Universities in Denmark

Denmark has eight universities: the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, the University of Southern Denmark, Roskilde University, Aalborg University, the Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School and the IT University of Copenhagen. According to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, they are state-funded, autonomous institutions that offer research-based bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes. Many programmes are taught entirely in English.

Universities are one part of Danish higher education. University colleges, business academies, schools of architecture and art, and maritime institutions offer more professional and applied programmes. SpainExchange lists six universities and university-level institutions in Denmark: three in Copenhagen, two in Aarhus and one in Odense.

How university degrees work

• Bachelor's degree: three years, normally 180 ECTS credits, research-based, with a final project; titles such as BA or BSc
• Master's degree (candidatus): normally two years and 120 ECTS after a bachelor's, with a thesis; longer in Medicine (three years, 180 ECTS) and Veterinary Medicine (two and a half years, 150 ECTS); Danish titles start with "cand.", such as cand.mag.
• PhD: normally three years (180 ECTS) after a master's degree, organised in PhD schools

The institutions differ in profile. The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479. Aarhus University dates from 1928 and offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's programmes in English. Copenhagen Business School combines business economics with subjects such as politics, sociology and IT, and the University of Southern Denmark teaches in five cities, including Odense. DIS, a non-profit institution in Copenhagen, has run semester and summer study abroad programmes, taught in English, for undergraduates since 1959.

Admission for international students

For bachelor's programmes, applicants need a qualification at the level of a Danish upper secondary school leaving certificate, plus any subject and grade requirements of the programme. Applications go through the national portal optagelse.dk rather than to each university, and one application can include up to eight programmes. Applicants with foreign school qualifications must apply by 15 March, 12 noon CET. Danish-taught programmes require proof of Danish; English-taught programmes set their own English requirements. Master's admission requires a relevant bachelor's degree and is handled by each university.

Students with foreign qualifications can have them assessed by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, for admission or for work.

Costs, residence and work

Higher education is free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland and for exchange students. Other full-degree students pay fees, which Study in Denmark puts at €6,000-16,000 (DKK 45,000-120,000) a year; the exact fee is set by each institution.

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens apply for an EU residence document instead of a permit. Others need a study residence permit from the Danish immigration service (New to Denmark). In 2026 the processing fee is DKK 3,060, and applicants must show funds of DKK 7,426 a month, up to DKK 89,112 for a year. Students in state-approved programmes may work 90 hours a month from September to May and full-time in June, July and August.

How to choose a university

• Language: check whether the programme is taught in English or Danish
• Profile: broad research universities, specialised institutions (business, technology, IT) or applied programmes at university colleges
• Degree type: a full bachelor's or master's degree, or a semester as an exchange or study abroad student
• Cost: whether you pay tuition fees, and the cost of living in Copenhagen compared with other cities
• Deadlines: 15 March for most international bachelor's applicants; master's deadlines vary by university

Frequently asked questions

Is university free in Denmark for international students?

It is free for EU/EEA and Swiss students and for exchange students. Other full-degree students pay tuition fees, typically €6,000-16,000 a year according to Study in Denmark.

How many universities are there in Denmark?

There are eight universities, including the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and Copenhagen Business School. Other institutions such as university colleges and business academies also offer higher education.

How do I apply for a bachelor's degree in Denmark?

Through the national admission portal optagelse.dk, where you can apply for up to eight programmes. Applicants with a foreign school-leaving certificate must apply by 15 March.

Can international students work in Denmark?

Students in state-approved higher education programmes with a residence permit may work 90 hours a month from September to May and full-time in June, July and August.