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Last modified: 2026-10-01

# Studying in Denmark as a Non-EU Student: Admission, Fees, SIRI Residence Permit and Work Rights

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Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland pay tuition in Denmark and cannot receive the State Educational Grant (SU). On English-taught programmes a year costs roughly $11,300–19,500 (€10,000–17,300). Bachelor's applications go through the national portal optagelse.dk by 15 March, 12:00, but many non-EU school certificates — Russia's included — admit you to a university bachelor's only with an extra year of university study (60 ECTS) or supplementary courses. Master's applications go straight to the university; the University of Copenhagen and DTU close on 15 January for non-EU applicants. The residence permit is handled online by SIRI, and since 1 October 2026 new applicants face shorter job-seeking permits and no accompanying family at bachelor's and master's level.

| At a glance | Status on 1 October 2026 |
| --- | --- |
| Tuition | CBS bachelor's $7,344 (€6,500) per semester; DTU master's $8,474 (€7,500) per semester; SDU $16,947–19,546 (€15,000–17,300) per year |
| School certificate | for many non-EU countries, plus one year of university (60 ECTS) or Danish A- and B-level courses |
| Bachelor's applications | optagelse.dk, quota 2, by 15 March, 12:00 |
| Master's applications | university portal; KU and DTU by 15 January |
| Residence permit | form ST1, fee DKK 3,060 (about $462), funds of DKK 7,426 (about $1,122) a month in your own name |
| Processing time | normally 2 months, up to 3 |
| Biometrics | within 14 days at a Danish mission or application centre |
| Work | 90 hours a month September–May, full time June–August |
| After graduation | job-seeking permit of 6 or 12 months (for applications filed from 1 October 2026) |

The main building of the University of Copenhagen on Frue Plads, seen from above, May 2015. Photo: Orf3us / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:K%C3%B8benhavns_Universitets_hovedbygning.jpg), [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0).

## How Danish higher education is organised {#section-1}

Eight universities, seven university colleges and seven business academies make up the system. Universities award academic bachelor's (3 years), master's (usually 2 years) and PhD degrees. University colleges train professional bachelor's with mandatory placements, and business academies run two-year academy profession programmes that can be topped up to a professional bachelor's.

Language matters more than you might expect. English-taught master's are offered almost everywhere, while English-taught bachelor's are scarce: all 78 bachelor's at the University of Copenhagen are in Danish, and the University of Southern Denmark lists 16 in English. Institutions, fees and recognition are compared in our guide to [universities in Denmark](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-denmark).

## Can you start a bachelor's straight after school? {#section-2}

It depends on your certificate. The University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen Business School publish country assessments based on rules from the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. At KU, for Russia as for China, Brazil and several other countries, the national school certificate opens university bachelor's programmes only with one year of higher education (60 ECTS) or supplementary courses: at least one subject at Danish A level (advanced) and one at B level (intermediate). CBS lists only the 60-ECTS university year for a Russian certificate. On top of this general requirement, each programme sets subject requirements — for example English A and Mathematics B — with minimum grades.

Realistic routes for such applicants:

1. One year at a home university, then Denmark. Complete 60 credits in a related field at an accredited university, then apply in quota 2.
2. University college or business academy. General entry for some academy profession and professional bachelor's programmes is assessed differently. Read the programme's entry requirements and ask the admissions office before applying.
3. Straight to a master's. With a bachelor's or specialist degree, the school certificate no longer matters; the master's committee looks at your degree content.

Check your own country in the assessment tables published by KU and CBS. For Russian citizens weighing options across countries, see [studying abroad for Russian citizens](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-study-abroad-for-russian-citizens).

