From cutting-edge research to practical, career-focused training, Denmark's universities, specialised university colleges, and professional academies offer Bachelors, Masters, and PhD programmes designed to suit every interest and ambition
Denmark is one of the Nordic countries in northern Europe, with a population of nearly six million people. The country is renowned for academic excellence and is increasingly popular among international students. Although a growing number of courses are taught in English, studying in Denmark also provides an opportunity to learn Danish and immerse yourself in Scandinavian culture.
Living costs in Denmark can be high - especially in larger cities like Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense - which can be challenging on a student budget. However, high‑quality public services such as free healthcare and an efficient transport system help to offset some financial pressures.
During your free time, you can visit famous landmarks and attractions such as Tivoli Gardens (in Copenhagen), LEGO House (in Billund - Denmark is the homeland of LEGO), and the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (in Odense). Denmark also has many castles and palaces to explore, fitting for the land that inspired many fairy tales.
Universities in Denmark
In Denmark, there are three main types of higher education institutions:
- Universities - Offer traditional Bachelors, Masters, and PhDs across a range of subjects, from psychology to zoology. Denmark has eight recognised universities.
- University colleges - Provide vocational and professional courses in fields such as nursing, engineering, social work, and education. These colleges often collaborate closely with industry and universities, giving students access to placements and employment opportunities.
- Academies of professional higher education - Include artistic institutions, maritime training schools, business academies, and other specialised providers.
A full list of these institutions and their locations can be found at Study in Denmark - Higher education institutions.
Five Danish universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2026:
- University of Copenhagen (101)
- Technical University of Denmark (107)
- Aarhus University (131)
- University of Southern Denmark (303)
- Aalborg University (306).
The academic year runs from September to June, with exams taking place in January and June.
You won't need to be fluent in Danish, the country's official language, to study in Denmark - the country offers more than 600 degree programmes taught entirely in English.
Degree courses in Denmark
There are two types of undergraduate qualifications available:
- Professional Bachelors degrees - These are offered by university colleges, typically take three to four and a half years, and combine classroom learning with work placements and a final project. They are designed to prepare you directly for specific professions.
- University Bachelors degrees - These are academic programmes that generally take three years and focus on research‑based teaching in one or two subject areas, preparing you for the world of work or postgraduate study.
If you want to apply for an undergraduate course in Denmark, you can do so through optagelse.dk. Here, you can apply for up to eight courses per cycle and list institutions in order of preference. The deadline for applications is 15 March for start dates in the following August or September.
To qualify for admission, you'll typically need an entrance qualification comparable to a Danish upper secondary school leaving certificate and proof of English proficiency.
Search for Bachelors courses at Study in Denmark - Find your study programme.
Masters degrees
Masters degrees in Denmark - often called Candidatus degrees - usually take one to two years and cover a range of subjects. Masters study involves:
- lectures
- research
- seminars
- thesis or practical project.
Applications for Masters programmes are usually made directly to the institution via their websites. While deadlines vary by university, EU/EEA/Swiss applicants typically apply by March for autumn entry, while international applicants may need to apply earlier.
To be eligible, you must hold a recognised Bachelors degree. Some programmes may have additional requirements, so it’s important to check specific entry criteria before applying.
Search for a Masters at Study in Denmark - Find your study programme.
PhDs
In Denmark, PhD studies are structured as three‑year paid research positions, combining independent research with teaching duties, participation in research networks, and other academic activities.
To be eligible for a PhD, you must hold a qualification equivalent to a Danish Masters degree, which includes Masters degrees from recognised UK and international universities.
Student exchanges
The UK government runs the Turing Scheme for students looking to secure overseas placements and study abroad at an overseas university for the 2025/26 academic year.
Check that your institution is involved in the programme and offers the Turing Scheme in Denmark.
Course fees
If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, or enrolled in an approved Danish exchange programme, you are exempt from tuition fees for Bachelors and Masters degrees.
You may also be exempt if you hold a permanent residence permit in Denmark, a long‑term/continuous permit, or if one of your parents works in Denmark under certain conditions.
Students who don't meet these criteria, including most UK students, must pay tuition fees. Fees vary by institution but are generally lower than in the UK, typically ranging from DKK 44,000-DKK 119,000 per year (£5,000-£13,500).
It's important to note that even if you are eligible for free tuition, the cost of living in Denmark is higher than what you may be used to. Make sure you've budgeted and can cover the costs of food, accommodation and course materials - see Study in Denmark - Bank & Budget for a rough guide of how much living in Denmark will cost.
Funding to study in Denmark
Even if free tuition isn't available, there are many funding options for students. For example, American postgraduate students can apply for Fulbright Commission grants to cover tuition fees for a year.
The Danish government also offers scholarships to international students pursuing full degrees.
Find more resources at Study in Denmark - Scholarships.
Student visas
If you are a non‑EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you must obtain a residence permit to study in Denmark if your stay is longer than 90 days. You must apply before traveling to Denmark, as processing can take two to three months or longer depending on your nationality and programme.
Some nationalities, including UK citizens, can enter Denmark visa‑free for short courses. If your nationality requires a visa, you must apply for a short‑stay visa (Schengen type C).
Documents generally required for a long‑stay study residence permit include:
- valid passport and passport photo
- acceptance letter from your Danish institution
- proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses
- proof of travel and health insurance
- any additional supporting documents required by Danish immigration authorities.
You can expect to pay an application fee of around DKK 2,255 (£260) but this may vary by programme and nationality.
Citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland do not need a visa to study in Denmark. If your stay is longer than 90 days, you must register for a Danish EU residence document after arrival. You’ll typically need:
- passport
- passport photo
- letter of admission from your institution.
This registration confirms your right to live and study in Denmark for the duration of your programme.
For more information on Danish visas, see New to Denmark.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate programme in Denmark, you'll need to provide evidence of previous education, including:
- copies of your academic transcripts and Bachelors certificate
- a photocopy of your passport
- a CV
- proof of your proficiency in the language your course is taught in.
Be sure to apply as early as possible and check with your institution for specific application deadlines.
Language requirements
To be accepted onto a higher education course in Denmark, you'll need to prove your proficiency in English. You can do this by passing one of the approved examinations, such as:
Individual institutions specify their own pass rates for these exams. Native English speakers are exempt from test requirements. If you wish to study in Danish, you'll need to prove your proficiency by passing the Study Test in Danish as a Second Language.
Visit Studieskolen - Learn Danish for more information.
As an international student enrolled in an English-speaking programme, you'll have the opportunity to learn Danish for free alongside your studies.
Comparison to UK qualifications
Denmark is part of the Bologna Process, which means that undergraduate and postgraduate study completed in Denmark will be equivalent to qualifications gained in the UK.
Find out more
- Discover what it's like to work in Denmark.
- For a deeper insight, see Study in Denmark's International Students' Survival Guide to Life in Denmark.