Financial
To view DIS fees, please visit the following pages in the Semester Student and Summer Student sections. For payment methods, please see Billing Information.
Money Matters in Copenhagen
The cost of living in Denmark is relatively high, and unfortunately the US/Danish exchange rate, like that between the dollar and the euro, has recently been poor. Denmark is not more expensive than London, Paris or Dublin, but truth be told, most items in Denmark are more expensive than the U.S. Based on the current rate of exchange, the cost of living in Denmark is around 40% higher than in the U.S.
Below is some information to help you and your student budget for the semester in Copenhagen:
| ADDITIONAL EXPENSES | SEMESTER | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Expenses - All Students | ||
| Residence Permit (subject to change) | US$ 220 | US$ 220 |
| International airfare | US$ 700 - US$ 1,220 | US$ 700 - US$ 1,220 |
| Personal expenses | US$ 1,500 - US$ 3,300 | US$ 3,000 - US$ 6,000 |
| TOTAL | US$ 2,420 - US$ 4,420 | US$ 3,920 - US$ 7,420 |
| Estimated Expenses - Elective | ||
| Meals - non-host family | US$ 1,000* | US$ 2,000* |
| Cell phone minutes | per your use | per your use |
| Optional Study Tours (each) | US$ 425 - US$ 1,395 | US$ 425 - US$ 1,395 |
| Outdoor Adventure Trips (each) | US$ 225 - US$ 1,095 | US$ 225 - US$ 1,095 |
*Estimated US$400/month, partially covered by DIS food stipends.
Note: Combining terms of study (e.g. a semester plus a summer program) includes a discount.
Practical Living
Students will be responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals while living in Denmark, unless living with a host family. Upon arrival in Copenhagen, those not living with a host family will receive a food stipend in Danish kroner to offset the additional costs. The stipend is $600 per semester. DIS recommends budgeting $400 per month for food expenses in addition to the food stipend. Students living with a host family will not receive a food stipend, as their meals will be provided.
Accessing Money
Prior to departure for Copenhagen, decide with your daughter or son how to access money for both everyday financial needs and emergencies. DIS encourages students to use their ATM/debit card with a Visa/MasterCard logo during their semester. Students must have a four-digit pin number to withdraw funds from their home bank account. Students that brings a Credit Card with them to Europe will need the 4-digit pin number both when withdrawing money from an ATM machine and when paying in most shops. For your own sake please make sure that you have it before arriving to Denmark. Cash will be issued in the local currency (so Danish kroner in Denmark). ATM/Debit cards usually have lower withdrawal fees than credit cards. Students are encouraged to check with their bank before departure, as some accounts may not be accessed internationally, and to inquire about withdrawal fees.
Check Endorsement
During the time that students are enrolled with us, DIS will stamp and endorse checks made payable to a student. Students simply visit the financial department to have their check validated by one of the accountants and they can then have a DIS-endorsed check cashed by the local bank that DIS works with. Checks are directly converted into Danish kroner and paid out in cash for a small fee. Students can receive further information about the bank agreements via the DIS Forum.
DIS students have not found traveler’s checks as flexible or convenient as debit/credit cards, and there is a higher commission fee charged for each check. There is not an American Express office in Denmark and a passport is necessary when exchanging traveler’s checks, making them even more difficult to use.