## Bachelor's: applying through optagelse.dk {#section-3}

Bachelor's, professional bachelor's and academy profession programmes share one national portal, optagelse.dk. The deadline for most programmes is 15 March, 12:00 Copenhagen time. International certificates are almost always assessed in quota 2, because grades cannot be converted to the Danish scale: the university weighs your subjects, grades and motivation, sometimes with a test or interview. At the University of Copenhagen, requirements must be met by 5 July and admission results arrive on 28 July; other universities use similar dates, so confirm them on the programme page.

| Step | What to know |
| --- | --- |
| Application fee | some institutions charge non-EU applicants, e.g. €150 (about $169) per round at CBS |
| English | at least Danish B level for English-taught programmes; CBS requires English B and A: with a Russian certificate, in practice Cambridge C1 Advanced (185+) or C2, since IELTS 7.0 counts only once level B is met |
| Quota 2 | the university's own assessment; KU's quota 2 test is in Danish |
| Outcome | late July, followed by payment and the residence permit |

## Master's: applying directly to the university {#section-4}

Master's applications go through each university's portal, not optagelse.dk. You need a relevant bachelor's or specialist degree; final-year students apply with current transcripts. Danish rules let the university assess only your bachelor's degree, so you cannot fill gaps with extra courses between degrees.

| University | Non-EU deadline | Fee | Also note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| University of Copenhagen (KU) | 15 January, 23:59 (September entry) | DKK 1,120 (about $169) deposit per round, up to three programmes, offset against tuition if admitted | fees for a 120-ECTS programme are charged for four semesters, however long you take |
| DTU | 15 January | €100 (about $113), up to two programmes | tuition due by 1 May; fee waivers announced in April |
| CBS, RUC, SDU and others | by programme | by institution | RUC charges €5,000–8,000 per semester from the 2026 intake |

Denmark is reforming its master's degrees, and some universities already publish separate programme lists for entry from 2028, so check the length and format for your year of entry.

## Costs {#section-5}

| Item | Amount | Source and period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CBS, bachelor's | $7,344 (€6,500) per semester, $14,687 (€13,000) per year | CBS, October 2026 |
| SDU, English-taught bachelor's | $16,947–19,546 (€15,000–17,300) per year, first year in advance | SDU, from the 2026 intake |
| DTU, master's | $8,474 (€7,500) per semester, $33,894 (€30,000) for two years | DTU |
| RUC, master's | $5,649–9,038 (€5,000–8,000) per semester | rates for September 2026 entry |
| Funds required for the residence permit | DKK 7,426 (about $1,122) a month, capped at DKK 89,112 (about $13,467) | SIRI, 2026 level |
| SIRI processing fee | DKK 3,060 (about $462) | SIRI, 2026 level |

Students on a study permit may not receive SU or other public benefits; doing so can lead to the permit being revoked. Costs can be reduced through university tuition waivers and scholarships, and through Erasmus Mundus joint programmes that include Danish universities. See [scholarships abroad in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026) and, for legal payment routes from Russia, [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## The residence permit: how SIRI handles it {#section-6}

Study permits are issued by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) through nyidanmark.dk, and you can apply only once admitted.

1. Create a case order ID and pay the fee. Pay DKK 3,060 no later than the moment you submit, and attach the receipt. SIRI rejects applications whose fee is late or short.
2. Wait for the university's part. The university completes part one of the online ST1 form and enters your e-mail; you complete your part through the link you receive.
3. Prove funds. A bank statement no older than 30 days, in your own name, showing DKK 7,426 for each month of study (up to DKK 89,112). SIRI does not accept parents' statements or sponsor letters. A paid first semester counts as proof of funds.
4. Applicants under 18 add both parents' consent, a birth certificate and the institution's declaration of proper living and study conditions.
5. Record biometrics within 14 days of applying online (see below).

Processing normally takes 2 months, up to 3 if more documents are needed. The permit covers the programme's standard length but ends 3 months before your passport expires. Giving up your Danish address or staying abroad for more than 6 consecutive months makes it lapse. SIRI alone decides on the permit.

## Where to record biometrics: Russia and Kazakhstan {#section-7}

According to Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, residence permit applications cannot be filed in Russia: the embassy in Moscow handles only short-stay visa enquiries and refers residence permit applicants to a Danish visa application centre in the region.

| Country | Where residence permit applications are accepted | Who processes locally |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Russia | not accepted; use a Danish application centre in the region | — |
| Kazakhstan | VFS Global, Almaty | Embassy of Denmark in Ankara |
| Belarus | VFS Global, Minsk | Embassy of Denmark in London |

Before travelling, ask the chosen centre whether it accepts applicants who are not residents of that country, and book early. If you cannot get an appointment within 14 days, SIRI lets you e-mail the date of your booked appointment so that the application is not rejected. A residence card also lets you travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180, but not work in other Schengen countries.

