Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen

Overview

The Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen is a state-funded award for international students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. The money comes from the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, and the University of Copenhagen administers it and decides who receives it. It exists to help talented non-EU/EEA students afford a master's degree at one of Denmark's leading universities.

The scholarship is awarded purely on academic achievement. There is no separate application and no financial-need assessment. Every eligible non-EU/EEA applicant who is admitted to a master's programme is automatically considered, and the strongest applicants are nominated through the application portal. The exact value depends on the faculty and the funding available in a given year.

Coverage can take the form of a full or partial tuition fee waiver, a grant towards living costs, or a combination of the two. Because each faculty manages its own allocation, the number of awards and the exact package vary. Some faculties offer only a small number of scholarships each year, so it is a competitive award that rewards a consistently strong academic record.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, administered by the University of Copenhagen (government)
Host Country	Denmark
Degree Levels	Master's (MA/MSc)
Value	Full or partial tuition fee waiver and/or a grant towards living costs; varies by faculty
Deadline	Tied to the master's admission deadline; no separate scholarship deadline
Eligible Nationalities	Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
Official Website	University of Copenhagen Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality and residence

You must be a citizen of a country outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. You also need to be granted a time-limited residence permit to study in Denmark.

Admission

You must be admitted to a master's programme at the University of Copenhagen. Consideration for the scholarship follows from your admission application, so a successful admission is the starting point.

Who cannot receive it

You are not eligible if you hold legal rights as a Danish citizen, if you qualify for Denmark's State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme (SU), or if you hold certain residence permits under Danish Aliens law as a dependent of a foreign citizen.

Academic standard

The award is based solely on academic achievement, and faculties set high bars. As an example, the Faculty of Science looks for grades near the top of the bachelor's degree, and some faculties award only two or three scholarships a year, so a strong transcript matters.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A full or partial waiver of your tuition fees, depending on the faculty and funding.
• A grant towards basic living expenses in some cases, which at the Faculty of Science has typically run for around 22 months.
• A combination of a tuition waiver and a living grant for some recipients.

Living-expense grants are taxed under Danish law, though some nationalities may qualify for an exemption. The exact package depends on the faculty you apply to and how much funding is available that year.

How to Apply

1. Choose your master's programme. Select a University of Copenhagen master's programme and confirm you meet its admission requirements.
2. Check your eligibility. Make sure you are a non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen who would need a time-limited study residence permit and who is not eligible for SU.
3. Submit your admission application. Apply for admission through the university's application portal by the programme deadline. There is no separate scholarship form.
4. Be automatically considered. All eligible non-EU/EEA admitted applicants are automatically assessed for the scholarship on academic merit.
5. Watch the portal. Nominations and offers are communicated through the application portal, so check it and respond by any stated deadline.
6. Accept on time. If you are offered the scholarship, accept it within the deadline given, or the offer can be revoked.

Required Documents

• Completed master's admission application through the university portal.
• Bachelor's degree certificate and full academic transcripts.
• Proof of English language proficiency as required by your programme.
• A copy of your passport or proof of nationality.
• Any programme-specific documents such as a motivation letter or CV requested during admission.

Because the scholarship has no separate form, the documents you submit for admission are what the university uses to assess you.

Key Dates & Deadlines

There is no separate scholarship application or deadline. Your consideration is tied to the master's admission deadline for your programme, so apply by that date to be assessed. Scholarship decisions generally come after admission offers are made, and any acceptance must meet the deadline stated in your offer or it can be withdrawn. Deadlines vary by programme and by whether you apply in the EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA round, so check your specific programme page each year.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Submit a complete admission application well before the deadline, since the same file is used for scholarship assessment.
• Present clear, well-documented transcripts so your academic standing is easy to judge.
• Aim for grades near the top of your cohort, as faculties select on academic merit alone.
• Check the application portal regularly so you do not miss a nomination or an acceptance deadline.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Looking for a separate scholarship form that does not exist.
• Assuming financial need is considered, when selection is purely academic.
• Missing the acceptance deadline in your offer, which can cause it to be revoked.
• Overlooking that you must be a non-EU/EEA citizen who is not eligible for SU.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen?

Citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who are admitted to a University of Copenhagen master's programme and who need a time-limited study residence permit.

Do I need a separate application for the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen?

No. All eligible non-EU/EEA admitted applicants are automatically considered through their admission application. There is no separate scholarship form.

What does the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen cover?

It can cover a full or partial tuition fee waiver, a grant towards living costs, or a combination, depending on the faculty and available funding.

How is the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen awarded?

It is awarded solely on academic achievement. Financial need is not considered.

What is the deadline for the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen?

There is no separate deadline. It is tied to the master's admission deadline for your programme, so apply by that date.

Can EU students apply for the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen?

No. The scholarship is only for citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.

Is the living grant from the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen taxed?

Living-expense grants are taxed under Danish law, though some nationalities may qualify for an exemption.

How many Danish Government Scholarships does the University of Copenhagen award?

The number varies by faculty and funding. Some faculties, such as Social Sciences, award only two or three scholarships a year.

Can I keep the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen for the second year?

Some faculties offer continuation funding for fee-paying students who excel in their first year. The Faculty of Science, for example, requires passing a set number of ECTS and exceptional grades.

Who is not eligible for the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen?

You are not eligible if you hold rights as a Danish citizen, qualify for SU, or hold certain dependent residence permits under Danish Aliens law.

How will I be told if I receive the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen?

Nominations and offers are communicated through the application portal, usually after admission offers. Check the portal and respond by the deadline given.

Does the Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen require a residence permit?

Yes. You need to be granted a time-limited residence permit to study in Denmark as part of eligibility.