How much is tuition in Denmark for international students?

Study in Denmark puts annual tuition for full-degree students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland at €6,000 to €16,000 (DKK 45,000 to 120,000). The exact fee depends on the institution. EU/EEA and Swiss students, exchange students and some long-term residents study free.

How much money do I need for a Danish student residence permit?

SIRI requires a disposable amount of DKK 7,426 a month at the 2026 level. For studies longer than a year you document 12 months, a maximum of DKK 89,112. If you have already paid your first semester's tuition, that is accepted as documentation of sufficient funds.

Can international students work in Denmark?

Yes, on most programmes. SIRI allows 90 hours a month during the normal study period from September to May, and full-time work in June, July and August. Students on programmes that are not state-approved who applied on or after 2 May 2025 have no right to work.

Can I stay in Denmark after I graduate?

You will usually get a job seeking permit together with your residence permit. If you applied on or after 1 October 2026 for an academy profession, bachelor's or master's programme, it is generally 6 months or 1 year; applications before that date generally got 6 months or 3 years. PhD graduates generally get 3 years.

Study in Denmark - ScholarRadar

Study in Denmark

Danish universities charge students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland roughly €6,000 to €16,000 a year, and the immigration service wants to see DKK 7,426 a month for living costs. Work rights are counted by the month: 90 hours from September to May, full-time in summer. Graduation rules are changing, with shorter job-seeking permits for applications from 1 October 2026.

Facts checked on official websites on October 31, 2026

Why international students choose Denmark

Denmark is a small country with clear, published rules for international students. The immigration service, SIRI, sets out exactly how much money you need and how many hours you can work, and its universities hold a share of government scholarships for students from outside Europe. Be aware, though, that the rules on staying after graduation are tightening for applications made from 1 October 2026.

What it costs

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, exchange students and certain long-term residents study free. All other students must pay tuition (Study in Denmark). For full-degree programmes, Study in Denmark gives a range of €6,000 to €16,000 a year (DKK 45,000 to 120,000), depending on the institution.

Study in Denmark also gives a rough monthly budget to give an idea of average expenses (Study in Denmark):

Rent: DKK 3,000 to 6,500, usually including utilities
Food: DKK 2,000 to 3,500
Books and supplies: DKK 400 to 650
Insurance: about DKK 300
Transport: DKK 300
Other personal expenses: DKK 2,000

The student visa and proof of funds

Students from outside the EU/EEA apply to SIRI for a residence permit for higher education. You have sufficient funds if your disposable amount corresponds to DKK 7,426 a month (2026 level) (SIRI). For studies longer than a year you must document 12 months, a maximum of DKK 89,112. If you have already paid your first semester’s tuition, that is accepted as documentation of sufficient funds.

The application fee is DKK 3,060. Normal processing time is two months, or up to three if SIRI needs more information.

Working while you study

SIRI counts work by the month, not the week. On a state-approved programme you can work 90 hours a month during the normal study period from September to May, and full-time in June, July and August (SIRI).

One important exception: if you applied on or after 2 May 2025 for a programme that is not state-approved, you will not get a limited work permit and have no right to work (Turkish citizens covered by the EU-Turkey Association Agreement aside). Check your programme’s status before you apply.

After you graduate

Graduates usually receive a job seeking permit together with their residence permit. During it, the same work limits apply: 90 hours a month, full-time in summer. The length depends on when you applied (SIRI):

State-approved programme, applied before 1 October 2026: generally 6 months or 3 years
Academy profession, bachelor’s or master’s, applied on or after 1 October 2026: generally 6 months or 1 year
PhD: generally 3 years
Non-state-approved programme, applied before 2 May 2025: 6 months
Non-state-approved programme, applied on or after 2 May 2025: no job seeking permit

Scholarships for Denmark

Danish Government Scholarships are the main official scheme. Each year Danish higher education institutions receive a limited number for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, and the institutions select the recipients (Study in Denmark). A scholarship can be a full or partial tuition fee waiver, a grant towards living costs, or both.

To be eligible you must be enrolled in a full-degree programme and hold a time-limited Danish residence permit granted for education. Applicants to artistic higher education institutions are not eligible. There is no central application: ask the institution you want to attend.