The University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarships 2027 offer highly qualified international students the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Denmark with financial support.
The scholarship targets talented students from countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. Depending on the faculty and individual award, successful students may receive a full or partial tuition fee waiver and financial support toward basic living expenses.
Importantly, applicants do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. The University of Copenhagen automatically considers eligible non-EU/EEA applicants for the Danish Government Scholarship through the master’s admission process.
For programmes starting in September 2027, applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland must submit their master’s applications by 15 January 2027 at 23:59. The university plans to open the application portal on November 15, 2026.
Therefore, students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other eligible African countries should focus first on preparing a competitive application for an eligible University of Copenhagen Master’s programme.
University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarships 2027 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Danish Government Scholarship |
| University | University of Copenhagen |
| Country | Denmark |
| Study Level | Master’s |
| Target Group | Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students |
| Scholarship Type | Merit-based |
| Tuition Coverage | Full or partial tuition waiver, depending on the award |
| Living Expenses | May be included depending on faculty and award |
| Separate Scholarship Application | No |
| September 2027 Application Opens | November 15, 2026 |
| Admission Deadline | January 15, 2027, at 23:59 |
| Africans Eligible | Yes, subject to admission and scholarship conditions. |
About the University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarship
The Danish Government Scholarship programme enables universities in Denmark to support a limited number of highly qualified international students.
At the University of Copenhagen, the programme targets academically outstanding applicants from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
However, the university has only a limited number of scholarships. As a result, admission to a Master’s programme does not guarantee that you will receive scholarship funding.
The university primarily considers academic achievement when selecting scholarship recipients. Financial need does not serve as the main selection criterion.
Another major advantage is the automatic consideration process. Eligible applicants do not have to complete a second scholarship application. Instead, the university considers qualifying non-EU/EEA master’s applicants for available Danish government scholarship funding.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The exact financial package varies according to the faculty and the scholarship offered.
Depending on the award, a Danish Government Scholarship may provide:
- A full tuition fee waiver
- A partial tuition fee waiver
- A grant toward basic living expenses
- A combination of tuition fee coverage and living support
Therefore, applicants should not assume that every Danish Government Scholarship is fully funded.
For example, some successful applicants may receive both tuition coverage and financial support for living expenses. Others may receive only tuition coverage. In addition, certain awards may cover only part of the tuition fee.
The scholarship offer ultimately determines the financial support that each successful applicant receives.
Faculty-Specific Scholarship Coverage
Scholarship arrangements can differ significantly between faculties. Therefore, applicants should understand the funding conditions of the faculty that offers their chosen Master’s programme.
Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science has a very limited number of Danish government scholarships for outstanding non-EU/EEA MSc applicants.
Depending on the award, the scholarship can cover:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses for 22 months
However, competition for these scholarships is exceptionally strong.
For scholarship consideration, applicants generally need a bachelor’s GPA above 90% and admission to their first-priority application.
The university reports that scholarship recipients in 2025 had a minimum GPA of approximately 98%. Consequently, applicants should understand that meeting the basic eligibility criteria does not make scholarship selection likely.
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences also offers a limited number of scholarships to academically outstanding non-EU/EEA students.
Depending on the individual award, successful applicants may receive:
- Tuition fees and living expenses, or
- Tuition fee coverage only
Therefore, applicants should wait for their scholarship offer before assuming that the university will cover their living expenses.
Faculty of Humanities
The Faculty of Humanities considers eligible non-EU/EEA applicants for Danish Government Scholarships in its master’s programmes.
Importantly, applicants do not need to provide additional scholarship documents or complete a separate scholarship application.
Instead, eligible students enter scholarship consideration through the regular master’s admission process.
Faculty of Social Sciences
The Faculty of Social Sciences has particularly limited scholarship availability.
Generally, the faculty has only around two to three Danish government scholarships per year.
Moreover, these scholarships relate to the September intake. Students interested in funding should therefore pay close attention to the relevant admission deadline.
Faculty of Theology
The Faculty of Theology also has only a few Danish government scholarships, usually four or fewer each year.
However, the faculty normally offers partial tuition fee waivers rather than scholarships that cover living expenses.
