Denmark Scholarships for African Students 2026

Find fully funded scholarships to study in Denmark as an African student in 2026. Danish Government Scholarships, DTU and Copenhagen Business School awards, and Erasmus Mundus options. Deadlines: January–March 2026. Direct apply links.

Denmark is an increasingly attractive destination for African students, particularly those interested in engineering, technology, renewable energy, business, and design. While it does not offer tuition-free education to non-EU students, Denmark's universities are globally respected — the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) consistently ranks in the world's top 100 for engineering, and the Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is one of Europe's premier business schools. Both institutions actively recruit international students and offer scholarships for high-performing applicants.

The Danish Government provides a scholarship programme for non-EU/EEA students administered through individual universities, and several Danish universities run their own merit scholarships. Erasmus Mundus joint programmes also fund African students studying in Danish institutions. The challenge for most African applicants is that fully funded options are limited in number — Denmark has fewer dedicated Africa-focused scholarship programmes than Germany or the UK — but competition is correspondingly lower than for oversubscribed programmes like Chevening.

Denmark is a global leader in wind energy, sustainable architecture, and the circular economy. For African students with interests in climate adaptation, renewable energy, food systems, or tech-driven development, Danish universities offer a relevant and cutting-edge academic environment. Copenhagen is consistently rated one of the world's most liveable cities, with a strong tech startup ecosystem and major multinational companies including Novo Nordisk, Maersk, and Vestas.

Most international Master's programmes run from September with application deadlines in January or March. English is the medium of instruction for virtually all international programmes, and Danish language ability is not required for academic study.

Main Scholarship Programmes for African Students

Danish Government Scholarships (for non-EU/EEA students): These are disbursed through individual Danish universities rather than a central ministry portal. Each university has an allocation of government scholarship funds to award to top-performing non-EU applicants. Coverage: full tuition waiver plus monthly living stipend of approximately DKK 9,700 (USD 1,400). Apply by applying to a programme and explicitly requesting scholarship consideration — mechanisms vary by university.

DTU (Technical University of Denmark) Scholarships: DTU offers a number of full and partial scholarships for outstanding non-EU applicants, primarily for its two-year English-taught Master's programmes. Coverage varies; some cover full tuition and a stipend. Apply at dtu.dk/english/education/msc/scholarships.

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) Scholarships: CBS offers merit-based fee waivers and partial scholarships for high-performing international applicants. The CBS scholarship is awarded automatically to top applicants — no separate application needed.

University of Copenhagen (UCPH) Excellence Scholarships: UCPH awards scholarships to outstanding non-EU applicants for selected Master's programmes. Coverage: full tuition and monthly stipend. Check ku.dk/english/admissions/scholarships-and-fees for current programme eligibility.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees: Several Erasmus Mundus programmes are hosted partially or fully in Denmark. Covers tuition and EUR 1,000/month stipend. Search eacea.ec.europa.eu for programmes with Danish partner universities.

Top Universities in Denmark for African Students

Technical University of Denmark (DTU, Lyngby/Copenhagen) — World top-100 for engineering; strong in sustainable energy, bioengineering, computer science, and environment.
University of Copenhagen (UCPH) — Denmark's largest and oldest university; strong in life sciences, medicine, law, humanities, and social sciences.
Copenhagen Business School (CBS) — One of Europe's largest and most respected business schools; strong in international business, finance, economics, and management.
Aarhus University — Denmark's second-largest; strong in natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, and business. Located in Denmark's second city.
Aalborg University — Known for its problem-based learning approach; strong in engineering, IT, architecture, and social sciences.
University of Southern Denmark (SDU, Odense) — Strong in biomedical science, engineering, and social sciences; smaller and less competitive city.

Visa Requirements for African Students

African students need a Danish residence permit for studies. Apply at the Danish Immigration Service (nyidanmark.dk) after receiving an unconditional admission offer. Required: admission letter, proof of tuition payment or scholarship letter, proof of sufficient financial means (approximately DKK 6,591/month — around USD 950), and a passport valid for at least three months beyond the permit period. Processing takes 1–3 months. If your home country does not have a Danish embassy, you may apply at a Danish embassy in a neighbouring country or via a VFS Global centre.

Cost of Living Estimates

Copenhagen: DKK 10,000–14,000/month (approx. USD 1,445–2,025)
Aarhus: DKK 8,000–11,000/month (approx. USD 1,155–1,590)
Aalborg/Odense: DKK 7,500–10,000/month (approx. USD 1,080–1,445)
Student housing (kollegium): DKK 2,500–5,500/month (apply via boligportal.dk or university housing services)
Government scholarship stipend: DKK 9,700/month (approximately covers Copenhagen living costs)

How to Apply — 7 Steps

Select a programme: Use studyindenmark.dk to browse English-taught programmes. Filter by scholarship availability. Most programmes start September.
Check scholarship availability: Visit each university's scholarship page before applying — some programmes have no scholarship funding; applying strategically maximises your chance of award.
Prepare English test: IELTS 6.5+ (Academic) or TOEFL 88+ required. Book at least 3 months before application deadline.
Apply to the university: January 15 or March 1 deadline for September intake. Some programmes use optagelse.dk; others have their own portals.
Indicate scholarship interest: On your application or in a separate form (university-dependent), clearly indicate you are applying for a Danish Government or university scholarship. Write a specific motivation letter addressing why you deserve a scholarship.
Receive admission and scholarship decision: Usually notified April–June. Scholarship and admission decisions are often made simultaneously.
Apply for residence permit: Once you have an admission and scholarship confirmation, apply at nyidanmark.dk. Allow at least 2 months.

