Work · Denmark
Education
Schools, daycare & university
School System
Danish School System
The Folkeskole (public school) covers grades 0–9 (ages 6–16) and is free. There is no streaming or tracking — all abilities learn together. 16% of children attend private schools (friskoler), which receive 76% government funding. International schools are available in major cities.
- Compulsory education
- 10 years (grade 0–9, ages 6–16)
- Folkeskole tuition
- Free
- Private school (friskole) tuition
- DKK 1,500–3,000/month
- International schools (Copenhagen)
- Copenhagen International School, ISC, Rygaards
- International school tuition
- DKK 8,000–14,000/month
- Contact your municipality's school administration (Skoleforvaltningen) to enroll
- Choose between Folkeskole (free), Friskole (subsidized), or International school
- Register your child's CPR number with the chosen school
- Apply for SFO (after-school care) simultaneously — waitlists fill quickly
- Attend the mandatory parent-teacher meeting (skole-hjem samtale) each term
Official sources
Daycare Costs
Daycare & Childcare
Danish municipalities guarantee a daycare place for all children from age 26 weeks. Parents pay a maximum of 25% of the operating cost — the municipality covers the rest. A full-time daycare (vuggestue) place costs DKK 3,300–3,800/month in Copenhagen. Siblings get 50% off.
- Vuggestue (0–2 years) monthly cost
- DKK 3,533/month (Copenhagen 2026)
- Bornehave (3–5 years) monthly cost
- DKK 2,080/month (Copenhagen 2026)
- Guaranteed place from age
- 26 weeks
- Sibling discount
- 50% off for youngest child
- Application portal
- Digital Pladsanvisning via borger.dk
- Apply for a daycare place via Digital Pladsanvisning on borger.dk as soon as your child has a CPR number
- List up to 5 preferred institutions in your municipality
- Accept or decline the offered place within 10 days
- Apply for fripladstilskud (reduced fee) if household income is below DKK 609,700/year
- Register meal arrangements and pick-up authorizations on the institution's app
University
University & Higher Education
University is free for EU/EEA citizens. Non-EU students pay DKK 45,000–120,000/year in tuition. Danish students receive SU (state education grant) of DKK 6,597/month. International students with part-time work of 10–12 hours/week also qualify for SU.
- EU/EEA tuition
- Free
- Non-EU tuition range
- DKK 45,000–120,000/year
- SU grant (2026)
- DKK 6,597/month (living away from parents)
- Work required for SU (non-Danish)
- 10–12 hours/week
- Top-ranked university
- University of Copenhagen (QS #76)
- Apply through optagelse.dk (Danish-taught) or directly to the university (English-taught)
- Submit documentation of prior qualifications and language proficiency
- Apply for SU at su.dk within 1 month of enrollment if working 10–12 hours/week
- Register for the mandatory introweek (rusuge) at your faculty
- Apply for kollegium (student housing) at KKIK.dk or s.dk as early as possible
Official sources
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