Denmark is a Nordic country in Northern Europe known in tourism branding as the “Land of Everyday Wonder” and often associated with high social trust. It consists of the Jutland (Jylland) Peninsula and more than 400 islands, and its capital is Copenhagen. As of May 2026, Denmark had a population of just over 6 million.
Danish is the official language of Denmark. Faroese and Greenlandic are official languages in the self-governing territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, while German is recognized as a minority language in Southern Jutland. English is also widely used, and Denmark ranks highly for English proficiency among non-native English-speaking countries. Most residents are registered members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, and the country also has Catholic, Muslim, and other religious communities.
Denmark is consistently listed among the world’s happiest countries. In the 2026 World Happiness Report, it ranked third, after Finland and Iceland. This is one reason many international students consider pursuing tertiary studies in Denmark. According to OECD data, international or foreign students made up 9.9% of Denmark’s tertiary students in 2023.
In our guide below, we walk you through some of the best cities in Denmark to study in for international students.
Top Cities to Study in Denmark for International Students
1. Copenhagen
Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital and largest city. The city is known for its high quality of life, cycling culture, safety, royal history, modern architecture, and cultural attractions. In Copenhagen, students can visit spots such as Christiansborg Palace, the National Gallery of Denmark, Den Blå Planet, the Round Tower, and Amalienborg Palace.
Copenhagen is among the best cities to study in Denmark, with well-known colleges and universities including University of Copenhagen, IT University of Copenhagen, and Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation.
The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation has a long history that traces back to 1754. Its major fields include architecture, design, and conservation. Moving on to a relatively younger center of learning, the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU), established in 1999, is a specialized university focused on IT and digital development. ITU offers bachelor’s and master’s programs, research activities, and options for international students.
2. Aarhus
Aarhus is a city rich in history and cultural attractions. It is Denmark’s second-largest city. When in Aarhus, students can visit Den Gamle By, ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Aarhus Cathedral, the Aarhus Botanical Gardens, Tivoli Friheden, and Moesgaard Museum.
On the topic of educational institutions, the most notable ones in the city are Aarhus University, Aarhus School of Architecture, Royal Academy of Music Aarhus, Jutland Art Academy, and AARHUS TECH.
Aarhus University is Denmark’s second-largest university and one of its major public research universities. Founded in 1928, it has about 37,000 students, five faculties, and a main campus in Aarhus, with additional campuses in Herning, Viborg, and Emdrup.
On the other hand, AARHUS TECH is a highly regarded vocational education and training institution in the country. It was founded in 1828 and has three main campuses. The school also holds Erasmus+ accreditation for 2021 to 2027.
3. Aalborg
Situated in Denmark’s Jutland region, Aalborg is the main city of North Jutland and is known for its cultural attractions and waterfront. A few highlights include the Utzon Center, the House of Music, Kunsten Museum of Modern Art, Nordkraft, and Aalborg Tower. At the start of 2026, Aalborg Municipality had about 226,000 residents.
Aalborg is an excellent place to study in Denmark. The most prominent higher education institution in the city is Aalborg University. AAU opened in 1974 and is recognized for problem-based learning, research, and programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. AAU notes that its engineering programs were named fourth in the world in a 2018 MIT survey, and the university has also been highly ranked in engineering by U.S. News & World Report. AAU provides programs in fields such as engineering, IT, design, business, social sciences, natural sciences, and medicine.
4. Odense
Odense is Denmark’s third-largest city and is known for historical attractions such as Egeskov Castle, the Funen Village, Odense Zoo, the Danish Railway Museum, and St. Canute’s Cathedral. It is also famous as the hometown of author Hans Christian Andersen.
The University of Southern Denmark is a strong option for international students who are planning on moving to Odense. SDU welcomed its first students in Odense in September 1966 and now has five faculties, about 32,000 students, and more than 15% international students. Its main campus is in Odense, with regional campuses in Slagelse, Kolding, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Copenhagen. The Danish National Academy of Music also has an Odense campus and offers programs in areas such as classical music, jazz and contemporary rhythmic music, film scoring, folk and traditional music, electronic music and sound art, church music, and music pedagogy.
5. Roskilde
Roskilde is another one of the best cities to study in Denmark for international students. The former Viking hub served as Denmark’s capital until 1443. Today, it is famous for Roskilde Festival, a major nonprofit music and culture festival. Aside from this, tourists flock to the city to visit the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde Cathedral, and Ledreborg Palace.
In the area, Roskilde University is a prominent institute for higher learning. It is a public university that was established in 1972. It has four main departments with numerous courses and programs to choose from: the Department of Communication and Arts, the Department of People and Technology, the Department of Science and Environment, and the Department of Social Sciences and Business.
Europe’s “Land of Everyday Wonder” has many picturesque destinations, which is why Denmark is a popular travel destination. Popular places include Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, the National Museum of Denmark, LEGO House, and Kronborg Castle. It is also worth trying local dishes such as stegt flæsk med persillesovs, frikadeller, smørrebrød, karbonader, and koldskål med kammerjunker.
We hope you find this article on the best cities to study in Denmark for international students informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Denmark and Available Programs in Europe!