## Work during and after studies {#section-8}

Students on state-approved programmes may work 90 hours a month from September to May and full time in June, July and August; mandatory internships may be full time. Working beyond the limit is illegal work and can bring a warning, a fine or revocation. Applicants for non-state-approved programmes who filed on or after 2 May 2025 have no work rights.

Two rules changed on 1 October 2026:

- Job-seeking permit. Applicants who file for a study permit from 1 October 2026 and complete a bachelor's, professional bachelor's or master's are generally granted a job-seeking permit of 6 months or 1 year, down from up to 3 years. PhD graduates still receive 3 years.
- Family. Spouses, cohabiting or registered partners and children of bachelor's and master's students who apply from 1 October 2026 cannot join them as accompanying family members. PhD students are not affected.

Free Danish classes are available from age 18 once your address is registered, though students on a study permit pay a deposit they can lose if modules are not passed on time.

## Recognition in Russia {#section-9}

Five Danish universities — Copenhagen, Aarhus, DTU, Aalborg and Southern Denmark — are listed in Russian Government Order 186-r, so their bachelor's and master's degrees are recognised in Russia without a procedure. Degrees from other Danish institutions go through the standard recognition procedure, decided by Rosobrnadzor.

## Timeline for 2027 entry {#section-10}

| When | Bachelor's | Master's |
| --- | --- | --- |
| October–November 2026 | check whether your certificate needs a top-up year; SDU takes pre-assessment requests until 15 November; shortlist English-taught programmes | shortlist 2–3 programmes, match your credits to their requirements |
| From 15 November 2026 | — | KU opens deposit payments |
| By 15 January 2027 | sit IELTS or a Cambridge exam | apply to KU, DTU and others with this deadline |
| By 15 March 2027, 12:00 | apply on optagelse.dk in quota 2 | — |
| April–May 2027 | quota 2 tests and interviews | decisions; DTU announces waivers, tuition due by 1 May |
| Late July 2027 | admission results | — |
| May–August 2027 | payment, ST1, biometrics trip, up to 2–3 months' processing | same |

## Common mistakes {#section-11}

- Applying to a university bachelor's on a certificate that needs a top-up year.
- Showing funds in a parent's account. SIRI accepts only statements in the student's name, or a paid first semester.
- Planning to submit the permit application in Moscow. Russian residents must travel to an application centre abroad.
- Submitting without the full fee or the receipt. SIRI rejects such applications, so check the amount on the application page in the year you apply.
- Treating SU or part-time work as a budget line. SU is not available, and work is capped at 90 hours a month.
- Relying on old rules: three-year job-seeking permits and accompanying family no longer apply to bachelor's and master's applications filed from 1 October 2026.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Is studying in Denmark free for international students?

Only for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. Others pay tuition unless they hold permanent residence in Denmark. A university may grant a tuition waiver or scholarship after its own selection, while SU is not available to students on a study residence permit.

### Can I enter a Danish university straight after school?

It depends on your country. For Russia and several other countries, a school certificate alone does not give access to a university bachelor's: you need one year of university (60 ECTS) or A- and B-level supplementary courses. The university's admissions office decides whether you meet the requirements.

### How much does it cost to study in Denmark?

About $11,300–19,500 (€10,000–17,300) a year on English-taught programmes: CBS charges €6,500 per semester for a bachelor's, DTU €7,500 per semester for a master's, and SDU €15,000–17,300 a year. For the permit you must also show DKK 7,426 (about $1,122) per month of study.

### Where do Russian citizens apply for a Danish residence permit?

The ST1 form is completed online at nyidanmark.dk, and biometrics are recorded within 14 days at a Danish mission or application centre. Applications are not accepted in Russia, so applicants travel to a Danish application centre in the region; SIRI makes the decision.

