Most scholarships make you write an extra essay, chase an extra reference letter and fill in an extra form. The University of Copenhagen scholarship works the other way round. There is no scholarship form at all. If you are a non-EU/EEA student applying for a Master's program there, your admission application is your scholarship application. That sounds easy, and in one sense it is. In another sense it raises the stakes, because the only thing the university has to judge you on is the admission file you send.
This guide explains how the scheme works, what it pays for, who it suits and where Pakistani applicants tend to lose marks. For a compact summary you can bookmark, see the full scholarship details on our site.
A share of Denmark's national scheme, run by one university
The University of Copenhagen administers its share of Denmark's national government scholarship scheme for non-EU/EEA Master's applicants. In practice that means the money comes through a government programme, but the university decides who in its own applicant pool receives it.
The award is a tuition fee waiver, which can be full or partial. For the strongest candidates, the university can add a living grant on top. The waiver and the living grant are two different things, and you should not assume you will get both. The living grant is reserved for top applicants specifically.
Here is the short version:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Full or partial tuition waiver, plus an optional living grant for top candidates |
| Level | Master's only |
| Fields | All fields, subject to program admission |
| Applications open | Expected October-November |
| Deadline | Around January 15, for non-EU applicants starting in the September intake |
| Country | Denmark |
| Provider | University of Copenhagen |
| Official site | ku.dk scholarships page |
Amounts are not listed here because the waiver can be full or partial and the living grant depends on how you rank. Check the official page for current figures before you plan your budget around anything.
Why the missing scholarship form changes your strategy
When there is a separate scholarship essay, a weak transcript can sometimes be rescued by a strong personal story. Here that second chance does not exist. The committee looks at the same transcripts, CV and English proof that the admissions team sees, and the scholarship decision follows from that.
So the practical question is simple: how strong is your Master's application to this specific program? If your file is borderline for admission, it is unlikely to be competitive for funding. If your file is excellent, you are in the running without lifting another finger, provided you meet the deadline.
My honest view is that this scheme suits Pakistani students with a genuinely strong academic record who already want a Copenhagen Master's for its own sake. It suits students less well if they are applying mainly to see whether money appears. A partial waiver still leaves you paying the rest of the tuition, and Copenhagen is an expensive city to live in. The university is Denmark's top-ranked, and the city is one of Europe's most livable capitals, but livable does not mean cheap.
What the waiver and living grant actually pay for
The scholarship covers two things:
- A full or partial tuition fee waiver
- An optional living grant, given only to top candidates
Nothing in the published information mentions flights, visa fees, insurance or a settling-in allowance, so do not count on any of those. If you receive a partial waiver and no living grant, you will need to show you can fund the remaining tuition and your living costs yourself. For many Pakistani families that is the point where the plan either holds or falls apart, so work out your numbers early. Our guide to bank statements and proof of funds covers how to prepare that side.
Are Pakistani students eligible?
Yes. The scheme is for non-EU/EEA citizens, and Pakistan falls in that group. The full list of requirements is short:
- You are a non-EU/EEA citizen
- You have a strong academic record
- You are admitted to a University of Copenhagen Master's program
"Strong academic record" is not defined with a fixed GPA cutoff in the information available. Treat it as relative. You are being compared with other non-EU applicants to the same program, and only some of them will be funded. Program entry requirements (specific bachelor's subjects, credits and so on) vary by program, so read your program's own admission page carefully.
The single application file, and what goes in it
Because there is no separate scholarship form, the document list is the standard Master's application:
- Transcripts
- CV
- Proof of English proficiency
Your program may ask for more than this, so treat these three as the minimum. For Pakistani applicants, the slow part is usually getting transcripts and degrees in order. If your documents need attestation, start that process before applications open rather than after. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains the steps.
A few things make a real difference in a file like this. Make your CV specific to the program you are applying for: relevant coursework, research, projects and work that connect to the Master's. Make sure your transcripts are complete and clearly legible, with any grading scale explained. And sort out your English test well ahead of time so you are not waiting on a result in the last week.
How to apply
- Choose your University of Copenhagen Master's program and check its specific entry requirements.
- Prepare your transcripts, CV and English proficiency proof, plus anything else the program asks for.
- Submit your admission application once the window opens, expected in October-November.
- Make sure it is in by the deadline, around January 15, for the September intake.
- Wait for your admission decision. You are automatically considered for the scholarship alongside it. There is no extra form.
The scholarships page on the University of Copenhagen website is the place to confirm current rules and dates.
Applying in October rather than January
The window is expected to open in October-November, and the deadline is around January 15 for non-EU applicants aiming for a September start. The deadline is given as approximate, so confirm the exact date on the official portal for your year and program.
Scholarship consideration is tied directly to your admission timeline. That is the main reason to apply well before the deadline. A file submitted early gives you time to fix a missing document or a problem with a transcript. A file submitted in the last days leaves you no room if something goes wrong, and a late or incomplete admission application means no scholarship consideration either.
A realistic plan for a Pakistani student: settle on your program and order transcripts by September, get your English test done by October, submit in November or December, and keep January as a buffer, not a target.
Mistakes that cost applicants funding
The first is assuming there is a later scholarship round. There is no separate form and no second chance after the admission deadline. If you miss it, you miss both.
The second is putting all the effort into the statement and none into the evidence. With no scholarship essay, your grades, CV and English proof carry the weight. The living grant goes to top applicants, so aim to stand out academically rather than just meet the minimum.
The third is treating a partial waiver as full funding. Plan for the scenario where you receive a partial waiver and no living grant. If you could not go under those terms, decide that before you accept an offer, not after.
The fourth is relying on old information. The details here were last verified in May 2026, and dates or rules can change from year to year. Check the official page before you submit. If you are also weighing other options in the country, browse all Denmark scholarships so you can compare.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a separate scholarship application?
No. You are automatically considered when you apply for Master's admission by the deadline.
Can I get this scholarship for a bachelor's or PhD?
No. It is for Master's applicants only.
Does the scholarship cover living costs?
Sometimes. The main award is a full or partial tuition waiver. A living grant is added only for top candidates, so plan your finances as if you will not receive it.
Is it limited to certain subjects?
No. All fields are eligible, subject to admission to the program you choose.
When should I submit my application?
Applications are expected to open in October-November, with the deadline around January 15 for the September intake. Submit well before the deadline and confirm the exact date on the official portal.
For current rules and dates, check the official University of Copenhagen scholarships page, and keep our University of Copenhagen scholarship page handy for the summary.