Jan 02, 2025
As part of our journey to guide students toward the best global universities, this time we are making a stop at the second happiest country in the world. Imagine a place where bicycles outnumber cars five to one, where innovation flows as smoothly as its design principles, and a place where universities are about experiencing life at its best.
We welcome you to study in Denmark – a place that is marking its name on the map of the world for almost everything you can think of – education, air quality, GDP per capita, environmental safety, and even work-life balance. Maybe that is one of the reasons why Denmark is ranked the 2nd happiest country in the world!
If the country itself is this unique, imagine how extraordinary the universities here must be! Talking about extraordinary universities brings us to the University of Southern Denmark or Syddansk Universitet (SDU). Just like Dannes' creation of LEGO, this university is also known to build strong foundations for the future with each piece placed purposefully!So, let us also piece together everything that you need to know about this exceptional Danish university like a perfectly assembled LEGO, and discover what makes it a dream destination for students from around the globe.
Table of Content
The story of SDU isn't any typical campus story. What started from a single location in Odense back in 1966 has transformed into a wider higher educational network that is now home to over 30,000 international students. This happened because of the merger of Odense University, the Southern Denmark School of Business and Engineering, and the South Jutland University Centre in 1998. As of 2024, SDU functions across five campuses located in Odense, Slagelse, Kolding, Esbjerg, and Sønderborg. Take a walk through Odense - where SDU’s main campus is situated, and you will find that every 12th person is a university student. This statistic shows the magnetic appeal of SDU.
SDU places great emphasis on value, quality, and people, making them central to its mission and vision. It reflect the university’s strong commitment to its 2030 goals which is to be a global leader in transformative research and offering flexible, cutting-edge education. Its focus? Shaping graduates who are in demand, create value, and contribute to society. Now we know why students and researchers from 50 different countries have made SDU their academic home.
Doesn’t that sound like a place where big dreams come true? Well, to make the case stronger, let us take a look at its rankings and recognition because no student misses this key factor when deciding on a global university.
According to the Innovation Scoreboard, this Nordic nation stands at the top when it comes to having the most innovative teaching methods and nurturing highly skilled talent. And where does all this come from? Naturally, from the universities in Denmark!
So out of thousands of universities worldwide, let us take a closer look at where SDU stands on the global ranking charts:
Rankings do matter, but apart from this, there is more to consider – like whether your chosen study fields are the ones creating a buzz. That is why, up next, we will list down the popular courses and study areas that attract international students to the University of Southern Denmark.
Imagine a country with over 12,000 kilometers of cycle tracks, where biking is considered to be respected way reflecting its deep commitment to sustainability. Now pair that with a university striving to lead in research and innovation by 2030. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Due to this, fields centered on innovation, engineering, and groundbreaking research attract international students to study at University of Southern Denmark.
Out of 48 master's and 12 bachelor's degrees, below are some of the most popular programs:
| Masters Degrees | Bachelors Degrees |
MSc in Mechanical Engineering MSc in Software Engineering MSc in Engineering- Innovation and Business MSc in Engineering – Physics and Technology MSc in Advanced Robotics Technology MSc in Drones and Autonomous Systems MSc in Supply Chain Digitalisation MSc in Electronics Engineering MSc in Mechatronics | BEng in Electronics BSc in Electronics Engineering BEng in Mechatronics BSc in Mechatronics Engineering BEng in Mechanical Engineering BSc in Engineering, Innovation and Business BSc in Mechanical Engineering BSc in Software Engineering |
If any of these programs catch your eye, mark your September intake calendar. Not only is this the month of Denmark’s epic outdoor festivals, but also when the magical Danish concept of Hygge comes alive – an escape from life’s hustle to enjoy quality moments with yourself and your loved ones.
With so many reasons to study at University of Southern Denmark, we know this is the part you have been waiting for—figuring out if you meet the requirements!
Here is the bare minimum on getting your foot at the SDU’s door:
Sounds doable? That is because it totally is! However, what often makes students nervous is the cost of studying. We know what you are thinking: "Europe? Expensive!" But hold up. Denmark, and specifically SDU, is about to shatter all those stereotypes. As mentioned earlier, it is the best European country to study abroad when it comes to nurturing talent. So, automatically it involves making education affordable. Apart from that all of the major cities like Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Roskilde, and Odense are not only student-friendly but also surprisingly affordable.
Don’t just take our word for it—check out the cost of studying at SDU in the next section and see for yourself!
Before you start imagining ramen noodles as your primary diet when in Denmark, let us surprise you with such an affordable cost to study at University of Southern Denmark that you weren’t expecting at all:
Wait, there’s more! No, we are not talking about more expenses—we are talking about ways to bring those costs down. How? By listing some of the popular scholarships to study at SDU. Keep reading the next section to find out how you can take advantage of these!
Let us check some of the popular scholarships at SDU for eligibility and applications for the upcoming intakes.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Benefits | Key Points |
| Danish Government Scholarship | Non-EU/EEA applicants for certain MSc programs like Mechatronics, Electronics and Mechanical Engineering | Full or Partial Tuition Fee Waiver |
|
Programme-Specific Scholarship (Robot Systems) |
Non-EU/EEA applicants for Master’s in Robot Systems |
Full Tuition Fee Waiver for 2 years |
|
International students dream of more than just quality education and career opportunities when they go abroad. They look for a campus life filled with magical moments that become lifelong memories and unexpected friendships that cross continents.
And when it comes to that, the Danish touch is unmatched. So, let us explore how campus life at SDU wraps you in that warm Danish hug for your soul!
Campus life at SDU isn’t just about studying—it’s about living, thriving, and building memories that last a lifetime. Here is what makes it all so special when you study at University of Southern Denmark.
At SDU, campus life is a mix of small-town comfort and big-city energy that says ‘You belong here!’ Imagine enjoying such an enriching campus life and stepping into a work culture that offers a 37-hour work week and five weeks of vacation every year. Sounds like a dream, right?
With a per capita GDP of $70,000, it is no surprise that this country is a hub for ambitious professionals. A big part of this success comes from its exceptional universities, like SDU, which provide outstanding career and placement support so that you land the job roles always you dreamed of.
At SDU, your career journey starts the moment you step onto campus with the support of SDU RIO -the university’s dedicated career center. Whether it is picking the right field or preparing for an interview, guidance from industry professionals at SDU RIO ensures you stay ahead of the curve.
Got a million-dollar idea? SDU RIO’s Startup Station and innovation labs provide the perfect platform to turn your ideas into reality. SDU Jobbank connects you to student jobs, internships, and graduate roles, making job hunting seamless.
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about SDU, from its course offerings to its top-notch career support services. We know researching multiple universities can be exhausting and eats up your precious time, especially when that time is better spent preparing for tests, filing applications, and getting your visa sorted.
‘Why spend hours scrolling through endless tabs when you could focus on what truly matters—securing your future?’ Whether it is about universities in Denmark, Germany, France, or any other European destination, trust experts at KC Overseas Education to guide you every step of the way.
From shortlisting universities to meeting deadlines, we make your study abroad journey seamless and stress-free. Because at the end of the day, your dream deserves expert support, not unnecessary hurdles.
Popular programs include MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Innovation and Business, and Advanced Robotics Technology.
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students average €15,000 annually, while living costs are around €12,000 per year.
SDU offers scholarships like the Danish Government Scholarship and Programme-Specific Scholarships for non-EU/EEA students, covering full or partial tuition fees.
Applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree, a minimum of 60%, and an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.
Yes, SDU offers career guidance, job opportunities through SDU Jobbank, and startup support via SDU RIO.