Funding your studies in Denmark: A Guide for Latin American Students

Picture this: You just found the study program of your dreams in one of the most peaceful countries in the world. You meet all the academic requirements and both the campus and the city look amazing— enough to make all your Instagram followers back home jealous – but it just doesn’t fit into the budget.

It’s not the end of the world and coming to study in Denmark might just be easier than you think. There are several options to help fund your studies and I’m going to walk you through them.

Aarhus University provides a limited number of scholarships for non-EU students, including those from Latin America. These scholarships are funded by the Danish state, as the university does not maintain its own independent scholarship funds and relies entirely on government financing for this purpose. There are different types of grants based on the program you apply for: 

• Faculty of Arts: Tuition fee waiver + monthly grant towards living expenses 
• Aarhus BSS: Tuition fee waiver + monthly grant towards living expenses 
• Faculty of Natural Sciences: Tuition fee waiver 
• Faculty of Technical Sciences: Tuition fee waiver 

How do I apply for a Danish State Scholarship at AU?

When you apply for admission, your application will automatically be considered for a possible scholarship alongside the academic assessment of your qualifications. Please note that scholarships are tied to specific study programs and cannot be transferred to another program. 

Did you get the Danish Government Scholarship? Great news! An additional benefit is you can also work part-time for up to 90 hours per month to supplement your income. Just remember to register for a tax account to avoid a hefty 50% deduction by the Danish tax agency.

As a scholarship recipient, you must pass every exam and course each semester. If serious circumstances require you to postpone your studies, such as illness or accidents, you should contact the admissions office at Aarhus University to discuss how this might affect your grant. You can find more information about the Danish Government Scholarship here. 

As a scholarship recipient myself, I understand that being accepted but not receiving the scholarship could be a great barrier to come and study in Denmark, however there are other opportunities available for you, and the best part? If you already hold an acceptance letter you are already ahead! 

Below are some funding opportunities for students from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Costa Rica. Most of these require proof of acceptance or enrollment and financial documents, but be sure to verify the specific requirements for each opportunity. 

Opportunities for Mexico

FUNED (Fondo de Becas para Estudios de Posgrado)  

FUNED provides financial support to Mexican students pursuing postgraduate studies at top-ranked institutions globally. It offers student loans with favorable conditions for repayment: website 

FIDERH (Fondo para el Desarrollo de Recursos Humanos) 

FIDERH is a Mexican government initiative designed to provide financing for postgraduate students who want to study at international institutions. The loan is offered at competitive interest rates and with flexible repayment options: website 

Laudex 

Laudex is a private institution that provides loans to students that would like to access postgraduate education: website 

Opportunities for Columbia

ICETEX (Instituto Colombiano de Crédito Educativo y Estudios Técnicos en el Exterior) 

ICETEX provides financing options for Colombian students pursuing higher education, both domestically and abroad. The program is designed to promote access to quality education: website 

Colfuturo (Fundación para el futuro de Colombia) 

Colfuturo is a non-profit organization that offers scholarships for Colombian students looking for postgraduate studies: website

Opportunities for Peru

PRONABEC (Programa Nacional de Becas y Crédito Educativo) 

PRONABEC offers scholarships and educational loans to Peruvian students, focusing on opportunities for postgraduate studies both in Peru and abroad. It aims to increase the quality and access to higher education: website 

Opportunities for Costa Rica

CONARE (Consejo Nacional de Rectores) 

CONARE offers various scholarships for Costa Rican students pursuing postgraduate studies both within Costa Rica and abroad, particularly in fields that contribute to the country’s development: website 

CONAPE (Comisión Nacional de Préstamos para la Educación) 

CONAPE offers educational loans to Costa Rican students who want to pursue higher education. These loans can also be used for graduate studies: website 

Opportunities for Other Countries

If you haven’t seen your country on this list don't worry, that doesn't mean there isn't an opportunity for you. I can't cover all the opportunities available for all countries, but if you do a quick search with keywords like “[your country] + funding + study abroad” you're sure to find something for you. 

Imagine you have received the Danish Government Scholarship or other support. Your next question might be “will the money be enough?” I’ll share my budget, as well as one from a former student, so that you can get an idea of how much it costs to live in Denmark. 

Financing graduate studies is just another step of the process, and as you’ve seen, there are several funding options available for Latin American students. Whether through loans, scholarships, or government programs, multiple opportunities can help you achieve your academic goals at Aarhus University. 

Make sure to carefully review each program’s eligibility criteria and deadlines to increase your chances of securing financial support. 

One last reminder. Your student residence permit allows you to work up to 90 hours per month during the academic year and full-time in June, July, and August. Many students find part-time jobs both within and outside their fields of study, which not only helps cover expenses, like that final beer on weekends out or other personal expenses, but also adds valuable work experience that employers in Denmark appreciate. 

Finally, feel free to reach out to me or any of the other student ambassadors through our chat. We’ll be happy to share our experiences and offer adivce on financial, academic or social matters!