Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees

All EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are exempt from payment of tuition fees.

Students liable to pay tuition fees

All non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (including students holding a British national overseas passport) are liable to pay tuition fees.

Exempt from payment of tuition fees are students:

on a bilateral exchange agreement.
holding a permanent residence permit in Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands).
holding a temporary residence permit “with a view to” or “with the possibility of” permanent residency in Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), cf. Ministerial Order no. 1272 of 12 November 2018 on funding and auditing at the universities (up to and including 30 June 2019).
who are 'permanently resident' in one of the other Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland), cf. Article 1 of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Order No 54 of 17 June 1999 between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden regarding access to further education, provided they maintain their official, permanent residence in that country while enrolled at Aarhus University, which means they cannot actually move to Denmark while studying. Before the commencement of each semester, applicants and students must provide documentation of the continued official residence in the other Nordic country e.g. by submitting documentation of their tax liability in that country.
has been granted a temporary residence permit cf. section 7(1) and section 8(1) of the Danish Aliens Act (convention refugees) or section 7(2) and section 8(2) (foreigners with protection status), cf. executive order of amendment no. 231 of 3 December 2019 on funding and auditing at the universities.
has been granted a temporary residence permit cf. section 9b(1) of the Danish Aliens Act (foreigners with humanitarian protection status), cf. executive order of amendment no. 231 of 3 December 2019 on funding and auditing at the universities.

with a residence permit granted on the grounds of family reunification, cf. section 9(1) or 9c(1) of the Danish Aliens Act as a consequence of a familial relationship to a foreigner with a residence permit pursuant to section 7(1) or (2) or section 8(1) or (2), cf. executive order of amendment no. 231 of 12 March 2019 on funding and auditing at the universities.
having become EU citizens pursuant to the Executive Order on Residence in Denmark for Aliens Falling within the Rules of the European Union (EU Residence Order).
having been granted a full scholarship pursuant to the Ministerial Order on Scholarships with Grants to Cover Living Costs Incurred at Universities (Scholarship and Grant Order);
children of workers from non-EU/EEA countries having been granted a residence permit pursuant to Section 9M (previously 9C) of the Danish Aliens Act and whose parents have been granted residence permits pursuant to Section 9A of the Danish Aliens Act.
with a dual citizenship (EU/EEA + non EU/EEA) who decide to enter Denmark as an EU/EEA citizen (using both citizenships to enter Denmark is not possible).

Payment and study residence permit

You cannot obtain a study residence permit in Denmark without having paid your tuition fees. Aarhus University is not allowed to inform The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration of your expected arrival before you have paid your tuition fees. In addition, after that date, the Agency will spend up to two months dealing with your application for a study residence permit. Thus, for you to obtain your study residence permit in due time before commencement of studies, we strongly advise you to pay your first tuition fee instalment two-three months in advance.

Documentation

If applicable, your current residence permit in Denmark must always be uploaded in your application(s) for admission in order for Aarhus University to determine whether or not you are liable to pay tuition fees.

In case of changed residence status during your enrolment, you must always notify Aarhus University and submit your new residence permit. Please use the contact information below.

Questions and contact

For further information, please contact AU Studies Administration, Admissions:

Admission to Bachelor's degree programmes: ba.admission@au.dk
Admission to Master's degree programmes: ma.admission@au.dk

Annual tuition fee rates

The tuition fee rates are determined by the university faculties and may be subject to change, also for enrolled students during their degree programme.

Tuition fee rates for non-EU/EEA students for academic year 2020-21:

Master's degree programmes

Tuition fee rates for non-EU/EEA students for academic year 2019-20:

Tuition fee rates for non-EU/EEA students for academic year 2018-19:

Terms of payment and refund policy

Valid from 1 January 2012

Payment and fees

Tuition fees are payable biannually before the start of each semester.
The instalment paid per semester corresponds to 30 ECTS credits.
Top up students must always pay for the total number of remaining ECTS for the Bachelor’s degree programme before commencement of studies.
It is not possible for full-degree students to pay tuition fees in smaller instalments.
Students with a workload in excess of 30 ECTS credits per semester are billed separately for the additional ECTS credits.
The tuition fees are paid for the total number of ECTS credits, regardless of the period of enrolment.
Students who take single-subject courses are billed for the specific single-subject ECTS credits.
Books and other course material are not included in the tuition fees.
The tuition fees payable for the individual study programmes are shown in the list of tuition fee rates.

