8 Danish universities that offer scholarships to international students

It’s no debate that the Danes are the happiest people on earth. Denmark, a small country with a population of approximately 5,5 million, is one of the three Scandinavian countries in the world. Copenhagen, its capital, is home to royal palaces and colourful Nyhavn harbour. If studying abroad (Europe) is your dream, then Denmark should be on your list. There are a lot of benefits to working and studying in Denmark besides it being the country with the happiest people. The Danish welfare system is free and has equal rights benefits such as healthcare and education for all citizens.

For EU/EEA  international students, studying in Denmark is free with 50+ universities in Denmark and about 5000 scholarships in Europe for both Non-EU/EU international students by the European Commission. Danish higher education has a long tradition of cooperation with business, industry, and research institutes, creating an enriching and vibrant learning environment for its students. International students can also find a range of opportunities, as Danish universities are highly international and offer many programs in English. 

No funds, no worries. In this article, I will list 8 Universities that offer full-degree (Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D.) scholarships for international students and 4 Danish government scholarships for international students (Non-EU) that even many people do not know about. Things you to find out in this article include,

Related: 15 Scholarships in Europe for African Students 

Why Study In Denmark?

1. Home to some of the world’s best universities

Denmark is home to some of the world’s best universities. According to one of the oldest and most well-known university rankings, the QS World University Rankings 2022 features two universities in Denmark, which both rank among the 100 best out of 1300 universities. The University of Copenhagen ranks 79 and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) ranks number 99 among 1300 universities in the world. This means that the two Danish universities rank among the six and eight percent of the best universities in the world, respectively. For a relatively small country like Denmark, this ranking is extremely impressive. 

So, are you looking to study in one of the best universities in the region? Do you want to learn and be tutored by world-class professionals in some of the best universities in the world? then, Denmark should be your ideal study location. 

2. Free education

While the Nordic countries have relatively high living costs, this is to a large extent balanced out by low tuition fees–you may even get a free tuition degree! In Denmark, tuition remains free-for-all EU/EEA students and for students on exchange programs. International students from further afield can expect to pay €6,000-16,000 (~$7,050-18,800) per year. Some scholarships are also available for International students at Danish Universities, including both government initiatives and University-specific awards. To find out more about the Danish scholarships, read more.

3. Attractive lifestyle

Beyond the universities, there’s also the wider appeal of the Scandinavian lifestyle. Denmark may not have the world’s most appealing climates, but we know it for the high quality of life, highly advanced social support systems, and leadership on issues ranging from gender equality to environmental policy. Its capital, Copenhagen, is a beautiful city that attracts thousands of tourists every day. If you are someone who likes ancient architectural designs, artworks, decorative art, glass, ceramics, fashion, textile and poster art, as well as industrial design from the Middle Ages to the present, Denmark might be the ideal country for you. It is full of royalty, rich cultures, and amazing designs. 

8 Danish universities that offer scholarships to international students

These Danish Universities listed below offer a Full Tuition Fee waiver or Partial Waiver and cover some part of the living cost as a student. Here are the 8 Danish universities you can apply to for free as an International student.

1. IT University of Copenhagen (ITU)
2. Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
3. Roskilde University (RUC)
4. Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
5. Aalborg University (AAU)
6. University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
7. University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
8. Aarhus University (AU)

Note: To complete the application process efficiently and successfully, you must read the Application Instructions carefully before/during the application process.

Editor’s Note: Here are 6 things you should know when preparing to study abroad

4 Danish Government Scholarships For International Students

These Scholarships listed below apply to only Non-EU citizens. To get more detailed information, kindly visit the scholarships programs websites.

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree

The Erasmus Mundus Program is a popular scholarship program for Africans. They are programs offered by the European Union in collaboration with universities and other institutions. The programs aim to encourage people to study abroad, explore and embrace different cultures. It is open to both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students. Through the Erasmus Mundus scheme, you can apply for a scholarship to study a specific Master’s degree program. 

Students and scholars must contact the individual Erasmus Mundus Master courses to learn more about scholarships and application procedures.

Here is a list of approved Erasmus Mundus Masters courses in Denmark:

• The Technical University of Denmark
  • Course: SECCLO – Master’s program in Security and Cloud Computing

• Aalborg University
  • Course: Educating software engineers with a sustainability mindset to improve the well-being of people through software solutions

• The Technical University of Denmark
  • Courses: 
  • REM – Renewable Energy in the Marine Environment
  • Sustainable Ship and Shipping 4.0

• The University of Copenhagen
  • Courses:
  • EMCL + – European Master in Clinical Linguistics ++
  • International Law of Global Security, Peace, and Development

Related: Check out this step-by-step guide on how to apply and secure an’ Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarship

2. Danish Government Scholarships For Highly Qualified Non-EU/EEA Students

Danish universities receive a few government scholarships each year to fund highly qualified full-degree students from non-EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be:

• A citizen of a country outside the EU, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland
• Enrolled in a full degree, higher education program
• Granted a time-limited residence permit in Denmark because of education

You are not eligible for a Danish government scholarship if:

• You are seeking admission to an Artistic Higher Education Institution.
• You have a legal claim to the rights of Danish citizens.
• You have been granted a residence permit at the time of admission by the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act S9 c, subsection 1, as the child of a foreign citizen who has been granted a residence permit under the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act S9 m, and who is a citizen of a country that is not covered by the EEA agreement.
• You are a student who is eligible for a grant under Danish Law regarding the State Education Fund.

The Danish universities select the students who qualify and then administer the scholarships. For further information about the government scholarship, please consult the admission details of the higher education institution of your choice.

Note: The government scholarship comprises two parts and can be given as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants towards covering your living costs. However, since the higher education institutions administer the scholarships themselves, make sure you inquire at the institution of your choice for further details.

3. The Danish State Educational Support (SU)

The Danish educational support is educational grant support usually offered to Danish students. However, international students can also apply as long as they meet the application requirements.

4. The Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements

These are scholarships offered to highly qualified exchange students who want to study the Danish language, habits, and culture or related subjects (e.g. Architecture, Design).

Wrap Up

Denmark is a highly developed nation that makes learning easy for potential international students with its thriving learning environment and high-standard education. They don’t just encourage students to find solutions but turn them into innovative thinkers.

I know moving to a new country can be quite stressful, especially for young people, that is why the Urban Nomads is here to support you in your migration journey. If Denmark seems like your ideal study destination, kindly subscribe to the Japa plan to gain access to our pool of academic consultants who are available to guide you throughout your application process.