no scholarship consideration.
University of Southern Denmark
Sønderborg / Vejle
MSc programs (Sønderborg)
February 1
BSc programs (Vejle)
March 15
Online interview
After initial review, usually 3–6 weeks after deadline
Aalborg University
Aalborg / Copenhagen campus
Main deadline is approximately February 1 for most programs. Scholarship consideration is included with admission application — no separate form.
Check individual program pages at aau.dk for the current cycle deadline, as exact dates vary by program.
IT University of Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Main deadline is approximately January 15 for the September intake. Scholarship consideration is automatic with admission.
Verify the current deadline at itu.dk before applying.
Roskilde University
Roskilde
Main deadline is approximately March 1 for most programs. Scholarship consideration is included with admission application.
Confirm current deadlines at ruc.dk.
3. What You Should Be Doing Month by Month
A practical preparation calendar for applicants targeting the January 15 deadline universities.
September – October
- Research Danish universities and programs. Compare program content and city fit.
- Check the SI's eligible programs list if also considering the SI scholarship (a different scholarship with different rules).
- Request official transcript copies from your institution — this can take several weeks.
- Identify referees if required by your target program.
- Begin English proficiency test prep if not already certified.
November
- Take IELTS or TOEFL if you haven't yet. Allow time for scores to be reported to universities.
- Begin drafting your motivation letter and, for CBS or DTU, your scholarship personal statement.
- Research housing options in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and any other target cities.
December
- Complete all application documents. Review for errors and completeness.
- Have referees submit any required recommendation letters.
- DTU: Finalize and review your scholarship personal statement. Have someone else read it.
- CBS: Finalize personal statement (max 2 pages). Make it "personal and specific."
- Submit English test score reports to universities that require direct delivery from the testing provider.
January 15 — Hard Deadline
DTU, CBS Round 1, and Aarhus Round 1 all close on this date.
- Submit all applications before this date. Do not wait until the last hour.
- Confirm you receive email confirmation from each university portal.
- DTU: Verify your scholarship personal statement was uploaded successfully.
- CBS: Verify the scholarship consideration box is checked and personal statement is attached.
January 16 – February
- SDU MSc deadline: February 1. Submit if applying to SDU.
- ITU and AAU deadlines typically fall in this window.
- Start contacting student housing offices in your target cities. Start early — student housing lists fill quickly.
February – March
- Await scholarship interview invitations from SDU and possibly CBS.
- UCPH and RUC deadlines typically fall in this window — submit if you haven't already.
- SDU BSc deadline: March 15.
March – April
- Admission and scholarship decisions from January-deadline universities begin arriving.
- Aarhus notifications typically arrive. Respond immediately if you receive an offer.
- CBS Round 1 notifications typically arrive by April.
- DTU scholarship notifications typically arrive in this window.
4. The Two-Round Advantage at CBS
CBS is the only Danish Government Scholarship university with two application rounds, making it uniquely flexible for applicants who miss the January deadline.
Round 1 — January 15
- More scholarship spots available
- Larger admitted cohort
- September intake
Round 2 — October 15
- Fewer scholarship spots
- Backup option if Round 1 missed
- January/February intake
Strategy
If scholarship is a priority at CBS, always apply in Round 1 (January 15). The October round is a genuine backup option, but with meaningfully fewer spots available.
5. Response Window After Offer
This catches students off guard — particularly at Aarhus University. Once you receive a scholarship offer, there is a very short window to accept. At Aarhus, this window can be just a few days.
When you receive a scholarship offer
Read the email immediately
Set up email notifications for the address you used in your application. Do not let the offer sit unread.
Respond within the stated deadline — no exceptions
Universities will not extend acceptance deadlines. A missed response window means a forfeited offer.
Have documentation ready in advance
Payment details for stipend setup and any supporting documents requested at acceptance. Prepare these before the decision date.
Don't wait to "think about it"
If you're weighing multiple offers, make your decision process before the notifications arrive, not after. A few days is not enough time to start that process from scratch.
6. If You Miss the Deadline
Most January-deadline universities have no late application process. If you miss January 15 for DTU or Aarhus, you must wait until the next cycle.
Options if you miss a deadline
CBS Round 2 (October 15)
The strongest fallback option within the same year. Fewer spots, but a genuine second chance at CBS.
UCPH, SDU, RUC (February–March deadlines)
If you missed January 15, check whether these universities still have open deadlines. Some programs may have rolling consideration.
DTU and Aarhus: wait for next cycle
No late process. Use the extra time to strengthen your application materials for the following year.
7. Residence Permit Timing
After accepting a scholarship offer, you'll need a Danish student residence permit. Start immediately after you have your offer confirmed — do not wait.
Processing time
Up to 2–3 months. Apply as soon as you have your university offer and financial documentation.
Application fee
Approximately DKK 3,290. Non-refundable.
What you need
Proof of admission, proof of financial support (scholarship letter + any additional living cost funds), and a valid passport.
Financial support note
If your scholarship covers tuition only, you need to show you can cover living costs separately. Check the immigration authority's current income thresholds.
Apply as soon as you have your offer
Given the 2–3 month processing window, apply for your residence permit the week you receive your scholarship and admission letter. Don't wait until after you've sorted housing.
Need to prepare your documents?
Review what every university requires before submitting.