Aarhus University Danish State Scholarship 2026: Automatic Tuition Waiver for Non-EU Master’s Students in Denmark

Denmark is one of Europe’s most respected higher education destinations, with strong universities, a high standard of living, and an academic culture that genuinely values research and critical thinking. For non-EU students, the main barrier to studying there has traditionally been tuition fees. The Danish State Scholarship at Aarhus University is the mechanism that removes that barrier for the most qualified international applicants, and the application process could not be simpler.

You do not need to apply separately. Every non-EU student who applies for admission to Aarhus University by the specified deadline is automatically considered for a Danish State Scholarship. No extra forms, no separate application, no additional documentation. Your admissions application is your scholarship application.

What Is Aarhus University?

Aarhus University (AU) is Denmark’s second-largest university and one of the country’s leading research institutions, consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. Located in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, on the Jutland peninsula, it offers a wide range of Master’s programmes taught in English across arts, science, business, social sciences, and technical disciplines.

The Danish state scholarship programme at AU is not funded by the university itself;  it is funded by the Danish government through a structural mechanism designed to attract talented non-EU students to Danish higher education. This means the funding is institutionally stable and not subject to year-to-year fundraising uncertainty.

What the Scholarship Covers

Scholarship content varies by faculty. There are two main types:

For Arts and Business/Social Sciences students: You receive both a full tuition waiver and a monthly living grant, typically for the duration of your Master’s programme. This is the more comprehensive package and makes these programmes financially viable for most non-EU students.

For Natural and Technical Sciences students: You receive a full tuition fee waiver but no living grant. If selected, you will need to fund your own living costs — typically €900–€1,200 per month in Aarhus. If your admission decision depends on receiving a scholarship, the university advises not to decline your offer until the final scholarship determination deadline (1 April for summer admission, 1 November for winter admission).

Who Is Eligible

Non-EU/EEA students only. The scholarship is specifically for students liable to pay tuition fees,  meaning non-EU and non-EEA applicants. EU, EEA, and Swiss students cannot apply for Danish State Scholarships at AU. However, EU/EEA students may be eligible for the Danish State Educational Grant (SU).

Master’s degree applicants. The scholarship is for Master’s programmes at Aarhus University. PhD scholarships have a separate structure; contact the relevant Graduate School directly if you are considering a PhD.

Indonesian students have a specific additional option: the Beasiswa Reguler LPDP Indonesian government scholarship covers tuition fees, living costs, and support fees for Indonesian students admitted to Aarhus University. Apply through beasiswalpdp.kemenkeu.go.id alongside your AU admissions application.

Canadian students can use Canadian student loan schemes. AU is registered with Canadian tax authorities.

American students — note that as of the 2025-26 academic year, Aarhus University no longer administers the US Federal Direct Loan Program. AU can perform enrollment confirmation for students carrying loans from previous studies, but new US Federal Direct Loans are not available for study at AU.

How to Apply: It Really Is Automatic

Step 1: Apply for admission to a Master’s programme at Aarhus University through the university’s online application portal.

Step 2: Submit your application by the specified deadline:

• Summer admission (September start): 15 January
• Winter admission (February start): 15 September

Applications submitted after these deadlines will not be considered for scholarships, even if late applications are accepted for admission.

Step 3: Wait. AU automatically assesses every eligible application for scholarship consideration alongside the academic assessment. You receive either a scholarship offer or a tuition fee notification along with your letter of admission.

Step 4: If offered a scholarship, accept promptly. There is a very short deadline to accept scholarship offers; missing it means losing the award.

Realistic Expectations: How Competitive Is This?

Be honest with yourself about what this scholarship programme is and is not.

Typically, only one or two scholarships are offered per Master’s programme at AU. This is a very small number relative to the total applicant pool for most programmes. Some faculties place strategic focus on selected programmes or applicants from specific countries — meaning the selection is not purely based on academic merit across all applicants simultaneously.

The selection process prioritises excellent academic qualifications from the academically qualified pool. Being academically strong is necessary but not sufficient; the limited numbers mean many qualified applicants do not receive scholarships.

The upside: because no separate application is required, the cost of being considered is zero. Applying for admission to AU is simultaneously applying for the scholarship. If you were planning to apply to AU anyway, there is no downside to being in the scholarship pool.

Key Dates

Do not decline your AU offer before the final scholarship decision date if your decision depends on receiving a scholarship; some awards are made late in the process as earlier offers are declined.

Why Aarhus: An Honest Assessment

For non-EU students who receive the full scholarship (tuition waiver plus living grant), studying at Aarhus University is genuinely excellent value. The university’s research quality is strong, Aarhus is a livable and internationally engaged city, and a Danish Master’s degree carries full EU academic recognition.

For students who receive a tuition waiver only, particularly in Natural or Technical Sciences, you need to independently fund approximately €10,000–€14,000 per year in living costs. This is manageable with savings, part-time work (international students can work up to 20 hours per week in Denmark), or complementary funding from your home country.

For students who receive no scholarship, full international tuition at AU runs approximately DKK 90,000–140,000 per year ($13,000–$20,000 USD equivalent). Factor this into your planning if you are applying without a guarantee of scholarship selection.

FAQ

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship? No. Every eligible applicant who applies for admission by the deadline is automatically considered. No additional form is required.

Can Nigerian and African students apply? Yes. Non-EU/EEA students from any country, including Nigeria and all African nations, are eligible for the Danish State Scholarship consideration.

Is there a monthly living grant for all scholarship recipients? Only for Arts and Business/Social Sciences students. Natural and Technical Sciences students receive tuition waivers only, without a living grant.

What happens if I am not selected for a scholarship? You receive a tuition fee notification instead of a scholarship offer. You then decide whether to proceed with paying tuition or decline your offer.

Where do I apply for admission? Through Aarhus University’s online application portal at au.dk/admissions. The scholarship is automatically assessed alongside your application.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Aarhus University Danish State Scholarship 2026: Automatic Tuition Waiver for Non-EU Master’s Students in Denmark