Payment on commencement of studies (first semester)

The tuition fees must be received by the university 15 June at the latest (summer admission to Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes).
The deadline for payment of tuition fees is 1 December for winter admission to Master’s degree programmes.
The early deadline is to ensure that students obtain a study residence permit in Denmark in due time before commencement of studies.
In the case of non-payment of the tuition fees by the due date, the offer of admission is withdrawn.
No refunding of tuition fees is possible after the date of commencement of studies.
Students who receive federal aid from the U.S. government to fund their studies are not required to pay tuition until they have received their first loan disbursement, which occurs around the month of October for the autumn semester, and February for the spring semester.

Payment for subsequent semesters

As from the second semester, tuition fees must be received by the university prior to the start of the semester, i.e. by 1 September for the autumn semester and by 1 February for the spring semester.
The payment of tuition fees is for 30 ECTS credits per semester for the prescribed standard number of semesters for the completion of the degree programme. After the prescribed standard period of study, the degree programme is deemed to have been paid for, and enrolment may be prolonged without additional tuition fees being charged.
Students who are granted a credit transfer from earlier studies may be charged reduced tuition fees. The reduced tuition fees are charged for the semester in respect of which the credit transfer is granted and based on the ECTS weighting approved by the university.

Delays and special leave

Tuition fees corresponding to 30 ECTS credits are paid in advance for each semester until the degree programme has been paid for, regardless of delays relative to the prescribed standard period of study.
The tuition fees entitle students to three exam attempts in accordance with the applicable exam regulations.
No tuition fees are payable by students who have been granted special leave from the start of a semester, regardless of the period of leave. The payment of tuition fees is resumed as from the first semester following the end of the period of leave.
If special leave is granted after the first date of a semester in respect of which tuition fees have been paid, the tuition fees will not be refunded to the student, but will be transferred to the first semester following the end of the period of leave.
The study activity rules on special leave apply irrespective of the payment of tuition fees.

Payment in connection with full scholarships (tuition waiver)

Students who have been granted a full scholarship are entitled to sit three exam attempts for each course.
The tuition waiver and monthly grant is cancelled for students who do not meet the study activity requirements for retaining the scholarship as stated in the student’s scholarship letter, and such students are required to pay for the remaining ECTS credits if they wish to remain enrolled in the degree programme.
Students who have started writing their thesis, but who have been delayed relative to the prescribed period of study, are not charged for the ECTS credit weighting of the thesis. However, an agreement concerning the submission of the thesis must always be made pursuant to applicable rules.
Other terms regarding full scholarships with or without a grant to cover living costs are set out in the contract made by the student and the university (the scholarship letter).

Payment in case of changed/expired residence status in Denmark

Students who are granted a permanent residence permit in Denmark in the course of a semester will still have to pay tuition fees until the following semester if the validity of the residence permit falls after 1 March for the spring semester and after 1 October for the autumn semester.
Students who are granted a permanent residence permit in Denmark which is valid from before 1 March in the spring semester and before 1 October in the autumn semester may apply for a refund of the tuition fees paid for the relevant semester, always provided that proper documentation for the new residence permit is submitted. If the residence permit is valid from a later date, the tuition fees paid for the relevant semester are not refunded.
Applicants who at the time of application have a temporary residence permit “with a view to” or “with the possibility of” permanent residency in Denmark that expires before 1 October (for the autumn semester) and before 1 March (for the spring semester) must pay tuition fees, unless they no later than 1 April (commencement of study 1 September) or 1 November (commencement of study 1 February) provide a letter of receipt from the issuing Danish authority that they have applied for a renewal of the current residence permit in Denmark.
In the event that a student’s status changes in the course of a semester to the effect that the student no longer holds a permanent residence permit in Denmark, tuition fees must be paid from the following semester.
Students are required to provide the university with documentation of any such change of status.

Payment in case of changed residence status in the EU/EEA

Non-EU/EEA students with a residence permit in the EU/EEA, but without EU/EEA citizenship, cannot be exempted from payment of tuition fee.
Students who are granted status as an EU/EEA national, valid from before 1 March in the spring semester and before 1 October in the autumn semester, may apply for a refund of the tuition fees paid for the relevant semester, always provided that proper documentation for the new residency is submitted.
Students who change their residency status from non-EU/EEA national to EU/EEA national in the course of a semester will still have to pay tuition fees until the following semester if the validity of the change to EU/EEA national status falls after 1 March for the spring semester and after 1 October for the autumn semester.

The above is stipulated pursuant to Section 3 of the

Ministerial Order no. 598 of 8 March 2015 on Funding and Accounts, etc. at Universities.

Grants and scholarships

Please note that Aarhus University is generally unable to offer financial support to foreign students, which means that you must either have sufficient financial means to pay your tuition fees and cover your stay in Denmark or apply to your own national authorities for a study grant.

EU/EEA/Swiss students

Aarhus University does not offer any scholarships for EU/EEA/Swiss students, who should be able to support themselves.

