This page covers all scholarship tracks available for studying in Denmark. For the main program, see the Overview. For detailed coverage and stipend amounts, see Benefits & Coverage.
The Danish Government Scholarship
Each university receives a limited annual allocation. Competition is high — selection is based on academic performance among admitted applicants.
This is the most significant scholarship track for non-EU/EEA students at Danish universities. Every other track serves a narrower audience or has additional constraints.
Cultural Agreement Scholarships (Bilateral Program)
The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science administers bilateral cultural agreement scholarships with 8 countries. These are fundamentally different from the Government Scholarship.
Important distinction
This is NOT for students seeking a full degree in Denmark — it's for exchange or research periods. If you're from one of these 8 countries and want a research stay rather than a full degree, this may be more relevant than the Government Scholarship.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Several Danish universities host Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programs where Denmark is one of the consortium countries. These are funded through the EU budget and are open to both EU and non-EU students worldwide.
Examples of programs with Danish university involvement: various engineering, environmental, and social science programs at DTU, UCPH, AU, and others.
How to find them: Search the Erasmus Mundus catalog at eacea.ec.europa.eu for programs where a Danish university is a consortium member. This is a strong option for EU/EEA students who cannot receive the Danish Government Scholarship.
Erasmus+ (Exchange — EU/EEA Students Only)
Standard Erasmus+ exchange allows EU/EEA students to study at Danish universities for one or two semesters while remaining enrolled at their home institution.
EU/EEA students enrolled at home institutions wanting 1-2 semesters in Denmark
Not available to non-EU/EEA students. Not for full-degree programs.
Nordplus (Nordic Countries + Baltic States)
Nordplus supports student exchange within the Nordic and Baltic region.
Fulbright Denmark Program
- ✓ Monthly stipend
- ✓ Round-trip travel
- ✓ Health insurance
- Varies by award type
If you're American, apply for the Danish Government Scholarship first through university admission. Fulbright is a strong complementary track — they are not mutually exclusive.
SU — Danish State Educational Support
The SU is Denmark's universal student grant for full-time students, paying approximately DKK 6,166/month. It is not a scholarship in the traditional sense — it's a state entitlement for eligible students.
International students who have been living legally in Denmark for a qualifying period, usually connected to work or family permits.
If you qualify for SU, you cannot receive the Danish Government Scholarship. Most newly arriving international students do not qualify for SU.
If you've previously lived in Denmark (e.g., as a dependent or worker), check your SU eligibility before applying for the Government Scholarship.
External and Country-Specific Scholarships
Many international students in Denmark are funded through programs from their home countries or international organizations. These are not Denmark-specific but can be used for study in Denmark.
Recommendation: Before applying for any Denmark-specific scholarship, check what external scholarships you qualify for based on your nationality, field, and background. External funding combined with a Danish Government Scholarship tuition waiver is possible.
University-Specific Scholarships
Some Danish universities offer additional scholarships from their own budgets, endowments, or partnerships — beyond the government allocation.
Check each university's official funding page for current offerings. Availability and amounts change year to year.
Quick Comparison
| Track | Who | Full degree? | EU/EEA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Scholarship | Non-EU/EEA | Yes | No |
| Bilateral / Cultural | 8 specific countries | Exchange only | Depends |
| Erasmus Mundus | All nationalities | Yes (joint degree) | Yes |
| Erasmus+ Exchange | EU/EEA only | Exchange only | Yes |
| Nordplus | Nordic-Baltic region | Exchange only | Yes |
| Fulbright | Americans only | Yes | N/A |
| SU (state grant) | Residents with qualifying history | Yes | Yes |
Next: Benefits & Coverage
Now that you know which tracks exist, find out exactly what each covers — tuition waivers, monthly stipend amounts by university, the tax reality, and whether the stipend is actually enough to live on.
Benefits & Coverage →