DTU Tuition Fee Waiver

Overview

The DTU Tuition Fee Waiver is a merit-based award from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), one of Europe's leading engineering and technical universities. If you are a non-EU/EEA student who has to pay tuition for a two-year MSc at DTU, the waiver can cover that tuition entirely, removing the single largest cost of studying in Denmark.

DTU funds the waivers itself and grants them to a limited number of outstanding applicants each year. The award is tied directly to admission: you are considered only after you apply for an MSc programme and submit a separate statement saying you want the waiver. There is no standalone scholarship portal, and the university makes the final decision once it has assessed your academic record against the rest of the applicant pool.

This matters because DTU tuition for non-EU/EEA students runs at roughly EUR 7,500 per semester, so across a two-year master's the waiver is worth a substantial sum. For students who can cover their own living costs but cannot pay international tuition, the waiver can be the difference between studying at DTU and not coming at all.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

The waiver is competitive and merit-based. DTU assesses your grades or GPA, the ranking of the university where you took your bachelor's degree, and any research, publications, work experience, teaching or competition awards. Strong academic performance at bachelor's level is the core of a successful case.

Nationality Requirements

You must be a non-EU/EEA applicant who is liable for tuition at DTU. EU/EEA students study tuition-free in Denmark and so are not part of this scheme. Non-EU/EEA students who hold a qualifying degree from a Danish institution still need to meet the same deadline to be considered.

Programme & Intake Requirements

You need to be applying for a two-year MSc starting in the Autumn intake. The waiver is not offered for the Spring intake. It is granted after you receive and accept an offer of admission, so you have to be admissible to a programme first.

Application Requirements

You must submit a separate personal statement with your application that explicitly says you are applying for the tuition fee waiver. If you leave this statement out, you will not be considered, no matter how strong your grades are.

What the Scholarship Covers

• The full tuition fee for the two years of your MSc programme.
• Relief from a cost of roughly EUR 7,500 per semester that non-EU/EEA students would otherwise pay.

The waiver covers tuition only. It does not provide a living stipend, so you still need to show you can fund accommodation, food and other costs in Denmark, which is part of the student residence permit process.

How to Apply

1. Choose your MSc programme: Pick a two-year MSc at DTU with an Autumn start and confirm you meet its academic entry requirements.
2. Prepare the waiver statement: Write a separate personal statement that clearly states you are applying for the tuition fee waiver and focuses on your academic achievements at bachelor's level.
3. Gather supporting evidence: Collect transcripts, proof of your bachelor's degree, and any documentation of research, work or other achievements that strengthen your merit case.
4. Submit your application by 15 January: Apply through DTU's admission system for the Autumn intake, attaching the waiver statement along with your standard application materials.
5. Wait for the admission decision: DTU assesses applicants and grants waivers to selected candidates after they receive and accept an offer of admission.
6. Accept your offer: Confirm your place once admitted, as the waiver is applied to admitted students who have taken up their offer.

Required Documents

• Completed MSc application through DTU's admission system.
• A separate personal statement specifying that you are applying for the tuition fee waiver.
• Official academic transcripts from your bachelor's degree.
• Proof of your completed or expected bachelor's degree.
• Documentation of the English language requirement for your programme.
• A CV and evidence of research, publications, work experience, teaching or awards where relevant.

Key Dates & Deadlines

DTU runs an annual admission cycle for the Autumn intake. Applications for non-EU/EEA students, including those who want to be considered for the waiver, close on 15 January. Admission decisions follow in the spring, and waivers are confirmed for selected admitted students. The MSc programme then begins with the Autumn semester. Check the official page each year, as exact processing dates can shift.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Make your waiver statement specific about your academic record and back claims with grades and examples.
• Highlight research, publications, awards or relevant work that set you apart from other strong applicants.
• Submit well before 15 January so a missing document does not cost you consideration.
• Confirm your transcripts and degree documents are complete and correctly translated.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting the separate waiver statement, which alone removes you from consideration.
• Applying for the Spring intake, which is not eligible.
• Writing a generic statement that does not mention the waiver or your academic achievements.
• Assuming the waiver covers living costs; it does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver?

It is a merit-based award from the Technical University of Denmark that covers the tuition fee for a two-year MSc for selected outstanding non-EU/EEA students.

Is the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver fully funded?

No. It covers tuition in full but does not include a living stipend, so you need to fund accommodation, food and other costs yourself.

What is the deadline for the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver?

You must apply by 15 January for the Autumn intake, and you must include the separate waiver statement by that date.

Who is eligible for the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver?

Non-EU/EEA MSc applicants who are liable for tuition at DTU and who show strong academic performance are eligible to be considered.

How do I apply for the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver?

Apply for a two-year MSc starting in Autumn and submit a separate personal statement stating that you want the tuition fee waiver, along with your standard application documents, by 15 January.

How much is the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver worth?

It covers the full MSc tuition. DTU tuition for non-EU/EEA students is approximately EUR 7,500 per semester, so the waiver is worth that across the two-year programme.

Do EU/EEA students need the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver?

No. EU/EEA students study tuition-free in Denmark, so the waiver is aimed at non-EU/EEA students who would otherwise pay tuition.

Can I get the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver for a Spring intake?

No. The waiver is available only for the Autumn intake.

What happens if I forget the separate statement for the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver?

You will not be considered for the waiver, even with an otherwise strong application, so the statement is essential.

When is the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver decided?

Waivers are granted to selected applicants after they receive and accept an offer of admission, following DTU's assessment in the spring.

Does the DTU Tuition Fee Waiver cover living costs in Denmark?

No. It covers tuition only, and you must still demonstrate that you can support yourself for your residence permit.