How can I lower my costs while studying in Denmark as an international student?
International students can cut costs in Denmark by choosing public universities, applying for scholarships, living in cheaper cities like Aalborg or Odense, sharing accommodation, cooking at home, using student discounts, buying used books and working part time. Together these steps can meaningfully lower your monthly and yearly spend.
You can reduce the cost of studying in Denmark by choosing public universities, applying for scholarships, living in a cheaper city and sharing accommodation. Small habits like cooking at home add up too. Here is where the savings are.
Where you can save
| Strategy | Potential saving or benefit |
|---|---|
| Public universities | Tuition of roughly 6,000 to 20,000 (approx INR 6.56 to 21.85 L) a year, varying by programme and usually lower than private institutions |
| Scholarships | Danish Government Scholarships and Erasmus+ can offer tuition waivers plus stipends of 800 to 1,200 (approx INR 87,408 to 1.31 L) a month |
| Sharing accommodation | Rent can drop from 600 to 1,200 (approx INR 65,556 to 1.31 L) to 400 to 700 (approx INR 43,704 to 76,482) a month |
| Student discounts | Save 50 to 100 (approx INR 5,463 to 10,926) a month on transport, food and culture |
| Cooking at home | Save 100 to 200 (approx INR 10,926 to 21,852) a month compared with eating out |
| Used books | Save 100 to 200 (approx INR 10,926 to 21,852) a year |
City choice, insurance and part-time work
- Aalborg costs EUR 800 to 1,000 (approx INR 87,408 to 1.09 L) per month and Odense EUR 900 to 1,200 (approx INR 98,334 to 1.31 L), against EUR 1,200 to 1,800 (approx INR 1.31 to 1.97 L) in Copenhagen.
- Health insurance can cost about EUR 120 (approx INR 13,111) per month, though non-EU students registered in the CPR system typically get free public healthcare.
- Part-time work can pay EUR 12 to 15 (approx INR 1,311 to 1,639) per hour, and monthly earnings of EUR 800 to 1,200 (approx INR 87,408 to 1.31 L) are possible within the legal working hours.
- Tracking your expenses can save EUR 50 to 100 (approx INR 5,463 to 10,926) a month.
My Advice
Pick the two or three changes that fit you best, such as a cheaper city and shared housing, and plan scholarship applications early. Check the working hour limit for your permit before you count on part-time income.
How much will a month in Denmark cost you?
Rent, food and travel. A real monthly budget, city by city.
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