Danish State Educations Grant and Loan Scheme ("SU")

As a rule, foreign students enrolled in Danish degree programmes are not eligible for educational support. Exceptions are made on the basis of specific conditions for refugees and relatives of refugees and for other foreign citizens provided - among other stipulations - that they have been living and working in Denmark long enough.

As far as EU rules and regulations make it possible, EU citizens can gain support from the Danish system.

Read about SU as a foreign citizen

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students

Aarhus University administers four scholarship programmes funded by the Danish state for highly qualified non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants admitted to two-year Master’s degree programmes. Aarhus University also collaborates with a small number of countries on selected national scholarship programmes.

Find information on the different types of scholarships

Tax in Denmark

Students from so-called developing countries (as defined by the Danish Tax Council) can be exempted from paying tax in Denmark.

Student loans

Aarhus University does not offer any student loan service.

Payment of scholarship

Scholarship payment procedure

This page is aimed at scholarship recipients.

A Danish state scholarship is usually a combination of a full or partly tuition waiver and a monthly scholarship towards living expenses.

Please be aware that the scholarship may not cover all your living expenses in Denmark, and that you may have to supplement your monthly scholarship with your own savings, a students loan from your home country or a student job. Especially at the beginning of you stay in Denmark, you should expect additional settling-in-costs in terms of paying a deposit for your room, buying some furniture, a bicycle or bus card, etc.

Aarhus University is not able to grant you any further financial assistance.

To receive your monthly scholarship payment, please follow the below instructions after your arrival in Denmark:

Payment to your Easy Account

In order to receive your monthly scholarship on your bank account you must have a so-called Digital Payslip (E-Boks) and a Danish NemKonto account (“Easy Account”). You can learn more about these facilities at the following websites:

Ask your mentor or our International Centre for assistance with regard to applying for a permanent Danish CPR number (social security number).

When you have received your CPR number – which may take a couple of weeks – you must set up an Easy Account with a Danish bank, which may take an additional 2-3 weeks. Aarhus University is then automatically informed of your Easy Account.

Your Danish tax card

Until you have a Danish tax card, 55 % of your scholarship is automatically deducted as tax, but regulated later when you have received your tax card.
To get a tax card, please contact the Danish Tax Authorities after your arrival in Denmark. Remember to bring your scholarship letter. The tax card is digital and information about your tax rate in Denmark will be transferred to Aarhus University electronically and connected to your CPR number and Easy Account.

Primary and secondary tax card
Residents in Denmark may earn a certain amount of money each year before having to pay tax. As a scholarship recipient, you earn more than what your tax exemption card allows you to, and you will therefore get a primary tax card and a secondary tax card. You must inform Aarhus University Salaries Office whether to use your primary or secondary tax card for the payment of your monthly scholarship. We urge you to read about the difference between primary and secondary tax card here.

If you do not actively inform Aarhus University about your preferred tax card, your monthly scholarship will automatically be connected to your secondary tax card. Please be aware that if you do not have a second income (e.g. a part-time job), this may not be the best solution for you.

Your first monthly payout

We do not expect you have set up a Danish Easy Account before your first scholarship payment is due. Instead, your first scholarship payment will be paid to your international bank account. Aarhus University will contact you well in advance of your first monthly payment and ask you for the banking information needed to make a bank transfer to your specific country.

The first payment cannot be made until the last work day before the first day of your official scholarship period. All other monthly payments will also be made in advance.

You are expected to set up a Danish Easy Account as soon as possible after your arrival in Denmark, and after that, your monthly payment will be transferred to your Easy Account.

Income tax in Denmark

As a rule, all scholarship holders must pay regular Danish income tax. Read about taxation in Denmark.

Scholarship holders from so-called developing countries may be exempted from paying income tax from their scholarship.

The income tax will be deducted before the monthly payout. If you do not have a tax card in Denmark, you must contact a tax centre to obtain one. As long as you do not have a tax card, 55 % per cent of your monthly grant will be withheld as tax, but regulated later when you have received your tax card.

Too much deducted tax will be reimbursed by Aarhus University and transferred to your Easy bank account.

You must renew your tax card for the following year at the end of each year to avoid a 55 % taxation of your scholarship from January the year after.

Read more about taxation when Coming to Denmark to study.

Apply for your tax card and possible tax exemption at your local Tax Centre.

Tax Centres - Contact information

Tax Centre Aarhus (Skattecenter Aarhus)
Lyseng Alle 1, DK - 8270 Højbjerg
For other cities with tax centres in Denmark see this page.

