The case for Aarhus over Copenhagen
Aarhus University was founded in 1928 in Denmark's second city, on the Jutland peninsula. It is a large, broad research university, and for a Bangladeshi applicant it has a specific and underrated argument in its favour: the same Danish degree, the same permit rules and the same three-year post-study window, at a lower cost base.
Tuition generally sits below Copenhagen's within the Danish sector range, and Aarhus living costs are meaningfully lower than the capital's. Over a two-year master's that difference is real money — see the Aarhus cost guide for the monthly picture.
What is identical wherever you study in Denmark
| Rule | Figure |
|---|---|
| Funds for the SIRI permit | DKK 7,426 per study month, capped at 12 = DKK 89,112, about EUR 11,920 |
| Work during studies | 20 hours a week |
| Post-study stay | Up to three years, granted with the study permit |
| Application route | ST1 through SIRI, with the university completing its half and biometrics in Dhaka within 14 days |
None of that changes between universities. What changes is tuition, rent and how competitive the programme is. That is the whole comparison.
Where Aarhus is strong
- Business and economics at Aarhus BSS, with deep industry links
- Engineering, including a growing English-taught portfolio
- Natural sciences, especially biology, environmental and geoscience
- Public health and agricultural sciences, a genuine international specialism
- Social sciences and political science
Nursing, medicine, psychology and pharmacy are regulated professions. A Danish degree in any of them does not by itself permit practice, in Denmark or in Bangladesh — registration is separate and language requirements apply.
English-taught provision
The English-taught master's catalogue is substantial. The English-taught bachelor's list is short, as it is across Denmark. If you are applying after HSC, check the specific programme's language of instruction on the university's own pages rather than assuming; this is the same trap that catches applicants in Greece, for a completely different reason.
The money
| Item | Typical, 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, non-EU/EEA | Within the Danish range of roughly EUR 6,000-16,000 a year, generally below Copenhagen | The programme page is the authority |
| Living in Aarhus | Below Copenhagen, still high by European standards | |
| Funds to evidence | DKK 89,112 in your own name | Tuition already paid sits outside this |
⚠️ Denmark remains the most expensive of the nine countries overall. Aarhus reduces that number; it does not change the category. If the budget is tight, compare against Finland with a tuition waiver before committing, and read what a tuition waiver does not cover so the comparison is fair.
Where applications fail
- 1Missing the earlier non-EU deadline, which falls in the winter before a September start.
- 2Prior-study credits that do not match the programme's stated requirements.
- 3A funds file assembled late. DKK 89,112 in the student's own account with a clean history takes months to build honestly.
- 4Counting on work. Twenty hours a week is permission, not income you can budget before you have it, and most Danish jobs outside the university expect Danish.
Before you apply
- 1Find the non-EU deadline on the programme page a full year ahead.
- 2Compare Aarhus and Copenhagen tuition for the same subject — the gap is often larger than people assume.
- 3Build the DKK 89,112 early and leave it alone.
- 4Read the permit sequence in the Denmark guide before you accept an offer, so the timeline works.
Official sources — check for yourself
- Aarhus University — international
- New to Denmark — SIRI study permits
- Study in Denmark — official portal
- Denmark country guide
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
Is Aarhus cheaper than Copenhagen?+
Generally yes on both tuition and living costs, though both sit inside the Danish sector range of roughly EUR 6,000-16,000 a year. The permit rules, funds requirement and post-study window are identical, so the cost difference is the main variable between them.
Do the visa rules differ by Danish university?+
No. SIRI applies the same ST1 process, the same DKK 89,112 funds requirement, the same 20-hour work limit and the same post-study stay of up to three years wherever in Denmark you study.
Are there English-taught bachelor's degrees at Aarhus?+
A short list, as across Denmark; the English-taught master's catalogue is much larger. Check the language of instruction on the programme's own page before applying rather than assuming from the faculty.
Can part-time work cover my costs in Denmark?+
Twenty hours a week at Danish wages covers a meaningful share of living costs but not tuition, and most work outside the university expects Danish. Treat it as relief on the budget, never as part of the plan.
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