Step 1 of 10
Understand Why Students Choose Denmark
Denmark offers free EU tuition, 500+ English-taught programs, a famously practical and collaborative teaching style, and a very high quality of life — plus a strong innovation economy in Copenhagen and beyond.
500+ English programs — study without Danish
Problem-based learning — hands-on style
Quality of life — among the world’s best
How to help: Weigh Denmark’s teaching style and quality of life against non-EU tuition and high living costs — it’s a strong pick for hands-on, collaborative learners.
Good to know: Denmark’s problem-based, group-oriented teaching (pioneered at Aalborg) is distinctive — great for applied, collaborative learners.
Step 2 of 10
Understand the System
Denmark has eight public universities, six of which dominate international applications — Copenhagen (medicine, life sciences), DTU (engineering), Aarhus, CBS (business), SDU, and Aalborg (problem-based learning). Degrees follow the European structure.
8 universities — 6 dominate for internationals
DTU / CBS / Aalborg — engineering / business / PBL
3+2 — European structure
How to help: Choose among Denmark’s eight universities by field — DTU for engineering, CBS for business, Copenhagen for medicine/science, Aalborg for problem-based learning.
Good to know: Denmark’s universities have clear specialties — match your field to the right one.
Step 3 of 10
Apply Through optagelse.dk
Most applications run through the national portal optagelse.dk (some master’s use university portals). The main international deadline is 15 January. Bachelor entry is grade-based (Quota 1) or holistic (Quota 2).
optagelse.dk — the national portal
15 January — main deadline
Quota 1 / 2 — grades / holistic
How to help: Apply via optagelse.dk (or the university portal for some master’s) by 15 January, and understand whether your program uses Quota 1 (grades) or Quota 2 (holistic).
Watch out: The 15 January international deadline is firm — prepare documents and English scores well ahead.
Step 4 of 10
Get the Residence Permit via SIRI
Denmark doesn’t issue a “student visa” in the usual sense. Non-EU/EEA students get a residence permit for studies via SIRI (the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration), applied for at newtodenmark.dk after admission, before arrival.
SIRI — processes the permit
newtodenmark.dk — apply here
Before arrival — after admission
How to help: Apply for your residence permit via SIRI at newtodenmark.dk once admitted — create a case-order ID, pay the fee, and apply early, as processing takes about 1–2 months.
Good to know: It’s a residence permit, not a visa — and universities often release the documents SIRI needs only after your first tuition payment clears.
Step 5 of 10
Plan for Tuition & Funding
EU/EEA/Swiss students study tuition-free. Non-EU students pay institutional fees, typically €6,000–16,000/year (DKK ~45,000–120,000). Scholarships for non-EU students are limited and merit-based, managed by the universities.
EU — free tuition
Non-EU — ~€6k–16k/yr
Scholarships — limited, merit-based
How to help: Budget the non-EU tuition plus (high) living costs, and apply for the limited merit-based scholarships your university offers — they’re competitive.
Good to know: Non-EU scholarships in Denmark are limited — apply early, and budget realistically for Danish living costs.
Step 6 of 10
Meet the Financial Requirement
For the permit you must show funds — recently about €950/month (~DKK 7,000), up to a maximum of 12 months. In some cases, paying your first semester’s tuition can satisfy the self-support requirement.
Funds — ~DKK 7,000/month
Max 12 months — of proof
Tuition paid — may satisfy it
How to help: Prepare proof of funds at the current monthly amount (or rely on paid tuition where accepted), and confirm exactly what your university and SIRI require.
Watch out: If you’ve paid your first semester’s tuition, you may not need separate funds proof — confirm with your university and SIRI.
Step 7 of 10
Meet Language Requirements
Many programs (especially master’s) are taught in English (requiring IELTS ~6.5 or equivalent); Danish-taught programs require Danish (Studieprøven). Most Danes speak excellent English, so daily life is manageable in English.
English — IELTS ~6.5
Danish-taught — Studieprøven
English-friendly — most Danes speak it
How to help: Take the right test for your program’s language (IELTS ~6.5 for English programs), and learn some Danish for deeper integration and work.
Good to know: You can study and live in English, but some Danish helps with jobs and community.
Step 8 of 10
Get Your CPR Number
After arriving, getting a CPR number (personal registration number) is essential — it unlocks healthcare (the yellow health card), banking, and MitID (digital ID). Register at the local Citizen Service (Borgerservice) promptly (often within days).
CPR number — the key to everything
Yellow card — free healthcare
Register — promptly on arrival
How to help: Register for your CPR number right after arrival — it’s the gateway to free healthcare, a bank account, and digital ID, and little works without it.
Watch out: Without a CPR number you can’t get a bank account, health card, or phone contract — make it your first task.
Step 9 of 10
Understand Work Rules
Non-EU/EEA students may work up to 20 hours per week during term (and full-time in June–August). Staying within the limit matters — exceeding it can jeopardize your residence permit.
Work — 20 hrs/week in term
Full-time — June–August
Stay within — protect your permit
How to help: Work within the 20-hour weekly limit during term (full-time in summer), and track your hours carefully — exceeding the cap risks your permit.
Watch out: Exceeding the 20-hour limit can put your residence permit at risk — keep careful track.
Step 10 of 10
Thrive & Work After Study
After graduating, options to stay and work include an establishment card / job-search period, giving time to find qualified employment. Denmark’s strong sectors (life sciences, engineering, design, IT) offer real career pathways.
Establishment card — post-study job search
Strong sectors — life sciences, engineering, IT
Community — get involved
How to help: Plan for the post-study job-search/establishment options, build networks during your studies, and target Denmark’s strong sectors if you want to stay.
Good to know: Denmark offers post-study stay options to find work — confirm the current scheme and conditions, which can change.
Quick Reference
Studying in Denmark: The Essentials
A snapshot — figures change, so confirm everything with SIRI (newtodenmark.dk), Study in Denmark, and your university.
- The systemEight public universities (Copenhagen, DTU, Aarhus, CBS, SDU, Aalborg and more); 500+ English-taught programs (strongest at master’s); problem-based learning at Aalborg.
- ApplyingVia the national portal optagelse.dk (some master’s via university portals); main international deadline 15 January; bachelor entry Quota 1 (grades) or Quota 2 (holistic).
- The permitNon-EU/EEA students get a residence permit for studies via SIRI (newtodenmark.dk), applied for after admission and before arrival; processing ~1–2 months.
- Money & CPREU pay no tuition; non-EU pay ~€6k–16k/year; prove funds (~DKK 7,000/month, or paid tuition); get a CPR number on arrival for healthcare, banking, and digital ID.
- Work & afterWork up to 20 hrs/week in term (full-time June–August); post-study establishment/job-search options allow time to find work.
Official & Trusted Sources
Where to learn more
About this guide. This guide is a general, plain-language overview compiled by K12 Academics, current as of 2025–26, and is not legal or immigration advice. Danish rules, fees, and the funds requirement change; confirm all details with SIRI (newtodenmark.dk), Study in Denmark, and your university.
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