Life As An International Student Living in Denmark

One of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make is where to study. So many countries have fantastic study facilities and offer a unique living experience, so how can you possibly choose? Well, if you’ve read this far then we can assume that the beautiful country of Denmark is on your list of potential countries.

That’s where we come in! At Nido, we want to help make your student life as hassle-free and plain-sailing as possible, and that includes supporting you with decisions before you even start university. This is why we’ve put together a quick guide to living as an international student in Denmark.

Denmark has world-renowned study facilities, excellent healthcare, brilliant transport and a thriving culture. It’s one of the best possible places to study as an international student and we’re going to show you why. We’ll cover the following topics:

• Living in Denmark as an international student
• The best Denmark universities for international students
• Studying in Denmark – what to expect as an international student
• Living expenses in Denmark for international students

So, get ready for a whistlestop tour of life as an international student in Denmark!

Living in Denmark as an International Student

If you’re reading this because you’ve chosen to move to Denmark to study then congratulations, you’ve made one of the most exciting and brilliant choices of your life! Denmark is world-renowned as being one of the safest and happiest places in the world. 

When it comes to studying in Denmark, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re also known for their very high quality of life and advanced education. Sounds like a dream right?

Living in Denmark as a student means that you get to immerse yourself into Danish culture and uncover all the hidden treasures of this beautiful country. From exploring Danish cities, to enjoying traditional delicacies, there’s so much you can do to embrace Denmark’s way of life when you study here.

One of the most important things to understand is the living expenses in Denmark for international students. We understand that money is one of the biggest aspects when deciding where to study because you’ll have budgets that you need to stick to.

While the cost of living in Denmark is generally slightly higher than other European countries, it depends on a number of factors including:

• Which city you’re studying in
• Location and type of accommodation
• Eating habits/dietary requirements
• How much you intend to travel around Denmark

Don’t worry though, thousands of students study in Denmark every year, with many international students among them so they’re well-equipped for supporting students with living expenses.

Denmark caters for all budgets as they have a wide range of accommodation options, food types, public transport and more! Denmark also has brilliant student discounts that you can use for food, transport, shopping and other things on a daily basis. For more information on living expenses in Denmark for international students, check out our recent blog on the cost of living in Denmark, where you can find details about the average costs of transport, accommodation, food and healthcare.!

There’s so much to learn about Denmark for international students, and we want to help start you off with 3 fun facts:

• Cycling – Danish cities are very bicycle friendly so you can get around easily and quickly! In fact, there are over 12,000km of cycle routes throughout Denmark for you to explore. The cycle routes are ideal for living in Denmark as a student because they can help you stick to your budget by saving money rather than using other means of transport.

• Island central – Did you know, Denmark is made up of 406 islands? That’s right, 406 individual islands! You can never be more than 50KM from the sea. Studying in Denmark means that you can spend your free time going on adventures with your new university friends to explore many of these beautiful islands.

• Home of lego – Our inner child is screaming with excitement right now! Lego originated in Billund, Denmark which is home to not 1 but 2 amazing Lego attractions. Legoland is a Lego-themed theme park that’s ideal if you’re a thrill seeker. Lego house is an engaging attraction for people of all ages where you can enjoy building zones, interactive exhibitions and lots of colour everywhere you turn!

Want to find out more about what brilliant things you can get up to while living in Denmark as a student? Read our recent guide on the best things to do in Denmark.

The Best Denmark Universities For International Students

Have you decided that you want to study in Denmark but are unsure of the best Denmark universities for international students? That’s okay, we’ve got you covered!

Studying in Denmark is a unique and wonderful experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. As with studying in your home country, you need to choose the university that suits your needs the best. This may mean something different to you than it does to other students because everyone is different. Here are some things you should take into consideration when searching for the best Denmark university for international students:

• What courses do they offer?
• How does the course you want to study at one university compare to the same course at a different university?
• Location
• Scholarship and bursary opportunities
• Student accommodation options
• Social life (societies, local nightlife and more)

The best Denmark universities for international students are the ones that will give you the ultimate student experience, from engaging modules and excellent facilities to an exciting social life! Denmark is consistently ranked in the top 5 countries for student satisfaction, so we hope that wherever you choose to study in Denmark, you’ll love every second of it.

According to satisfaction, research, teaching standards and more, here are our top 3 best Denmark universities for international students:

• University of Copenhagen – One of the best Denmark universities for international students for its incredible location and world-class teaching. Being able to study in the heart of Denmark is any student’s dream. You can immerse yourself into Copenhagen’s vibrant culture while also being taught by world-renowned experts. The University of Copenhagen is without a doubt Denmark’s most prestigious university!
  
• Aarhus University – Established in 1928, Aarhus University has been one of Denmark’s leading universities for almost 100 years! If you want to study art as an international student, Aarhus University is definitely a top choice, although they have brilliant courses in many areas such as business, health and technical sciences. Aarhus University also has excellent scholarship opportunities for international students.
  
• Technical University of Denmark – While there is only one course available to study in English, TUD makes the top 3 list because it has excellent facilities for students who want to specialise in technical sciences, such as engineering. TUD also has a high percentage of international students which means you’ll be surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through and can support you with settling into living in Denmark as a student!

Studying in Denmark – What to Expect as an International Student

So, you know about some of the amazing attractions in Denmark and the prestigious study facilities, what about Denmark’s wonderful culture? It’s really important to understand what to expect as an international student studying in Denmark because it’s going to be your new home for the next few years. 

You’ll be pleased to know that Denmark is renowned for its rich and vibrant culture, with something to discover around every corner. When you’re living in Denmark as a student, you can expect to feel welcomed and celebrated for being you! That’s right, Denmark prides itself on its inclusive culture, making it the ideal place for international students to study.

Denmark is also the birthplace of Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’). It roughly translates to ‘cosiness’ but is so much more than that! For Danish people, Hygge is often considered a lifestyle and it describes a general mood of contentment and wellness.

The sentiment of Hygge is shared around Denmark all year around, but it’s especially important around Christmas. Winters in Denmark can be particularly dark and cold, but they ensure people still feel cosy through putting up lights, sharing blankets and enjoying mulled wine (gløgg)!

So, if you want to study in a country that centres itself around the ideas of cosiness, wellness, contentment and togetherness (and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t), living in Denmark as a student is the right choice for you.

Still Looking For That Perfect Student Accommodation in Denmark?