National Information

Denmark

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OVERVIEW

In Denmark, home students do not pay fees. International students pay fees unless they have been granted a Danish citizenship.
There is no part-time student status.
There is no fee differentiation depending on the field of study (specific discipline) or programme (taught in foreign language, studying for a second degree etc.).
Waivers and reductions to fees are not applicable.
Direct financial support is offered in the form of universal grants. Loans are available and can be combined with grants.
Indirect financial support to students and their families is not provided.

Academic year
Type of support

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Minimum, maximum, and most common annual fee amounts (in EUR)

Cycle
Type of Students
Status of Students

FEES

Home and EU/EEA/EFTA full-time students do not pay fees.
International students pay fees set by higher education institutions. The overall principle is that the fees match the expenditures.
There is no official part-time status in the ordinary education system. Part-time programmes only exist in adult and continuing higher education, where students pay fees.
Student category "students on non-state subsidised places" does not exist.
No matter the length of the study period, home students do not pay fees.
Data on share of fee payers is not available at national level as fees are set by the higher education institutions.

Annual grant amounts (in EUR)

Cycle
Type of Students
Status of Students
Type of Grants

DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT - GRANTS

Universal grants are available to home full-time students.
International students are eligible for award of grants on the condition that they have a status of Danish citizens and therefore must fulfil some specific conditions. They receive the same amount of grants as home students.
Grants are paid in monthly instalments for 12 months period on yearly basis. State grants are available to all full-time students whose income does not exceed a defined amount (18,412 DKK per month in 2023) in the month where the student receives the grant. For students living with their parents, the grant amount depends on the parental income. The amounts reported are relevant for the start of the academic year (2023). All grants are taxable and the payable amount depends on individual circumstances.
The grants for 2024 are as follows: the minimum amount is 1,060 DKK per month (12,720 DKK per year), the maximum amount is 6,820 DKK per month (81,840 DKK per year), and the most common amount is 6,820 DKK per month (81,840 DKK per year). In 2024, the student's income must not exceed 19,056 DKK per month in order for him/her to be eligible for grants. For students living with their parents, the grant amount depends on the parental income. In 2024, for students who live with their parents, the minimum grant is 1,060 DKK per month for 12 months per year and the maximum amount is 2,940 DKK per month.
94% (first cycle), 87% (second cycle) and 91% (short cycle) home students received universal grants.
There is no age limit for award of grants.

Annual loan amounts (in EUR)

DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT - LOANS

Loans are available to home full-time students. State loans are available to all students who are eligible for grants.
International students are eligible for award of loans on the condition that they have a status of Danish citizens and therefore must fulfil some specific conditions. They receive the same amount of loans as home students.
The loan amounts are annually regulated and the reported amounts apply to 2023. Students who are providers are able to take a supplemental loan of up to 1,686 DKK per month (20,232 DKK per year). It is also possible for students who are providers only to take on a supplemental loan. Students, who do not have more state educational grant left can take on a 'completion loan' of 8,697 DKK per month (104,364 DKK per year) within the last 12 or 24 months of their education.
The loan amounts for 2024 are as follows: the maximum amount is 3,489 DKK per month (41,868 per year). Students who are providers can take on a supplemental loan of up to 1,745 DKK per month (20,940 DKK per year). Students, who do not have more state educational grant left can take on a 'completion loan' of 9,001 DKK per month (108,012 DKK per year) within the last 12 or 24 months of their education.
18% in first and second cycle and 21% of home students in short cycle received loans. 4% of international students in first cycle, 2% in second cycle and 6% in short cycle received loans.
The minimum age limit for students to apply for a publicly subsidised loan is 18 years.

Further readings

Overview | Eurydice (europa.eu)

Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education