Aalborg University (AAU), founded in 1974, has campuses in Aalborg, Esbjerg and Copenhagen and is known for its problem-based learning model, in which students work in groups on real-world projects throughout their degree. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was ranked =329th in the world and was the fifth-highest-ranked university in Denmark. It’s known for engineering, energy, computer science and the social sciences.
AAU offers a small number of bachelor’s programmes in English and many English-taught master’s programmes. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Aalborg University’s own guidance and official Danish government information.
1. Choose one of the English-taught bachelor’s programmes
AAU offers four bachelor’s programmes in English: Applied Industrial Electronics, Energy Engineering, and Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology in Esbjerg, and Economics and Business Administration in Aalborg. Its other bachelor’s programmes are taught in Danish. AAU bachelor’s programmes.
2. Apply through optagelse.dk by 15 March
You apply for bachelor’s programmes at Aalborg University, and at other Danish universities, through the national admissions portal, optagelse.dk, which opens on 1 February. You can apply for up to eight programmes in total, and the deadline for applicants with international qualifications is 15 March at 12 noon (Central European Time). Late applications aren’t accepted, and if you don’t have a Danish personal number, you also need to send a signed signature page by the same deadline.
3. Pay the €150 application fee by 15 March
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must pay a €150 application fee through AAU’s webshop before 15 March, or their applications won’t be processed. You also need to email a signed signature page to the admissions office by the deadline.
4. Check that your school exam qualifies
Your upper secondary exam must qualify for university in Denmark, and AAU compares your subjects with Danish subject levels. Some qualifications need more: a US high school diploma, for example, must be combined with three AP tests passed with a score of at least 3 in different subjects, or a year of university study. AAU: admission requirements for non-EU applicants.
5. Prove your English
AAU asks for IELTS Academic of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each section, or a TOEFL iBT of 85 with at least 20 in each section. Test results must be less than two years old, and TOEFL “MyBest Scores” and IELTS One Skill Retake aren’t accepted. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
6. Be ready for project-based learning
At AAU, much of your learning happens through group projects linked to real problems, often with companies. If you enjoy teamwork and applying theory, this approach can suit you well, and you can mention it in any motivation you’re asked to give.
7. Understand the fees
EU/EEA citizens don’t pay tuition fees. For other students, AAU’s fees for the 2026 academic year (two semesters) are DKK 115,700 for Applied Industrial Electronics, Energy Engineering, and Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and DKK 55,600 for Economics and Business Administration. AAU doesn’t offer tuition waivers or scholarships for bachelor’s programmes. AAU finance and fees.
8. Look for housing early
Aalborg and Esbjerg are cheaper than Copenhagen, but start looking for accommodation as soon as you’re admitted, and budget for living costs on top of your tuition.
9. Apply for your residence permit
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need a permit to study in Denmark, but they must register for an EU residence document if they stay more than three months. Other students apply to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) for a residence permit once Aalborg University has admitted them, paying a processing fee and creating a case order ID first. You must show that you can support yourself with DKK 7,426 a month (2026 level), up to a maximum of DKK 89,112 if you’ll study for more than a year, and paying your first semester’s tuition counts as part of your documentation. From 1 October 2026, students on state-approved programmes can no longer bring a spouse, partner or children as accompanying family members. New to Denmark: higher education.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
As a student on a state-approved programme, you get a limited work permit: up to 90 hours a month from September to May, and full time in June, July and August. When you complete your degree, you’re normally entitled to a job-seeking permit with the same work rights. If you applied for your residence permit on or after 1 October 2026, this is generally 6 months or 1 year (it was previously up to 3 years). If you get a job offer, you can apply for a new residence and work permit based on the job.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at AAU?
AAU offers many master’s programmes taught in English, especially in engineering, IT and the social sciences, each with its own requirements and deadlines. PhD positions in Denmark are usually paid and advertised by each faculty. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Apply to more than one university to give yourself options. Read our guides to the University of Copenhagen, DTU, Aarhus University and the University of Southern Denmark. Our guide to studying in Denmark explains how the Danish system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Aalborg University’s official admissions and fee pages, Danish government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on AAU’s admissions website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Aalborg University.