Study in Denmark
Project-based teaching and an orderly system; without the right timetable even a good file arrives late.
Denmark's strength is applied learning and transparent programme information. For an applicant from outside the EU the real decision is to weigh up together whether the programme is state-approved, what the total tuition is and which rights come with the residence permit.
Last verified: 19 September 2026Official source links are listed at the end of the page.
- Undergraduate
- optagelse.dk
- International deadline
- 15 March, 12:00 CET
- Language of instruction
- Danish or English
- Work
- Limited, on an eligible programme
Who Denmark suits best
- Applicants who want applied, team-based teaching
- Undergraduate applicants who can prepare early for the March timetable
- Applicants who plan tuition on an annual total
- Applicants who check a programme's official approval status
Make this decision first
In Denmark the first filter is not the city but the programme's language and approval status. The number of English-taught programmes varies by level. Undergraduate applicants should check with the target institution how their diploma type is assessed in the Danish admission system.
| Undergraduate application | Through optagelse.dk |
|---|---|
| International diploma | Usually a deadline of 15 March, 12:00 CET |
| Fee range | Roughly EUR 6,000–16,000 per year for non-EU/EEA students |
| Choice of institution | A programme's state-approved status affects the visa and work rights |
Students applying on or after 2 May 2025 to certain programmes that are not state-approved may not receive work permission. Check the programme by its official status, not just the school's name.
Does this country fit your profile
Rather than comparing grades one by one, let us assess them together with your educational background, language level and budget.
Assess My ProfileHow the application proceeds
An undergraduate application with an international secondary school diploma is made through the central optagelse.dk system. Applicants can rank several choices in order of preference. Institutions may request additional documents, a course level or language evidence.
Postgraduate applications run through the universities' own portals. The programme's academic prerequisites are matched against your previous undergraduate course content; the name of the degree alone may not be enough.
- Check the language of the programme and the academic prerequisites
- Confirm with the target institution how your diploma will be assessed
- Plan language and document work backwards from the 15 March undergraduate timetable
- At postgraduate level, record each university's own date
Reading the budget correctly
Study in Denmark gives annual tuition for full-time students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland as generally EUR 6,000–16,000. The exact amount is set by the institution.
The budget must also include the accommodation deposit, first-month expenses, transport and the residence permit application. Scholarships are assessed institution by institution and are not applied automatically to every programme.
Do not read the range as a quotation. The official fee page, payment schedule and refund terms of your chosen programme are what count.
Visa, residence and work
Students from outside the EU/EEA apply for a student residence permit after admission to an approved higher education programme. Admission, language of instruction and maintenance conditions are assessed together.
On eligible state-approved higher education programmes, student work permission may allow 90 hours per month from September to May and full-time work from June to August.
| September–May | Up to 90 hours per month |
|---|---|
| June–August | Full-time work may be possible |
| Programme status | The state-approved programme condition is critical |
| Binding document | The work condition printed on the residence card |
What a strong file should demonstrate
A Denmark application becomes simpler once the timetable and course matching are set up correctly.
- A clear match between the courses the programme requires and your transcript
- Language evidence and deadlines shown on a single timetable
- Separate calculation of annual tuition and the living budget
- Confirmation of the programme's state approval and its eligibility for a student residence permit
InterAX brings the programme shortlist, the application timetable, document organisation and the post-admission steps into a single plan. No admission or visa is guaranteed; every decision is made by the relevant authority.
Not sure where to begin?
In the first assessment let us identify the right programme type, the critical dates and the gaps in your file together.
Start the pre-assessmentFrequently asked questions
When is the Danish undergraduate application?
For applications with an international or non-Danish secondary school diploma, the general deadline is 15 March at 12:00 CET. The programme page must also be checked.
Is university in Denmark fee-paying?
Students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland usually pay fees. The official general range is EUR 6,000–16,000 per year; the exact amount is set by the institution.
Are there English-taught programmes?
Yes, English-taught programmes exist particularly at postgraduate level. Undergraduate options can be more limited.
Is working while studying possible?
On an eligible state-approved programme, 90 hours per month may be permitted from September to May and full-time work in the summer. Your residence decision is binding.
Is the postgraduate application made through optagelse.dk?
Usually not. Postgraduate applications are made through the university's own system.
Does admission guarantee a visa?
No. Admission is one condition of the residence application; financial means and other immigration conditions are assessed separately.
Related programmes
Sources
- Study in Denmark — The undergraduate application channel and dates
- Study in Denmark — Tuition and the structure of funding
- Study in Denmark — The basic conditions of the student residence permit
- New to Denmark / SIRI — Student work permission