DENMARK · ODENSE
University of Southern Denmark
public · Founded 1966 · Languages: da, en
In short
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) is a comprehensive research university with campuses across Southern Denmark, offering over 200 programs, many in English. It is QS-ranked globally and provides tuition-free study for EU/EEA students, with fees for non-EU/EEA students and scholarship opportunities available.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1966
- Students
- 27,000
- International students
- 3,500
- Acceptance rate
- 45%
- Tuition (intl)
- €11–18k/yr
- Languages
- DA, EN
- Location
- Odense, Denmark
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) is a comprehensive public research university founded in 1966, with its principal campus in Odense and five further campuses across Southern Denmark. SDU offers over 200 programmes in sciences, engineering, health, humanities, social sciences, and business — many taught entirely in English. It ranks among Denmark's top universities and holds a QS World Ranking of approximately 303, reflecting strong research output in quantum mathematics, green energy, robotics, and molecular biology. EU/EEA students study tuition-free; non-EU students pay annual fees starting around EUR 10,800.
Why study here
- QS-ranked ~303 globally — one of Denmark's leading research universities
- Broad English-taught portfolio at Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels
- EU/EEA students pay zero tuition; Danish Government Scholarships available for top non-EU applicants
- Located in Odense, heart of the world's densest robotics cluster, offering exceptional industry connections
- Strong Erasmus+ network and international double-degree agreements
Student life
SDU's Odense campus is a lively hub with student bars, sports facilities, libraries, and a strong student association (SDU Student Council). The city of Odense — birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen — offers affordable living, a compact cycling-friendly layout, and a growing creative and tech scene. The Sønderborg and Vejle campuses offer smaller, community-oriented environments close to nature and the German border.
Fees
InternationalNon-EU/EEA students: EUR 10,800–18,000 per year depending on faculty (Humanities from EUR 10,800; Engineering/Science typically EUR 14,000–18,000).
HomeEU/EEA students and those with permanent Danish residence: free (no tuition fees).
LivingEstimated EUR 900–1,200/month in Odense (lower than Copenhagen), covering room, food, transport, and personal expenses.
Tuition must be paid in full for the first year upfront (from September 2026 intake). Danish Government Scholarships cover full tuition for eligible non-EU students in selected STEM programmes.
Admissions
Upper-secondary qualificationDanish HF/STX equivalent or internationally recognised leaving certificate
English requirement (Bachelor's)English at Danish Level B through upper-secondary examination; IELTS/TOEFL generally not accepted at Bachelor's level
English requirement (Master's)IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88 typically required for non-native speakers
Transcripts & translationsAll documents must be in English or Scandinavian; certified translations required otherwise
IELTS6.5 (Master's level)
TOEFL iBT88 (Master's level)
Cambridge C1 AdvancedAccepted
Rankings
QS World University Rankings303
University scholarships
Danish Government ScholarshipFull tuition waiver (2 or 3 years) for top non-EU applicants to selected STEM programmes at Sønderborg/Vejle campuses
SDU Excellence ScholarshipPartial tuition reduction; merit-based for outstanding non-EU applicants
Accreditation
Accredited by the Danish Accreditation Institution (DAKI); member of the European University Association (EUA).
Programs
a selectionUniversity of Southern Denmark · Denmark
Artificial Intelligence, BSc
The Bachelor's programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI) equips you with the skills to develop and apply AI tools and methods. AI involves creating machines that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. This field is rapidly evolving and is already integrated into daily life, from streaming service recommendations to drone technology. The programme focuses on the theory, development, and application of AI, including machine learning, logic, programming, algorithms, mathematics, and ethics. You'll gain knowledge about data, information, and software, learning how AI can solve real-world problems. No prior programming knowledge is required, but a strong aptitude for logical and mathematical thinking is essential.
Bachelor's
Level
€17k
Tuition
36 mo
Duration
University of Southern Denmark · Denmark
Bachelor Admission at University of Southern Denmark
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) offers a range of Bachelor's programs for international students. Admission requirements are assessed based on your educational background and may include specific subject requirements. For non-EU/EEA citizens, and some EU/EEA citizens whose grades cannot be converted to the Danish system, an admission test (uniTEST) is a mandatory part of the application process. International students, typically those from outside the EU/EEA, are generally required to pay tuition fees. The fee varies by faculty, with rates starting from EUR 10,800 per year for Humanities programs. Specific rates for other faculties such as Business and Social Sciences, Health, Science, and Engineering are also available. Applications are submitted through the official Danish application system, optagelse.dk, and the main deadline for September intake is March 15th at noon CET. It is crucial to upload all required documentation accurately and on time.
