In this guide
Secondary fee range at a glance
Copenhagen secondary fees are quoted in Danish kroner and shaped by the subsidy system more than any other city we cover. Fully private, non subsidised international senior schools sit at the top, where the IB Diploma years at Copenhagen International School can reach DKK 110,000 to 200,000 before any grant. Established international secondaries and partial subsidy cases occupy the upper mid band. Subsidised schools such as Rygaards International School and the International School of Hellerup sit lower, and the Lycee Francais and Danish approved schools anchor the value end. Families resident in Denmark may qualify for a Ministry of Children and Education per pupil subsidy, and the difference between the subsidised and unsubsidised rate can be DKK 50,000 to 100,000 a year per child. The bands below are 2026 estimates tied to our Copenhagen fees research.
Secondary fee table by tier
| Tier | Annual secondary tuition (DKK) | Approx USD |
|---|---|---|
| Premium (unsubsidised) | DKK 110,000 - 200,000 | USD 16,000 - 29,000 |
| Upper mid | DKK 60,000 - 110,000 | USD 8,700 - 16,000 |
| Subsidised mid | DKK 40,000 - 60,000 | USD 5,800 - 8,700 |
| Subsidised value | DKK 35,000 - 50,000 | USD 5,100 - 7,300 |
Bands are 2026 estimates tied to our Copenhagen fees research. Families resident in Denmark may qualify for a per pupil subsidy that reduces the net fee. Secondary and sixth form, especially the IB Diploma years, sit at the top of each band.
Added and one-off costs
| Cost item | Typical range (DKK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application / registration | 1,000 - 3,000 | Non refundable, paid with the application |
| Enrolment deposit | One term of fees, refundable | Returned at the end of the student's time at the school |
| Trips, residentials and IB exam fees | 5,000 - 15,000 a year in senior years | Concentrated in the IB Diploma years |
| Catered lunch | 5,000 - 10,000 a year | Where offered; optional at some schools |
| Devices and materials | 2,000 - 5,000 a year | Higher in exam years |
What drives the cost
The single biggest driver in Copenhagen is whether a family qualifies for the Danish subsidy. A resident family on the subsidised rate pays only the unsubsidised portion, which can be DKK 50,000 to 100,000 a year less per child than the headline fee. Eligibility and residency status therefore shape the budget more than the school chosen, and families should confirm their position before assuming either the high or the low figure applies to them.
Within the unsubsidised sector the usual senior level forces apply. Copenhagen International School and other fully private schools running the IB Diploma carry small classes, specialist teaching, university counselling and examination administration that load onto the final years. High Danish staffing and property costs push private fees toward the upper European range, so the gap between a subsidised place and a fully private IB Diploma place is wide.
Compare secondary fees across cities
Put Copenhagen secondary fees next to other host cities side by side before you commit.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Headline tuition is only part of the bill in Copenhagen. The main extras are a non refundable application fee of DKK 1,000 to 3,000, a refundable enrolment deposit of about one term, trips, residential weeks and IB examination fees of DKK 5,000 to 15,000 a year in the senior years, a catered lunch of DKK 5,000 to 10,000 a year where offered, and devices and materials of DKK 2,000 to 5,000 a year that rise in the exam years. Subsidised schools carry lower add-ons in keeping with their funded status.
Compare secondary fees
Copenhagen secondary fees range from among the lower European figures at the subsidised schools to the upper European band at the fully private IB Diploma end. Use our compare fees tool to put Copenhagen next to other Nordic and European host cities and curricula, then revisit the Copenhagen primary fees page for the earlier stages and the all-in cost of a place.
FAQ
How much is secondary international school in Copenhagen? Secondary international school fees in Copenhagen run from about DKK 35,000 a year at subsidised schools to DKK 200,000 at the fully private end, with the IB Diploma years at Copenhagen International School at the top. Families resident in Denmark may qualify for a per pupil subsidy that reduces the net fee sharply.
How does the Danish school subsidy work for secondary? Families resident in Denmark may qualify for a per pupil grant from the Ministry of Children and Education, so they pay only the unsubsidised portion of the fee. The difference between the subsidised and unsubsidised rate can be DKK 50,000 to 100,000 a year per child, which makes residency status the biggest single factor in the budget.
Which Copenhagen schools offer the IB Diploma? Copenhagen International School delivers all three IB programmes including the IB Diploma alongside an American high school diploma, with English as the language of instruction and Danish taught within the curriculum. Other international schools in the city offer the IB or national pathways at senior level.
What are the hidden costs of secondary school in Copenhagen? Beyond tuition, families add a non refundable application fee of DKK 1,000 to 3,000, a refundable deposit of about one term, trips, residentials and IB exam fees of DKK 5,000 to 15,000 a year in the senior years, a catered lunch of DKK 5,000 to 10,000 a year where offered, and devices and materials of DKK 2,000 to 5,000 a year.
Are subsidised schools cheaper than private ones for secondary in Copenhagen? Yes, substantially. Subsidised schools such as Rygaards and the International School of Hellerup sit in the DKK 35,000 to 60,000 band, well below the DKK 110,000 to 200,000 charged by fully private IB Diploma schools. Eligibility depends on residency, so confirm your status before assuming which rate applies.