Office hours (may be subject to change)
Monday	10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday - Friday	10:00 - 14:00

Telephone hours (may be subject to change)
Monday	9.00 - 17.00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday	9.00 - 16.00
Friday	9.00 - 14.00

Tel: (+45) 7222 1818 (press 8 for information in English) – www.skat.dk

You can also contact the Danish tax authorities by email using this contact form.

Notify your salary administrator

Please notify your salary administrator when all the formalities regarding your permanent CPR number, Easy Account and tax card are completed, allowing your salary administrator to acquire your tax information electronically from the tax authorities and transfer your future payments to your Easy Account.

Your monthly scholarship will subsequently be regulated in accordance with your tax card and paid to your Easy account every month in advance.

Find your salary administrator here.

Study activity requirements

To retain your study permit in Denmark, your enrolment at Aarhus University and the continued payment of your monthly scholarship and tuition waiver, you are required to meet all three types of study activity requirements described below.

Your active involvement in a study programme is evaluated twice a year at the beginning of March and at the beginning of September.

1. Your study residence permit

To retain your study residence permit, the Danish Agency for International Integration and Recruitment requires you to be an active full-time student.

To be actively involved in your study programme as a full-time student, the minimum number of examinations you must sit each semester corresponds to 30 ECTS points (as a minimum).

You must make a serious effort to pass your exams. An examination attempt which the examiner has been unable to mark is not considered a serious effort, i.e. the exam result ‘BF’ (used attempt) is not accepted. Cheating at exams is not tolerated and will also not be considered a serious attempt.

Aarhus University is required to inform the Danish Agency for International Integration and Recruitment if you are not to be considered an active full-time student.

2. Your tuition waiver and monthly scholarship payment

Following the rules of the Danish grants and loan scheme:

To retain your monthly Danish state scholarship, you must never be more than 30 ECTS credits behind schedule in terms of passed exams.

Failure to meet the above study activity requirements will result in termination of your tuition waiver and monthly scholarship without the possibility of recommencing it. In this case, your continued enrolment will be conditioned on payment of tuition fees based on your remaining ECTS workload.

Students who have started writing their thesis, but who have been delayed relative to the prescribed period of study, must send a copy of their thesis contract stating their new expected end date to ma.admission@au.dk

3. Your enrolment at AU (The Study Progress Reform)

Danish universities have been obligated by Danish law to ensure faster completion times for students. Thus, as a student at Aarhus University you are always required to follow the current study activity requirements of the so-called Study Progress Reform.

To retain your active enrolment at Aarhus University, you are never allowed to be more than 45 ECTS behind schedule in terms of passed exams.

In addition, please be aware that the maximum time of study is the stipulated time of study plus 6 months.

Please consult www.students.au.dk for further information regarding the details of these regulations concerning your own study programme.

Exceptions to the study activity requirements
Exceptions to the study activity requirement with regard to your tuition waiver and monthly scholarship can be made in certain documented circumstances, such as e.g. serious illness or the death of a close relative, in which your tuition waiver and monthly scholarship can be extended by up to six months.

Written applications for an extension regarding your forthcoming semester are processed by AU Education, Admission. Email: ma.admission@au.dk

Questions and contact

Please always contact your salary administrator directly by email or telephone with any questions or problems regarding the payment of your scholarship.

Only questions regarding the conditions of your scholarship should be sent to Administrator, Annette Larsen (Ms), Admissions Office, ala@au.dk

Brexit – how will it affect you as a student?

British students applying for a full degree at Aarhus University from fall 2019

The United Kingdom has decided to leave the EU. It is yet unknown what the impact of the decision will be within the area of education, and in particular, how it may effect tuition fees for UK citizens at Danish institutions. As soon as the University has any confirmed information concerning the status of UK students, it will be posted on this website: https://international.au.dk/life/studentscomingtoau/brexit-how-will-it-affect-you-as-a-student/

Until now, UK students have not been charged tuition fees as pertaining to their EU citizen status. This may change when the UK leaves the EU. Students applying for admission in 2020 are advised to take note of the undetermined situation.

We advise UK applicants to apply before the non-EU/EEA application deadline 15 January.

And also on the page of the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science – regarding tuition fees and student grants

For full degree students currently enrolled at Aarhus University

The British government and the EU have reached an agreement on a Withdrawal Agreement, which secures rights for EU citizens in the United Kingdom and for British citizens in the EU.

If the Withdrawal Agreement is not approved and the United Kingdom leaves the EU without an agreement (the no deal-scenario), the Danish government is expected to put forward a legislative proposal to extend your existing EU rights as a student in Denmark for a transitional period.

And also on the page of the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science – regarding tuition fees and student grants

Should you have any further questions regarding admission to full degree Master’s programmes and Brexit, please contact ma.admission@au.dk.

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Revised 14.01.2020