Frequently Asked
Questions

You meet the citizenship requirement, yes — but being non-EU/EEA is just one of several conditions. You also need to be applying to a state-approved full-degree program at a participating Danish university, and you must not qualify for Danish State Educational Support (SU). Meeting all three makes you eligible to compete; it doesn't guarantee a scholarship. The scholarship goes to the top academic performers among admitted non-EU/EEA students.

Yes. Swiss citizens are explicitly eligible for the Danish Government Scholarship despite not being EU or EEA members. Switzerland has bilateral agreements with the EU, but that doesn't affect this scholarship — the rule is simply non-EU/EEA, and Swiss citizens qualify.

Yes. Since January 2021, UK citizens are no longer EU/EEA members and are treated as non-EU/EEA students for tuition and scholarship purposes. British students now pay international fees at Danish universities and are eligible for the government scholarship.

You're treated as an EU/EEA student and are NOT eligible for the government scholarship. If you hold EU citizenship — even alongside a non-EU passport — you pay EU-level tuition and are excluded from the government scholarship.

No. Your current country of residence is irrelevant. What matters is your citizenship. A Brazilian living in Germany applies as a Brazilian citizen — non-EU/EEA, and eligible. The only location-based restriction would be if you'd previously been living in Denmark under circumstances that qualify you for SU (Danish student grants).

SU is Denmark's universal student grant system — approximately DKK 6,166/month. Most international students don't qualify for it because it's tied to legal residence status and specific permit types. But some students with Danish partners or long-term work permits may qualify. If you're eligible for SU, you can receive that instead — you just can't receive both SU and the government scholarship simultaneously. The government scholarship specifically targets students who do NOT have access to SU.

This varies by university. Most publicized scholarship awards target Master's students because that's where most non-EU/EEA international enrollment is concentrated. Some universities include PhD students in their scholarship consideration — check directly with the university's admissions office.

Yes. Having a Danish bachelor's degree doesn't disqualify you from the scholarship for a Danish Master's — as long as you still meet the other criteria (non-EU/EEA citizenship, not qualifying for SU, etc.). DTU specifically notes that Danish-bachelor holders applying for their MSc can still apply by January 15.

No official published minimum exists. But in practice, the bar is extremely high. At UCPH's Faculty of Science, 2025 scholarship recipients had bachelor's GPAs at or above the 98th percentile of their cohort. At Aarhus, only 1–2 scholarships exist per Master's program. Meeting admission requirements is far below the actual competitive scholarship standard.

No. This is the most common confusion. There is no central Danish Government Scholarship application — no government website you submit to. Each university manages its own scholarship allocation through its own admission process. You apply to a university for admission, and the scholarship consideration happens as part of that process.

At most universities (UCPH, Aarhus, AAU, RUC, ITU), the consideration is automatic — all admitted non-EU/EEA applicants are reviewed. No separate application is needed. DTU and CBS are the exceptions: DTU requires a separate personal statement explicitly requesting the waiver; CBS requires a personal statement uploaded in the portal plus a box checked indicating scholarship interest.

Yes, significantly. Each university has its own scholarship pool — they don't compete with each other. Applying to three universities means three separate chances, each with their own allocation. Apply to as many as you realistically qualify for.

Timing varies by university. DTU and Aarhus typically notify in March–April for January applications. CBS Round 1 typically communicates by April. SDU notifies after the interview process concludes. The scholarship decision usually comes with or just after the admission decision.

The admission and scholarship processes are simultaneous at most universities. You don't need an offer letter before applying — your application for admission is also your scholarship consideration. The final scholarship decision is made after the university decides on admissions.

CBS says it must be "personal and specific" — not a template. Focus on: your academic achievements (GPA, honors, awards), relevant work or life experience, why you chose this specific CBS program (not just CBS generally), and your post-graduation goals. Two pages maximum. Generic statements that could apply to any scholarship are the main reason statements fail.

The DTU statement must explicitly state that you are requesting the tuition fee waiver — otherwise your application isn't considered. Beyond that, focus on undergraduate academic achievement: GPA, class ranking, research experience, publications, competition results. DTU cares about what you've already accomplished academically, not just your future goals.

Yes. SDU is unique among Danish universities in including an online interview as part of the scholarship selection. The interview covers your motivation for the program, technical background in your field, and career plans. Past applicants describe it as conversational rather than adversarial. You don't need to prepare as if it's an exam — but know your field and why SDU specifically.

At CBS, yes — there are two rounds (January 15 and October 15). Applying in Round 1 gives access to more scholarship spots. At other universities with two intakes, scholarship availability in the second round is typically less, or not available. Check with each university.

Not always. Many scholarship databases label it "fully funded," which is misleading. At DTU, the scholarship covers tuition only — no monthly stipend. At UCPH and Aarhus's STEM faculties, it's also often tuition only. Full funding (tuition + monthly grant) is available at CBS (DKK 8,000/month) and SDU (DKK 6,090/month). What you actually get depends on which university and faculty admits you.

