Academic Calendar

Intakes & Application Timelines in Denmark

Plan your application strategy with our guide to Denmark's university intake periods, application deadlines, and critical timelines for international students.

Denmark Academic Calendar

2027-28

Annual Intake Periods

September intake (The main intake. Classes start 1 September.)

February intake (Some programmes only.)

Next Big Deadline

15 January 2027: last day to apply for a master's starting September 2027 at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Aalborg University (AAU). This is for students from outside the European Union (EU), such as India and Pakistan.

Most Danish programmes start in September. Some start in February.

Intake Periods

Intakes in Denmark

Denmark has two start months (intakes). September is the main one.

Primary Intake

September intake

Starts 1 September 2027

Key Information

All master's programmes at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) start in September.
The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) semester starts 1 September.
At DTU, you can ask to skip the tuition fee (a tuition fee waiver) only for September, not February.

Application Period

Master's: opens 15 November (UCPH) or 1 December (DTU) 2026, closes 15 January 2027. Bachelor's: closes 15 March 2027 at 12 noon Danish time.

Students from outside the EU apply by the first, earlier deadline.

Limited

February intake

Starts in February

Key Information

Only some programmes.
Only some programmes.

Application Period

Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Aarhus University (AU): for a February start, the deadline is 15 September of the year before, for students from outside the EU.

The February 2027 round closed on 15 September 2026.

Tip

Choose September if you can. It has the most programmes, and it is the start where scholarships are given.

Critical Timelines

Your Timeline for September 2027

Key steps for a master's student from India or Pakistan. Your adviser can tell you the exact steps for your country.

October to December 2026

Prepare

Take your English test and get your papers stamped as true copies and translated.

What to do

• Book the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• Get your mark sheets (transcripts) stamped as true copies and translated into English.

15 Nov to 1 Dec 2026

Portals open

UCPH opens 15 November 2026. DTU opens 1 December 2026.

What to do

• Create your accounts.
• Pay the fee for applying, if the university charges one.

15 January 2027

Master's deadline

Applications, documents and test results due.

What to do

• Send it by 11:59 pm Danish time (CET) at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and Aalborg University (AAU).
• If you ask the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) to waive your tuition fee, add your waiver statement.

March to May 2027

Answers and tuition

The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) replies by 13 March 2027. Aalborg University (AAU) replies by 10 April 2027.

What to do

• Pay your tuition (the fee to study) by the date the university gives.
• Start your residence permit application (the permit that lets you live and study in Denmark).

After you get a place

Residence permit

Normally 2 months.

What to do

• Pay the permit fee: DKK 3,060 (Danish krone).
• Give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) within 14 days.

Before you fly

Housing

Do not travel in August or September without a room.

What to do

• Sign a contract.
• Pay the deposit (money you pay first to hold the room) by bank transfer.

1 September 2027

Start

Arrive and register your address.

What to do

• Within 5 days of getting a home, register your address. You then get your CPR number (your Danish personal ID number).
• Join your welcome week.

Deadlines Are Exact

English test results and documents must reach the university by the deadline. DTU does not make exceptions. Fees are in Danish krone (DKK).

Academic Structure

How the Study Year Works

A study year is 60 credits. These are called ECTS credits (European study credits). A master's is usually 2 years, or 120 ECTS credits.

Semesters

Most programmes have an autumn and a spring semester.

Key Dates

Autumn semester starts

1 September (DTU)

Academic Structure

2 semesters a year

Special Academic Periods & Considerations

Beyond the standard academic calendar, there are several special periods and features to be aware of

Introduction week

DTU holds a welcome week for new master's students the week before the semester.

Summer

In June, July and August, students with a residence permit may work full time.

Tip

Book housing early. Rooms in big cities are hard to find in August and September.

Application Planning

Bachelor's and Master's Compared

The two routes have different portals and dates.

Application Process	Undergraduate Students	Graduate Students	International Students
Where you apply	Optagelse.dk (the national website for bachelor's applications)	Each university	Same for students from India and Pakistan
Deadline	15 March 2027, 12 noon	15 January 2027 (UCPH, DTU, AAU)	These dates are for students from outside the EU, like India and Pakistan.
Answer	28 July 2027	March to May 2027	-
How many choices	Up to 8 programmes	Up to 3 at UCPH and AAU	-