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Updated July 22, 2026
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Finding money for tuition and everyday costs is the practical problem you need solved right now – eligibility rules differ by nationality, and choosing the wrong loan or job can waste months. Below are four realistic funding routes, what you must check first, and the exact next actions to take for each.
- Tuition: usually free for EU/EEA/Swiss students and many permanent residents; non-EU tuition typically ranges DKK45,000-120,000/year.
- Living costs: plan roughly DKK4,500-7,500/month depending on city and housing type.
- Main funding routes: SU (state support), scholarships, student loans, part-time work or internships.
- Work rules differ for EU/EEA and non-EU students – check visa/work permit requirements before accepting paid work.
Cost of University Education
Tuition policy in Denmark separates students by residence and nationality. If you have EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship or permanent residence, most bachelor and master programmes are tuition-free; PhD students are generally employed and paid by the university. Non-EU/EEA students are usually charged tuition fees – many programmes list fees between DKK45,000 and DKK120,000 a year, but fees vary significantly by field and institution.
Action: before you accept an offer, open the university’s tuition and fee page and note application deadlines, deposit rules, and scholarship deadlines. If anything is unclear, email the international office and request written confirmation of the fee and any mandatory student contributions.
Cost of Living
Rent is the biggest monthly expense: Copenhagen and Aarhus are the priciest. A practical student budget includes rent, food, transport, utilities and study materials; DKK4,500-7,500/month is typical but depends on whether you live in a kollegium, shared flat or studio. For a detailed breakdown of what pushes prices up, see our piece on the cost of living in Denmark.
Action: make a city-specific budget now – list rent options you can afford, add DKK1,000-1,500 for food/medicine and DKK300-600 for transport, and compare against expected funding below.
1. Public Support (SU)
SU (Statens Uddannelsesstøtte) is the main state grant for Danish and many EU/EEA students; some internationals qualify under residence or bilateral agreement rules. SU is a monthly grant (not all of it needs to be repaid) and can include an optional low-interest SU loan. Eligibility depends on citizenship, residence status, study level and programme.
- Check your eligibility on borger.dk and with your university international office – residency and work history often matter.
- Collect required documents (ID, acceptance letter, residence papers) before applying.
- Apply via borger.dk or the student support portal your university directs you to; you will need MitID or a secure login.
- Passport or national ID and proof of address (or residence permit)
- University acceptance letter/ enrolment confirmation
- Bank account details where payments can be made
- Previous education transcripts, if requested
Important: SU carries study progression rules and some SU products (the SU loan) must be repaid. Read the conditions carefully before you accept funds – see our detailed guide to the SU loan for repayment options and long-term costs.
Action: if you think you may qualify, apply for SU as soon as you are enrolled – delays can cost you months of support.
2. Scholarships
Scholarships are available from universities, foundations, government programmes and international mobility funds (Erasmus, Nordplus, Fulbright and country-specific schemes). Some cover tuition only, some offer living stipends; deadlines and eligibility are program-specific and often competitive.
- Start with your university’s international office and the departmental contact – many institution-level scholarships are only advertised internally.
- Search national foundations and industry-specific funds – applications often require a research plan or strong academic references.
- If you are coming on exchange, check Erasmus/Nordplus and your home university’s mobility office for guaranteed grants.
Tip: for master’s or PhD funding, reach out to potential supervisors. Many research projects include stipends or paid positions that aren’t publicly listed.
Action: make a scholarship calendar with application deadlines and required documents; start early on motivation letters and reference requests.
3. Student Loans
Loans are the fast route to cash but come with long-term costs. Options include the state-backed SU loan (for those eligible) and commercial bank loans or overdrafts. SU loan terms are generally more favourable than private loans; commercial loans vary by bank, interest and collateral requirements.
Warning: Private loans and high-interest credit can create serious debt if you graduate without a stable income. Compare APR, repayment holidays, and whether the loan affects your residence status or welfare eligibility.
Action: if considering a loan, get written quotes from banks and compare them to the SU loan terms. If you’re an international student, also compare loan options from your home country.
4. Student Job
Working during your studies is the most common way to cover living costs. EU/EEA students can work without a permit; non-EU/EEA students usually have work restrictions tied to their residence permit – check the rules for your situation on the official pages or our guide to the work permit in Denmark.
- Common student jobs: retail, hospitality, tutoring, research assistantships and internships tied to your study programme.
- Wages depend on sector and city – look up local rates and collective agreements and read about minimum wage Denmark expectations.
- Internships and student jobs related to your field often pay better and strengthen your CV – our guide to internships in Denmark explains how to find and apply for them.
Tip: employers often prefer candidates with a basic understanding of Danish; use language apps and short courses to boost your chances.
Action: update a Danish-style CV, register on local job portals, and apply to campus jobs and departmental positions early in the semester.
Bonus idea
Freelancing, remote work and small-scale entrepreneurship can top up your income if your visa allows it. Universities sometimes offer entrepreneurship grants or incubation support – ask your career or innovation office about local schemes.
Be careful: not all residence permits allow self-employment or freelancing. Confirm permissions with the Immigration Service before taking clients.
Check your SU eligibility and the tuition fee for your programme – then email your university international office with questions about scholarships and work rights. That single step tells you which of the four routes is realistic for you and sets the rest in motion.