As a result, applicants to theology should not assume that the scholarship provides full funding.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for a Danish Government Scholarship at the University of Copenhagen, applicants generally need to:
- Hold citizenship in a country outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland
- Apply for and gain admission to an eligible University of Copenhagen Master’s programme
- Meet the academic requirements of their chosen programme
- Qualify for a time-limited Danish residence permit for higher education
- Demonstrate an outstanding academic record
In addition, individual Master’s programmes may have their own specific admission requirements.
For example, a programme may require particular undergraduate subjects, a specific number of academic credits or proof of English-language proficiency.
Therefore, applicants should carefully review the requirements of their chosen Master’s programme before applying.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Some applicants cannot receive a Danish Government Scholarship.
Generally, applicants do not qualify if they:
- Have a legal claim to the rights of Danish citizens
- Qualify for Denmark’s State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme under the relevant rules
- Hold certain residence permits that make them ineligible under Danish scholarship regulations
Therefore, nationality alone does not determine eligibility. An applicant’s residence status and other legal conditions may also affect scholarship eligibility.
Are Cameroonians, Nigerians and Ghanaians Eligible?
Yes.
Citizens of Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana come from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. Therefore, qualified applicants from these countries can compete for the Danish Government Scholarship if they meet the admission, residence and scholarship requirements.
Likewise, applicants from other eligible African countries can qualify under the same general conditions.
The scholarship is therefore relevant to academically strong African students seeking master’s study opportunities in Denmark.
However, nationality eligibility does not guarantee funding. The University of Copenhagen has a limited number of scholarships and selects recipients mainly on academic merit.
Do You Need a Separate Scholarship Application?
No.
This is one of the most important features of the University of Copenhagen’s Danish Government Scholarships 2027.
Eligible non-EU/EEA applicants receive automatic consideration through the master’s admission process.
Therefore, there is normally:
No separate scholarship application.
Instead, applicants should concentrate on submitting a strong and complete master’s admission application.
If the university selects an applicant for a scholarship, it communicates the scholarship information directly to the candidate through the application system.
The successful candidate must then accept the scholarship within the deadline specified by the university. Otherwise, the university may offer the award to another applicant.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must hold, or be completing, a relevant Bachelor’s degree that qualifies them for their chosen Master’s programme.
However, admission requirements may differ between programmes.
Depending on the programme, the university may also consider the following:
- Bachelor’s degree subject
- Relevant academic courses
- Number of credits completed in specific subjects
- Academic performance
- English-language proficiency
- Programme-specific prerequisites
Importantly, meeting the minimum admission requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission.
Similarly, gaining admission does not guarantee a Danish Government Scholarship because the university has only a limited number of awards.
How Does the University Select Scholarship Recipients?
The University of Copenhagen primarily uses academic achievement to identify Danish Government Scholarship recipients.
In other words, financial circumstances do not determine which eligible students receive the awards.
Consequently, applicants with exceptional academic records are more competitive for scholarship consideration.
The Faculty of Science provides a particularly clear example because competition for its limited scholarships is forceful.
Therefore, students should view the Danish Government Scholarship as a highly competitive merit award rather than general financial assistance for every international student.
Application Timeline for September 2027
Applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland should carefully follow the admission timeline.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Portal Opens | November 15, 2026 |
| Master’s Application Deadline | January 15, 2027, at 23:59 |
| Separate Scholarship Application | Not required |
| Scholarship Consideration | Through the master’s admission process |
| Programme Start | September 2027 |
Regular University of Copenhagen Master’s programmes have a September intake.
Since scholarship consideration connects directly to admission, applicants who miss the master’s deadline also lose the opportunity for scholarship consideration for that intake.
Therefore, prospective applicants should prepare their documents well before January.
How to Apply for the University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarships 2027
The application process is relatively straightforward because eligible students do not complete a separate scholarship form.
Step 1: Explore Available Master’s Programmes
First, explore the Master’s programmes available at the University of Copenhagen.
Choose a programme that closely matches your Bachelor’s degree, previous coursework and academic interests.