### How many hours can students work in Denmark?

Up to 90 hours a month from September to May and full time in June, July and August, provided the programme is state-approved. SIRI can fine or revoke the permit of students who exceed the limit.

### Can I stay in Denmark after graduation?

Yes, graduates of state-approved programmes receive a job-seeking permit. For study permits applied for from 1 October 2026 it is generally 6 months or 1 year (3 years for PhD graduates). With a job offer you apply for a new work-based permit, and SIRI decides.

### Can my family come with me?

Not if you are a bachelor's or master's student who applied from 1 October 2026: spouses, partners and children cannot receive permits as accompanying family. PhD students are exempt from this rule; SIRI makes the final decision.

## Sources {#section-13}

- SIRI (nyidanmark.dk): study residence permit — conditions, DKK 3,060 fee, DKK 7,426 monthly funds, work, job seeking, family, biometrics — [nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Study/Higher-education](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Study/Higher-education/)
- Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: where to apply (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus) — [um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/where-to-apply](https://um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/where-to-apply/)
- Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science (UFSN): admission with foreign qualifications, 15 March deadline — [ufsn.dk/english/education/recognition-and-transparency/recognition-guide/admission-he](https://ufsn.dk/english/education/recognition-and-transparency/recognition-guide/admission-he/); supplementary education for bachelor's access — [ufsn.dk/.../supplementary-education-for-access-to-university-bachelors-programmes](https://ufsn.dk/english/education/recognition-and-transparency/recognition-guide/admission-he/supplementary-education-for-access-to-university-bachelors-programmes/)
- University of Copenhagen: non-EU requirements by country — [ku.dk/studies/bachelor/admission-requirements/non-eu-eea-and-non-nordic-countries](https://www.ku.dk/studies/bachelor/admission-requirements/non-eu-eea-and-non-nordic-countries); quotas and dates — [ku.dk/studies/bachelor/quota-1-and-quota-2](https://www.ku.dk/studies/bachelor/quota-1-and-quota-2); master's — [ku.dk/studies/admission/masters](https://www.ku.dk/studies/admission/masters); deposit and fees — [ku.dk/studies/admission/application-deposit-fee-and-tuition-fees](https://www.ku.dk/studies/admission/application-deposit-fee-and-tuition-fees)
- CBS: country assessments, English A, application fee and tuition — [cbs.dk/en/study-programmes/bachelor-programmes/application-and-admission](https://www.cbs.dk/en/study-programmes/bachelor-programmes/application-and-admission)
- DTU: fees — [dtu.dk/english/education/graduate/fees-and-funding](https://www.dtu.dk/english/education/graduate/fees-and-funding); [autumn intake dates](https://www.dtu.dk/english/education/graduate/admission-and-deadlines/application_procedure/apply/important-dates-and-deadlines-autumn)
- SDU: fees — [sdu.dk/en/uddannelse/bachelor](https://www.sdu.dk/en/uddannelse/bachelor), [sdu.dk/en/uddannelse/fees_and_funding/tuition](https://www.sdu.dk/en/uddannelse/fees_and_funding/tuition); pre-assessment of qualifications — [sdu.dk/.../forhaandsvurdering](https://www.sdu.dk/en/uddannelse/ansoegning-optagelse/bachelor-diplomingenioer/optagelse-med-udenlandsk-eksamen/forhaandsvurdering); RUC — [ruc.dk/en/tuition-fee-rates](https://ruc.dk/en/tuition-fee-rates)
- Russian Government Order 186-r of 30.01.2023, Kingdom of Denmark section (as amended 19.02.2026) — [publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202302020018](http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202302020018)

All figures checked on 1 October 2026. Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 1 October 2026: €1 = $1.1298 = DKK 7.4758, so $1 ≈ DKK 6.62.

If you want to work through your route, send a [request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply): document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Universities in Denmark for International Students: Which to Choose, What Is Taught in English and What It Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-denmark)
- [Studying Abroad as a Russian Citizen in 2026: Where You Can Go, Where to File Your Visa, How to Pay and How to Get Your Degree Recognised](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-study-abroad-for-russian-citizens)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)

Updated: October 2026