Bachelor's
Level
€11k
Tuition
36 mo
Duration
University of Southern Denmark · Denmark
BSc in Engineering - Software Engineering
Become a software engineer and play a vital role in shaping the future. This Bachelor's degree program focuses on developing software solutions that meet the needs of organizations and users. You will learn to identify user requirements, generate innovative ideas, and engineer effective software. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical project work, often in collaboration with industry partners, preparing you for a dynamic and evolving field.
Bachelor's
Level
€17k
Tuition
36 mo
Duration
University of Southern Denmark · Denmark
Degree Constrained 2-Partitions of Semicomplete Digraphs
This research paper investigates the complexity of partitioning semicomplete digraphs. A 2-partition divides the vertices of a digraph into two non-empty sets. The study focuses on determining if such partitions can satisfy specific properties within each subset, particularly concerning minimum out-degree, minimum in-degree, or minimum semi-degree. The paper builds upon previous work that analyzed these problems for general digraphs, many of which were found to be NP-complete. This research explores whether these problems remain NP-complete for the more structured class of semicomplete digraphs. Key findings include identifying conditions under which these 2-partition problems are NP-complete for semicomplete digraphs. Conversely, the paper also presents algorithms that efficiently solve certain 2-partition problems for semicomplete digraphs with bounded independence numbers or specific degree constraints. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the computational complexity of graph partitioning problems in specific graph classes.
PhD
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Scholarships
for Denmark
full fundingUniversity of Copenhagen (UCPH), Department of Computer Science
University of Copenhagen PhD Fellowship in Interpretable Natural Language Processing
Open to applicants who hold (or will hold) a Master's degree (MSc) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence or a closely related field, with a strong background in NLP or ML. Candidates must have excellent written and spoken English and ideally evidence of prior research, programming and data-analysis experience. The position is a salaried PhD employment under the Danish AC collective agreement rather than a tuition-paying studentship, and is open to applicants of any nationality.
full
Funding
€50k
Max
May 15, 2027
Deadline
partial fundingDanish universities with Ministry of Higher Education and Science, Denmark
Danish Government Scholarship
For talented non-EU/EEA/Swiss students applying for a full-degree higher education programme in Denmark, who are required to pay tuition fees. The scholarships are allocated to Danish universities, which select recipients from their admitted international applicants; you apply via the institution.
partial
Funding
€20k
Max
Jan 15, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome International Training Fellowships
For early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (outside the high-income world) who want protected time and support for research training in health, often including a PhD or postdoctoral research. Wellcome's scheme names and exact criteria change over time, so applicants should check the current relevant Wellcome funding scheme.
full
Funding
€150k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
European Commission - European Research Executive Agency (REA)
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will have defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline) and have at most 8 years of full-time-equivalent research experience after the PhD. Applicants apply jointly with a host organisation - a university, research institution, business, SME, or other body based in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to all nationalities for a project inside the EU or an associated country; Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are reserved for EU nationals or long-term residents who carry out a phase in a third country before returning to Europe. Researchers who have been displaced by conflict and those restarting a research career after a break are explicitly encouraged to apply.
full
Funding
€100k
Max
Sep 10, 2026
Deadline
full funding
Rotary Foundation
Rotary Peace Fellowships
For professionals committed to peace and development, with relevant work experience and (for the master's) a strong academic background and proficiency in English. Applicants apply through their local Rotary district and are selected globally by The Rotary Foundation for study at a Rotary Peace Center.
full
Funding
€90k
Max
May 15, 2027
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU)?
+
EU/EEA students and those with permanent Danish residence study for free. Non-EU/EEA students can expect annual tuition fees ranging from EUR 10,800 to EUR 18,000, depending on the faculty. Full tuition for the first year must be paid upfront starting from the September 2026 intake.
Does SDU offer many programs taught in English?
+
Yes, the University of Southern Denmark offers over 200 programs, with a significant number taught entirely in English across Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels. This provides ample opportunities for international students to find a program suited to their interests.
What is the University of Southern Denmark's global ranking?
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The University of Southern Denmark holds a QS World Ranking of approximately 303. It is recognized as one of Denmark's leading research universities, particularly noted for its strong output in areas like quantum mathematics, green energy, and robotics.
What are the English language proficiency requirements for Master's programs?
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For Master's level studies, non-native English speakers typically need an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of 88. Cambridge C1 Advanced is also accepted.
What is the estimated cost of living for students in Odense?
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The estimated monthly cost of living in Odense for students is around EUR 900–1,200. This estimate covers accommodation, food, transportation, and personal expenses, with living costs being notably lower than in Copenhagen.
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