Scholarships in Denmark: Types, Benefits & Application Process

According to the US News World Report, Denmark ranks third in the list of the top countries with a well-developed public education system. We have decoded a way your study in Denmark experience would become affordable – scholarships in Denmark.  

Depending on your eligibility, you will have a wide range of possibilities to select from, whether it's a fully-funded Denmark scholarship for Indian students or a partly-financed scholarship. Read on to learn Denmark's different types of scholarships, the eligibility criteria, and more. 

List of Popular Universities Offering Scholarships in Denmark 

Here is a quick rundown of the top universities in Denmark offering scholarships to international students. 

University	City	Rankings
University of Copenhagen	Copenhagen	107
Technical University of Denmark	Kongens Lyngby	121
Aarhus University	Aarhus	143
University of Southern Denmark (SDU)	Odense	326
Aalborg University	Aalborg	336

Source: QS World University Rankings (2024)

Types of Scholarships Offered in Denmark 

In order to study in Denmark, there are three main types of scholarships awarded to Indian students. 

1. Denmark government scholarship  

• These scholarships are offered by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science. 
• Some of the popular government scholarships in Denmark for Indian students are Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarships, and Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarships. 

2. Non-government scholarships 

• These scholarships are offered by non-government institutions or external agencies. 
• Some well-known non-government Denmark scholarships include the Erasmus Programme, Nordplus scholarship, and Erasmus Mundus/ Joint Master scholarship.

3. University-specific scholarships 

• These scholarships are offered by the Danish universities. 
• Some popular university-specific scholarships are Technical University of Denmark scholarships, University of Southern Denmark (SDU) scholarships, etc. 

Scholarships in Denmark: Eligibility Criteria 

In order to obtain a Denmark scholarship for Indian students, you need to fulfill the primary eligibility criteria. This includes: 

• Should be a citizen of a non-EU (European Union), Switzerland, or EEA (the European Economic Area).
• Should be enrolled in a full-time higher degree at any university recognized by the Danish government. 
• Should possess a time-limited residence permit to stay in Denmark for education purposes. 
• Should secure an IELTS score of 6.5 or above.

In the following cases, you will not be eligible for scholarships in Denmark: 

• If you possess a legal claim to the rights of citizens in Denmark. 
• If you are applying for an Artistic Higher Education Institution.
• If you are qualified for some kind of grant, funding, or financial aid under Danish law for the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme (SU). 
• If you already own a legal residence permit at the time of admission. 

Application Process 

Wondering about how to apply for a Denmark university scholarship? Here is a detailed step-by-step application process you can follow. 

Step 1: You must apply for admission to any Danish-recognized universities and get accepted. Applications must be submitted between March and April of the current year for September entry. You must apply for February entry between September and October of the preceding year.

Step 2: Get a residence permit for education purposes. You will need to submit the following documents: 

• University acceptance/admission letter
• Language proficiency test (Danish or English) 
• Birth and education certificates 
• Passport and passport-size photos 
• ST1 Form

Step 3: Search for the available scholarships in Denmark and check the eligibility criteria. 

Step 4: If you are eligible, apply for the scholarship online. Make sure to pay attention to the deadline for the scholarships. Generally, the deadline varies based on the university, study program, and type of scholarship you applied for.

Step 5: When applying for the scholarship online, fill in the correct details and double-check. Add the required documents before submitting. 

Step 6: For many scholarships, you must send a personal statement or a scholarship essay that will be evaluated during the selection stage. Highlight your academic achievements and how the scholarship is beneficial for you. 

Step 7: After you apply for the scholarship, the respective scholarship provider will review your application. Please note that this process can take several weeks to a few months. 

Step 8: Scholarships in Denmark are usually based on merit, so the scholarship provider prioritizes applicants with excellent academic scores and other achievements. 

Step 9: If you meet all the eligibility criteria, the scholarship providers will conduct further interviews. If you pass the interview, you will be notified that your scholarship application is successful. 

Note: All the scholarships are administered according to Danish laws, so the scholarship will be removed if you violate any law. So, make sure to abide by the laws when studying in Denmark. 

Scholarships In Denmark: Benefits 

There are numerous scholarships in Denmark that are available for Indian students. Here are a few of them, along with their benefits. 

Denmark Scholarship for Indian Students	Benefits
Nordplus Scholarship	Students receive €1,480 per semester.  The scholarship specifically supports exchange studies.  It might be possible to extend your exchange period beyond one or two semesters.
Erasmus Mundus/ Joint Master Scholarship	Full scholarships, which include living expenses, travel expenses, visa fees, and participation charges, are awarded to the top-ranked candidates.  Candidates can use the Erasmus Mundus Association to get assistance and support, as well as course contacts, candidate profiles, and events.  In addition to scholarships, Erasmus+ provides students with various subsidies and resources.
Southern Denmark (SDU) scholarship	The scholarship provides either a full or partial waiver of the tuition charge. Partial waiver covers fees for the second and fourth semesters.  No separate scholarship application is required; just apply for admission to the relevant program.

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