Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University

Overview

The Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University are government-funded awards for talented international students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. The money comes from the Danish state, and Aarhus University administers the scholarships and decides who receives them. They help non-EU/EEA master's applicants who are liable for tuition fees afford a degree at one of Denmark's largest universities.

What you receive depends on your faculty. At the Faculty of Arts and Aarhus BSS, the scholarship is a tuition fee waiver plus a monthly grant towards living expenses. At the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technical Sciences, it is a tuition fee waiver only, with no living grant. The exact shape of the award reflects each faculty's funding and priorities.

The number of scholarships is deliberately small, often only one or two per programme, because Danish state funding is limited. There is no separate application. When you apply for admission to a master's programme, the university automatically considers you, and priority goes to applicants with excellent academic qualifications. That makes a strong academic record the main thing that sets candidates apart.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Danish State, administered by Aarhus University (government)
Host Country	Denmark
Degree Levels	Master's
Value	Tuition fee waiver; Arts and Aarhus BSS add a monthly living grant, Natural/Technical Sciences offer a waiver only
Number of Awards	Typically one or two per programme
Deadline	15 January (summer admission) or 15 September (winter admission)
Eligible Nationalities	Non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens liable for tuition
Official Website	Aarhus University Scholarships and Grants

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality and fee status

You must be a non-EU/EEA master's applicant who is liable for tuition fees. Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland cannot apply, as they are not charged tuition in the same way.

Admission

You need to apply to an Aarhus University master's programme by the relevant deadline. Your application for admission is also what puts you in the running for the scholarship.

Academic standard

Priority goes to applicants with excellent academic qualifications. Because only one or two scholarships are typically available per programme, a strong transcript is what makes the difference.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A full or partial tuition fee waiver, depending on your faculty and the specific award.
• At the Faculty of Arts and Aarhus BSS, a monthly grant towards living expenses, typically but not always for the duration of your master's degree.
• At the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technical Sciences, a tuition waiver only, with no living grant.

The living grant amount is not published and depends on the faculty and award. Check your programme's faculty for the specific package on offer.

How to Apply

1. Choose your master's programme. Select an Aarhus University master's programme and confirm you meet its admission requirements.
2. Confirm your fee status. Make sure you are a non-EU/EEA applicant who is liable for tuition, since EU/EEA/Swiss students cannot apply.
3. Apply for admission by the deadline. Submit your master's application by 15 January for summer admission or 15 September for winter admission.
4. Be automatically considered. When you apply, the university automatically assesses you for a Danish State Scholarship. There is no separate scholarship application.
5. Strengthen your academic case. Make sure your transcripts and supporting documents clearly show excellent academic qualifications, since priority is given on merit.
6. Wait for the outcome. The university selects recipients from among admitted applicants and informs you of the result.

Required Documents

• Completed master's admission application to Aarhus University.
• 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 and fee status.
• Any programme-specific documents such as a CV or motivation letter requested during admission.

Since there is no separate scholarship form, the admission documents you submit are what the university uses to assess you.

Key Dates & Deadlines

Intake	Application deadline
Summer admission	15 January
Winter admission	15 September

You are considered automatically when you apply by the relevant deadline. Programmes differ in which intakes they offer, so check whether your programme starts in summer or winter and apply by the matching date.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Apply by the 15 January or 15 September deadline that matches your programme's intake.
• Present clear, complete transcripts so your academic strength stands out against limited competition.
• Check which faculty runs your programme so you know whether a living grant is part of the award.
• Make your admission application as strong as possible, since it doubles as your scholarship case.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Searching for a separate scholarship form that does not exist.
• Assuming every faculty includes a living grant, when Natural and Technical Sciences offer a waiver only.
• Applying as an EU/EEA/Swiss student, who are not eligible.
• Missing the admission deadline, which is also the scholarship deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University?

Non-EU/EEA/Switzerland master's applicants who are liable for tuition fees. EU, EEA, and Swiss students cannot apply.

Do I need a separate application for the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University?

No. When you apply for admission to a master's programme, the university automatically considers you. There is no separate scholarship application.

What do the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University cover?

A tuition fee waiver, and at the Faculty of Arts and Aarhus BSS, a monthly grant towards living expenses. Natural and Technical Sciences offer a tuition waiver only.

How many Danish State Scholarships does Aarhus University award?

The number is limited, typically only one or two per programme, because Danish state funding is restricted.

What are the deadlines for the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University?

You are considered when you apply by 15 January for summer admission or 15 September for winter admission.

How are the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University selected?

Priority is given to applicants with excellent academic qualifications, assessed from your admission application.

Do the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University include living costs?

It depends on the faculty. Arts and Aarhus BSS add a monthly living grant, while Natural and Technical Sciences provide a tuition waiver only.

How much is the living grant from the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University?

The amount is not published and varies by faculty and award. Check your specific faculty for details.

Can EU or EEA students get the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University?

No. The scholarships are only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland students who are liable for tuition fees.

How long do the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University last?

Where a living grant is included, it is typically but not always for the duration of your master's degree. The tuition waiver applies to your studies as set out by the faculty.

What documents do I need for the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University?

The same documents as your master's admission application, including transcripts, your degree certificate, proof of English proficiency, and proof of nationality and fee status.

When will I find out about the Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University?

The university selects recipients from among admitted applicants after the admission deadline and informs you of the outcome.