Denmark located in Northern Europe is considered one of the most popular international study destinations in Europe. Because of its low study costs, innovative teaching methods, standard of living and variety of subject options Denmark is one of the prime choice of study destinations in Europe for Indian students. With home to popular universities such as Copenhagen University, Aarhus University, and University of Southern Denmark among many others, Denmark is one of the prime choices for students in Europe.
Education in Denmark is free for students coming from the EU/EEA area and Switzerland, as well as for students participating in the exchange programme. It is also free for students who have a temporary or permanent residence permit. The average university costs from 6000 EUR to 16000 EUR, depending on the university or college you choose.
Denmark is slowly becoming an appealing study-abroad destination for international students with five of its universities being featured in the QS World University Ranking.
This article will help you navigate through the complete cost of studying in Denmark and help you choose Europe’s most eminent study destination for your career.
Cost of Studying in Demark for International Students
The cost of studying in Denmark for international students varies on different factors such as tuition fees of different universities and colleges, accommodation, commuting and transportation and various other factors. Below is the breakdown of all costs:
- Cost of study in Denmark
- Living expenses
- Other miscellaneous costs
Now let us discuss each component in detail.
Cost of study in Denmark
Tuition fees are one of the most important factors that affect the cost of study in Denmark for Indian students. Tuition fees of universities in Denmark may vary for international students depending upon different colleges and universities. However, the average tuition fees for universities cost from 10000 EUR to 20000 EUR per annum depending on the programme. However, Denmark offers free education for EU/EEA students, students from Switzerland and permanent residents. The cheapest universities cost around €6000 to € 9000 per year again depending on the program. Bachelor’s degrees in Denmark are cheaper than Master’s degrees.
A few universities in Denmark along with their tuition fees are mentioned below:
| University | Tuition Fees |
| Aalborg University | 14000 EUR |
| Aarhus University | 8000 EUR to 15000 EUR |
| Copenhagen Business School | 15000 EUR |
| Technical University of Denmark | 6500 EUR to 17000 EUR |
| The University of Southern | 15000 EUR |
| Denmark |
Denmark
Apart from these, there are other cheap universities as well which offer bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
Tuition costs can be reduced by availing of financial aid provided by various universities and the Denmark government. Many scholarships are available for Indian students in Denmark. Some of them are:
- Danish State Scholarship:
- For international students who want to pursue undergraduate, graduation, Master’s or doctoral degrees.
- Organized by Aarhus University
- Available for students pursuing courses like environmental studies, architectural design, and other related fields
- Covers tuition fees.
2. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
- For international students of any field
- Available at all universities
- Covers tuition fees living expenses and travel expenses
- A monthly stipend of 1000 EUR is also provided.
3. Denmark-India innovation challenge for Indian student
- For Indian students only.
- Available study programs include natural sciences, engineering, arts and design
- A stipend of 160,000 will be provided to cover the costs.
4. Copenhagen Business School Scholarships for International students
- For students pursuing graduation or under graduation in the areas of Business economics or modern language
- Covers living costs, tuition and other related costs.
- Available at Copenhagen Business School
5. Technical University of Denmark Scholarships for International students
- Organized by Denmark Technical University
- Available for all programs
- Covers tuition fees and other expenses.
Apart from these scholarships, many other Scholarships are provided by universities in Denmark that provide financial aid to students. You can choose from any of these based on your course program and qualifications.
Living Expenses in Denmark
The living expenses in Denmark include accommodation, transportation, grocery and other miscellaneous expenses. The expense varies from person to person depending on their standards of living and the city you’re living in. For example, living in Copenhagen is more expensive than other cities. However, the average living expenses in Denmark range between 1500 EUR to 2000 EUR.
Let us discuss the overall living expenses briefly:
Accommodation Cost
It is estimated that accommodation may cover one-third of the total cost of studying in Denmark. Most cities in Denmark cost around 400-700EUR per month. Copenhagen is considered to be a costly city therefore accommodation there can cost around 800-900 EUR/month. Universities in Denmark do have accommodation facilities, however, getting student accommodation from the university is not always easy so you have to rent a place from a private landowner.
Some average accommodation costs for students living in shared apartments or alone are:
| Living Arrangement | Monthly Cost (EUR) |
| Students living alone | 440 |
| Students living with partner/children | 460 |
| Students halls of residence | 250 – 350 |
Food and meals
The average food expense in Denmark amounts to 200-270EUR /month depending on your eating habits. If you are someone who likes to spend extravagantly on food may cost you around 500-600 EUR/month. Grocery shopping at supermarkets that provide discounts such as Bika, Lidl Netto etc can help you save a lot of money on food and meals. Dining in a restaurant or a diner may cost you 30-40 EUR per person.
Transportation
Denmark is also known as the bicycle heaven as 50% of students use bikes to get to their university. Students can be seen riding a rented bicycle around cities and University campuses. You can purchase a second-hand bike with 50-135 EUR, depending on its condition 30% of students rely on public transportation. Monthly public transport passes can amount to 30-50 EUR per month.
Stationery Supplies
Stationary supplies usually cost around 30-65 EUR per month.
Other essential expenses
Apart from these expenses, other costs need to be taken into consideration as well. Some of these essential expenses include:
Visa fees
Processing fees for a residence permit or a student visa to study in Denmark costs around 255-300 EUR. You will also be required to submit proof of funds with a minimum of EUR 1000 (91000 INR) in your bank account.
Health insurance charges
As an international student, en ou should also be able to pay health insurance charges that cost around 20EUR per month.
Social activities
On average a student spends around 120-170 EUR/month on social activities.
Pre-arrival and Post-arrival costs.
Pre-arrival costs:
This consists of amounts you have to pay for visa application, health insurance, application fees, language requirements etc. The pre-arrival costs include:
| Expenses | Cost (in EUR) |
| Proof of Funds | 1,000 |
| Processing Fee for Residence Permit | 2,000 |
| Residence Permit | 255 |
| Health Insurance | 20/ month |
| Application Fee | 30-50 |
| Danish Proficiency Proof | 115 |
| English Proficiency Proof (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) | 200-250 |
Post Arrival Costs:
Post-arrival cost consists of student fees, accommodation and other expenses. It includes:
| Expenses | Cost Range (in EUR) |
| University fees in Denmark | 6,000 – 16,000 per year |
| Accommodation | 240 – 460 per month |
| Books and Supplies | 30 – 65 |
| Food | 200 – 270 per month |
| Transport pass | 40 – 50 |
| Social activities | 120 – 175 |
This is an average overview of the post-arrival cost. These expenses may vary depending on person to person.
Conclusion
To conclude, the cost of study in Denmark for Indian students is quite affordable. With the help of many Scholarships that are available to aid the cost of study, it can be said that education in Denmark is cheaper than other European study destinations.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