Required Documents

Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay)
Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts (certified English translations if not in English)
English language proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge)
Motivation letter (tailored to the programme and scholarship criteria)
CV/resume
Two academic or professional references
Proof of financial means or scholarship letter (for visa application)
Passport-style photographs (for visa)

1 Scholarships for African Students

Each scholarship below is drawn from Scholar Africa's verified database and cross-checked for eligibility, funding scope, and current deadline. Direct apply links go to each scholarship's official application portal.

Full Tuition

Danish Government Scholarship for Non-EU/EEA Students

Host Country Denmark

Degree Level Masters

Award / Funding Full tuition fee waiver for Masters degree programmes; no separate application needed — automatically considered

Deadline February 1, 2027

Provider Danish Universities

The Danish Government Scholarship for Non-EU/EEA students provides full tuition fee waivers to highly qualified students from non-EU/EEA countries, including all 54 African nations, applying for Master's degree programmes at Danish universities. The scholarship is distributed through Danish universities, which receive a limited number of government scholarships annually to a...

Apply at official site Full details

How to Apply — Step by Step

Competition for fully funded international scholarships is high. African students who apply systematically and early significantly improve their odds. Follow this process:

Research and shortlist
Review each scholarship's eligibility requirements — nationality restrictions, GPA minimums, age limits, and language requirements. Build a shortlist of 6–10 scholarships that match your profile.
Prepare academic documents early
Certified transcripts, degree certificates, and a current CV are required by almost every scholarship. Get official copies stamped by your institution early — processing takes 2–4 weeks at many African universities.
Book language tests
Most scholarships in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100). German programmes may accept a TestDaF B2 equivalent. French institutions may require DELF B2. Book at least 3 months before your target deadline.
Request letters of recommendation
Contact academic referees 6–8 weeks before the deadline. Give them your CV, the scholarship brief, and the submission deadline. Follow up gently two weeks before.
Write tailored personal statements
Generic essays fail. For each scholarship, address its specific mission directly. Chevening wants leaders with a return-to-home-country plan; DAAD wants academic excellence with a clear development angle; Commonwealth prioritises development impact in your home nation.
Submit before the deadline
System crashes and upload errors are common on deadline day. Submit at least 48–72 hours early. Screenshot your confirmation page and save the reference number.
Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously
Most finalists apply to 5–12 scholarships per cycle. Parallel applications do not disqualify you from any programme. Systematic parallel applications significantly improve your odds.

Documents Checklist

While each scholarship has specific requirements, the following documents are commonly requested. Prepare these well in advance of any deadline.

Academic transcripts — certified/official copies from all institutions attended
Degree certificates — undergraduate degree certificate (for Masters and PhD applicants)
Valid passport or national ID — at least 18 months remaining from the application date
Letters of recommendation (LORs) — typically 2–3 from academic supervisors or employers
Personal statement or statement of purpose — 500–1,200 words depending on the programme
Research proposal — required for PhD scholarships; typically 1,500–3,000 words
English language test scores — IELTS (minimum 6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100); check each programme's minimum
Academic CV or resume — includes publications, research experience, awards, and extracurriculars
Proof of nationality — birth certificate or national identity card
Employer reference letter — for scholarships requiring professional experience (e.g., Chevening requires 2 years)

Always verify the specific document requirements on the official scholarship website. Requirements vary by programme and change annually — this checklist covers the common core, not every programme's unique additions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main Danish Government scholarship for non-EU students?

The Danish Government Scholarships for non-EU/EEA students are administered by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education. These cover full tuition and provide a monthly stipend of approximately DKK 9,700 (around USD 1,400). They are awarded through individual universities, not a central application — you apply for admission to a programme and indicate scholarship interest. Availability varies by institution.

Do African students pay tuition in Denmark?

Yes. Non-EU/EEA students pay tuition at Danish universities, typically ranging from DKK 45,000 to DKK 120,000 per year (USD 6,500–17,000) depending on the institution and programme. This makes scholarships essential for most African applicants. DTU and CBS are at the higher end of the range; University of Copenhagen is variable by programme.

What fields is Denmark particularly strong in for African students?

Denmark excels in engineering and technology (DTU is world-class), business and economics (CBS is one of Europe's top business schools), sustainable energy (wind power, green transition), design and architecture, food science, and life sciences. Danish universities also have strong development studies programmes relevant to African career paths.

When should I apply for Danish universities?

Most international Master's programmes in Denmark have a January 15 or March 1 application deadline for September intake. Some programmes have rolling admissions. Apply early as scholarship slots are limited. Danish universities use a centralised admissions system (optagelse.dk) for some programmes.

What is the cost of living in Denmark?

Copenhagen is expensive. Students should budget DKK 9,000–13,000/month (USD 1,300–1,875) in Copenhagen, covering rent, food, transport, and personal costs. Student housing (kollegium) is subsidised but competitive — apply immediately after admission. Cities like Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg are 15–25% cheaper than Copenhagen.

Can African students work in Denmark while studying?

Yes. Students from non-EU countries with a valid student residence permit can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time in June, July, and August. Danish minimum wages are among the highest in Europe, making part-time work financially meaningful.

Is Danish language required to study in Denmark?

No, not for international programmes. The majority of Master's programmes at Danish universities are in English. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 88–90 is the standard requirement. Danish language knowledge becomes useful for part-time work and integration but is not an academic requirement for English-medium programmes.