CBS: DKK 8,000/month before tax (about DKK 6,500–7,000 after). SDU: DKK 6,090/month before tax (about DKK 5,000–5,400 after). Whether it's enough depends on the city. In Sønderborg (SDU), the stipend covers basics. In Copenhagen (CBS), it covers basics but leaves very little margin. Most Copenhagen scholarship students supplement with part-time work.

Yes. The monthly stipend is taxable income under Danish law. Before you obtain a tax card from SKAT, 55% is automatically withheld — this is the default rate. It's returned when you file your taxes, but the cash flow impact in your first months is significant. Get your CPR number immediately on arrival, then register with SKAT for a tax card to fix this.

Yes. A tuition-only scholarship doesn't satisfy the financial self-sufficiency requirement for a Danish student residence permit. You need to demonstrate DKK 7,426/month in available funds (2026 level) for your entire study period. This must come from savings or verifiable income. Plan for this before applying for your permit.

No. Health coverage in Denmark comes from the public system via CPR registration — not from the scholarship. Once you have a CPR number and yellow health card, healthcare is free. Before CPR registration (the first 2–6 weeks), only emergency care is free. Bring private travel/health insurance to cover the gap between arrival and CPR completion.

No. You must find and fund your housing independently. There is no on-campus housing in Denmark. In Copenhagen, student housing waitlists are notoriously long. The stipend (where included) is meant to help cover living costs, but a housing deposit — typically 1–3 months' rent — is not covered and must come from your own funds.

No. Neither flights to Denmark nor the cost of relocating are covered by the scholarship.

Very difficult, especially in Copenhagen. There's roughly 1 subsidized student housing unit for every 12 students who need one. Waiting lists for student dormitories can be years long in the general queue. Apply to your university's housing office the day you accept your offer. Consider temporary options (like Copenhagen's August–November "Startup Housing" program) while you search for permanent accommodation.

After registering for a CPR number and receiving your yellow health card, you have full access to Denmark's public healthcare system — GP visits, hospitals, most specialist referrals — for free. Dental care, physiotherapy, and glasses are generally not covered. Before CPR registration, only emergency care is free.

Yes, if you're in a state-approved program. You can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (September–May) and full-time during June, July, and August. In practice, finding part-time work is harder than it sounds — most service sector jobs in Denmark expect some Danish language skills, even in a country where nearly everyone speaks English.

Not for your studies — all programs eligible for the government scholarship are taught in English. But for finding a student job, making deeper social connections, and practical daily situations (some paperwork, local businesses outside Copenhagen), basic Danish is very useful. Many universities offer free beginner Danish courses for international students.

The CPR number is Denmark's civil registration number — like a national identity number. Without it, you can't open a proper bank account, access free healthcare, get a tax card, or access most public services. You register at your local Borgerservice (citizen service center) within 5 days of arriving. Processing takes 2–6 weeks. It's the first thing to sort after landing.

Pretty dark, especially for students from tropical countries. In Copenhagen in December, you get about 6 hours of daylight. The sun sets around 3:30–4:00 PM. Temperatures are typically 0–5°C in winter, sometimes dropping to -5°C or below. The darkness is the main challenge — not the cold. A good winter coat, a daylight lamp, and staying socially active help significantly.

Yes. Denmark consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world. Personal security, low crime rates, and a stable social environment make it a safe place to study and live. Many international students from higher-crime-rate countries cite this as one of the best unexpected benefits of studying in Denmark.

Yes. Graduates of state-approved programs can apply for a post-study job-seeking permit. The standard permit is 6 months. For Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD graduates, a 3-year job-seeking permit is available, which lets you remain in Denmark to find employment.

The 3-year job-seeking permit maintains the same work rights as during studies — up to 20 hours/week during the academic year period, full-time in June/July/August. To work full-time without restrictions year-round, you need a separate employer-sponsored work permit or a different permit category.

Yes. Study years count toward Denmark's 8-year legal residence requirement for permanent residency. However, you also need to meet language, work, and financial requirements — study years alone don't get you permanent residency. The work requirement (3.5 years of regular full-time employment in the last 4 years) is the hardest to meet as a student.

Strong for STEM fields, particularly engineering (DTU graduates), tech, and business (CBS graduates). The Danish labor market values Danish degrees highly. The main practical barrier for most international graduates is language — most non-academic employment eventually requires Danish language skills. Graduates who invest in learning Danish significantly improve their long-term employment options in Denmark.

Yes. Options after graduation include the post-study job-seeking permit, an employer-sponsored work permit if you have a job offer, or a startup visa if you're establishing a business. Denmark's "Fast Track" work permit system and other categories may also apply depending on your situation and salary level.