Step 2: Check the Admission Requirements
Next, carefully review the programme-specific admission requirements.
In particular, review the required academic background, prerequisite courses, credit requirements and English-language conditions.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
After confirming your eligibility, prepare all documents required for the master’s application.
Requirements can vary between programmes. Therefore, use the requirements listed for your chosen programme, rather than assuming that every master’s degree requires the same documents.
Step 4: Submit the Master’s Application
Complete the University of Copenhagen online master’s application.
Applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland seeking September 2027 admission should submit their applications by January 15, 2027, at 23:59.
Step 5: Receive Automatic Scholarship Consideration
Finally, eligible applicants do not need to complete another scholarship application.
The university will consider qualifying candidates for available Danish government scholarships through the admission process.
Therefore, your priority should be submitting the strongest possible master’s application before the deadline.
Application Deposit for Non-EU/EEA Applicants
Applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland generally need to pay an application deposit when applying for a Master’s programme.
The University of Copenhagen currently lists an application deposit of DKK 1,120, which is approximately €150.
Applicants normally pay the deposit once per application round, even if they apply to more than one Master’s programme within the permitted application limit.
However, certain applicants may qualify for an exemption based on factors such as previous education or residence status.
Fees and exemption rules can change. Therefore, candidates should confirm the applicable amount when the 2027 application portal opens.
Important Scholarship Considerations
Before applying, prospective students should understand several important points about the scholarship.
First, the Danish Government Scholarship is not universally fully funded. The financial package varies by faculty and individual award.
Second, the University of Copenhagen has a limited number of scholarships. Therefore, admission alone does not guarantee funding.
Third, eligible candidates generally do not submit a separate scholarship application. Instead, scholarship consideration takes place through the master’s admission process.
Moreover, academic excellence plays a major role in scholarship selection.
Finally, students should consider Denmark’s living expenses when planning their studies. This is especially important for applicants who eventually receive only a tuition waiver.
Applicants should therefore wait for their official scholarship offer before deciding how much additional funding they may need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarship fully funded?
Some scholarships can cover both tuition fees and living expenses. However, other awards provide full or partial tuition fee waivers without full living support.
Therefore, applicants should avoid describing every University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarship as fully funded.
Can international students apply?
Yes. The scholarship programme targets eligible students from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Can Cameroonians apply?
Yes. Qualified Cameroonian applicants can receive consideration if they meet the admission, residence and scholarship requirements.
Can Nigerians and Ghanaians apply?
Yes. Qualified applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can also receive consideration under the general eligibility rules.
Is there a separate scholarship application?
No. Eligible non-EU/EEA applicants receive automatic scholarship consideration through their master’s admission application.
Is the scholarship available for Bachelor’s programmes?
The University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarships discussed in this article apply to eligible master’s degree applicants. Applicants should not confuse them with undergraduate funding opportunities.
What is the scholarship deadline?
There is no separate scholarship application deadline.
For applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland seeking September 2027 entry, the relevant master’s admission deadline is January 15, 2027, at 23:59.
When does the application portal open?
The application portal for non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants seeking September 2027 entry is scheduled to open on November 15, 2026.
Final Note
The University of Copenhagen Danish Government Scholarships 2027 offer academically outstanding international students an opportunity to pursue master’s studies in Denmark with financial support.
Depending on the faculty and individual award, successful students may receive a full or partial tuition fee waiver and support toward living expenses.
Moreover, eligible applicants generally do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. Instead, the university considers them through the master’s admission process.
Students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other eligible African countries can compete for these scholarships if they meet the relevant requirements.
For September 2027 admission, the application portal is scheduled to open on November 15, 2026. Applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland should then submit their applications by 23:59 on 15 January 2027.
Because the scholarships are highly competitive, applicants should use the months before the portal opens to identify suitable programmes, check programme-specific requirements and prepare a strong admission application.
Official Links
University of Copenhagen – Scholarships for Full-Degree Students:
https://www.ku.dk/studies/admission/scholarships-for-full-degree-students
University of Copenhagen – Master’s Application and Admission:
https://www.ku.dk/studies/masters/application-and-admission/tution-fees-and-scholarships
