Can you get SU as an international student in Denmark? Usually no. SU is generally only for Danish residents, but you can apply for equal status under Danish rules or EU rules. If you don't qualify, you'll need other funding.
What SU is and who it's for
SU (Statens Uddannelsesstøtte) is the Danish state educational support. It's generally awarded only to Danish residents. International students may apply for equal status, which means you're treated like a Danish citizen for SU purposes. You can be granted equal status under Danish rules or under EU law. The rules are strict, and you need to check your own situation carefully.
Equal status under Danish rules
Danish rules cover specific groups. You may qualify if you came to Denmark with your parents, are married to a Danish citizen, have worked in Denmark for at least two years, or have lived there for at least five years. Members of the Danish minority in Southern Slesvig also qualify. If you get equal status under Danish rules, you cannot receive SU for a whole study programme abroad. That matters if you're thinking of taking part of your degree outside Denmark.
Third-country nationals on a student residence permit face restrictions. Receiving SU could jeopardise your right to remain in Denmark. So even if you think you might qualify, check the consequences before you apply.
Equal status under EU rules
Under EU rules, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who work in Denmark qualify, and so do certain family members. Other EU/EEA citizens generally need five continuous years of residence. If you're an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, this is the route to look at first. If you're from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, the Danish rules are more likely to apply to you, and the restrictions above are relevant.
What it means for your budget
If you don't get SU, you need to fund your studies yourself. Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, and for students entitled to the same status as Danish citizens under EU law. Other full-degree students pay tuition fees set by each institution. The fees and deadlines on this site are shown as listed in the Study in Denmark register, so confirm them with the institution. For day-to-day costs, see our guide to the cost of living in Denmark. And if you need other funding, our scholarship directory lists options.
Our catalogue includes 24 Danish higher education institutions and 422 programmes imported from the Study in Denmark register. You can browse all universities in Denmark to compare where you might study.
Applying for your place
Undergraduate applications are coordinated centrally through www.optagelse.dk but assessed by the institutions. The deadlines are 15 March and 5 July, both at 12 noon (CET). All Danish higher education institutions use ECTS credits and follow national rules on teacher qualifications, degree structures and examinations. If you're from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you normally need a residence permit for study before you come. Apply through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI); details are on nyidanmark.dk. SIRI decides on permits and the institution decides on admission.
Where to check your eligibility
SU rules are detailed and depend on your nationality, residence and work history. Don't rely on a summary. Go to su.dk and read the pages on Danish rules and EU rules. For application deadlines and fees, check studyindenmark.dk and the institution's own pages. For residence permits, use nyidanmark.dk. And for undergraduate application, optagelse.dk. It's better to spend an hour on these sites now than to discover a problem later.
Sources
- Study in Denmark, scholarships
- SU, Danish rules for foreign citizens
- SU, EU rules for foreign citizens
- Study in Denmark, how to apply
- Study in Denmark, tuition fees and scholarships
- Study in Denmark, residence permits for non-EU/EEA citizens
- Study in Denmark, guarantee for a quality experience
Frequently asked questions
Can international students get SU in Denmark?
SU is generally only awarded to Danish residents. International students may apply for equal status under Danish rules or EU rules. If you don't qualify, you'll need other funding.
What are the Danish rules for equal status for SU?
Danish rules cover people who came to Denmark with their parents, are married to a Danish citizen, have worked in Denmark for at least two years, have lived there for at least five years, and members of the Danish minority in Southern Slesvig.
Can EU citizens get SU in Denmark?
Under EU rules, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who work in Denmark qualify, and certain family members do too. Other EU/EEA citizens generally need five continuous years of residence.
Does getting SU affect my student residence permit?
Third-country nationals on a student residence permit face restrictions. Receiving SU could jeopardise your right to remain in Denmark, so check with su.dk and nyidanmark.dk before applying.