Who this is for
The University of Copenhagen is Denmark's oldest and largest university, founded in 1479, and one of northern Europe's strongest research institutions. It suits a well-funded master's applicant with a close subject match who wants a serious research environment and intends to stay in Europe afterwards.
It does not suit an applicant whose plan depends on part-time earnings, and it barely exists as an option for school-leavers: the English-taught bachelor's list is very short, while the English-taught master's catalogue is large.
The money, stated plainly
| Item | Typical, 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, non-EU/EEA | Danish sector range is roughly EUR 6,000-16,000 a year; Copenhagen sits at the top of it | The programme page is the authority |
| Living in Copenhagen | Among the highest in Europe — see the Copenhagen cost guide | |
| Funds for the SIRI permit | DKK 7,426 per study month, capped at 12 months = DKK 89,112, about EUR 11,920 | In your own name; paid tuition counts separately |
| Permit case fee | Charged by SIRI, set annually | nyidanmark.dk |
The krone is pegged closely to the euro, so a Danish fee is stable against the euro even though it is quoted in kroner. It is not stable against the taka, and neither is anything else.
⚠️ Denmark is the most expensive of the nine countries we work with, on both tuition and living costs, and it has the largest funds requirement. That is the honest headline. If the family budget is the binding constraint, Denmark is the wrong first application, and Finland with a tuition waiver or Bulgaria at EUR 3,000-5,000 is the sensible comparison. See the Nordic comparison.
Scholarships, honestly
Danish government scholarships administered through the universities exist for highly qualified non-EU students, and they can cover tuition and sometimes a living grant. They are few and awarded on merit at admission. They are worth applying for and are not a plan. The realistic picture is in scholarships for studying in Denmark.
Where it is strong
- Health and medical sciences, one of the largest faculties in Scandinavia
- Natural sciences, particularly biology, climate and geosciences
- Social sciences, law and economics
- Humanities, with a large English-taught postgraduate offering
Medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and psychology are regulated. A Danish degree in any of them requires separate registration to practise, in Denmark and in Bangladesh.
How you apply and what follows
You apply to the university directly for master's admission, with deadlines that for non-EU applicants generally fall in the winter before the September start — earlier than most people expect, because the permit process has to fit afterwards.
The permit runs through SIRI on the ST1 application: you create a case order ID, the university completes its half of the form, you complete yours, and biometrics are given in Dhaka within 14 days of submitting. Full detail is in the Denmark guide.
During studies you may work 20 hours a week, and after graduation you may stay up to three years to find work — granted with the study permit, and structurally the strongest post-study arrangement in Europe.
Where applications fail
- 1Prior-study requirements not met. Copenhagen states required background in academic credits and applies it exactly.
- 2Applying to the wrong deadline. The non-EU deadline is earlier than the EU one and it is not extended.
- 3Funds evidenced late or in the wrong name. DKK 89,112 must sit in the student's own account with a calm history — no sudden deposits.
- 4Assuming a scholarship. Most admitted international students pay.
Before you apply
- 1Check the programme's non-EU deadline in September, a year ahead.
- 2Match your transcript to the stated prior-study credits before writing anything else.
- 3Start building the DKK 89,112 at least six months before the permit application.
- 4Decide honestly whether you could complete the degree if no scholarship arrives.
Official sources — check for yourself
- University of Copenhagen
- 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
How much money do I need to show for a Danish study permit?+
DKK 7,426 per study month at the 2026 level, capped at twelve months, so DKK 89,112 or about EUR 11,920, held in your own name. Tuition you have already paid is counted separately and does not reduce this figure.
Are there bachelor's degrees in English at the University of Copenhagen?+
Very few. The English-taught provision is overwhelmingly at master's level, so school-leavers looking at Denmark generally have better luck elsewhere in the sector or in another country entirely.
Is Denmark worth the cost?+
It has the highest total cost of the nine countries we work with and the strongest post-study route, at up to three years granted with the study permit. Whether that trade is worth it depends entirely on whether you can fund the degree without depending on part-time work, which is capped at 20 hours a week.
Can I get a full scholarship?+
Danish government scholarships administered by the universities exist and can cover tuition and sometimes a living grant, but they are few and merit-based, and most admitted international students pay. Apply for one; do not budget on one.
Want this checked against your own profile?
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