Record number of higher education applicants

Applications to higher education programmes in 2012 have broken all records. A total of 80,766 people have applied for higher education. The number of priority 1 applicants has increased by 8 per cent since 2011, according to the collective account from the Coordinated Enrolment System (KOT).

Business academy programmes saw the biggest increase in applications, with 10 per cent more priority 1 applicants compared with 2011. The number of applicants with professional bachelor’s degree programmes as their priority 1 increased by 9 per cent, while there was an increase of 7 per cent in those listing a bachelor’s degree at university as their priority 1. Higher Education Minister Morten Østergaard is pleased with the significant increase, as it is line with the Government’s educational objectives for Denmark.

− The aim of having a higher level of education among the population is a cornerstone of Government policy that will ensure future growth and prosperity in Denmark. The increasing interest indicates that we are closer to the Government’s ambitious objective of 60 per cent of a year group obtaining a higher education, says Morten Østergaard.

There is a particular increase in the number of applicants within the IT-related area, business academy and university college programmes within the social area, as well as engineering, social sciences and natural sciences at universities.

The minister is pleased that more and more young people are choosing educational programmes that provide sought-after skills and employment in the private sector.

− I noticed there were a considerable number of applications to engineering and natural science programmes at universities, where there is generally a good chance of admittance and good employment opportunities for graduates. Business academies have also had noticeably more applicants than last year. For example, there were 22 per cent more applications to business academy or professional bachelor’s degree programmes within the IT area. The figures show that young people are being more realistic in their choices and considering the possibilities for employment after their studies, says Morten Østergaard.

The major welfare programmes are still very popular among applicants. Compared to 2011, 14 per cent more have applied to social worker programmes, 12 per cent more to pedagogical programmes and 9 per cent more to nursing programmes. There continues to be great numbers of applicants to teacher training programmes.

The number of applicants has increased nationwide. For example, Business Academy SouthWest has seen an increase of 42 per cent this year compared to 2011. Among the universities, Aalborg University has seen the greatest increase in applicants – of 19 per cent. The University of Southern Denmark and the IT University of Copenhagen saw the next biggest increase of 16 per cent compared to 2011.

Higher education applications 2012

• 15 March: deadline: Quota 2 applicants, applicants with foreign qualifications and applicants for programmes requiring an entrance exam or interview must apply for higher education by 15 March.
• 5 July: Deadline for all remaining higher education applications. Applicants with Danish qualifications can apply until 5 July via Quota 1, where the application is based solely on exam marks.
• 30 July: Applicants receive response to their applications. Higher Education Ministry published the collective enrolment figures on www.fivu.dk.

For further information please contact:

Press officer Ingeborg Nielsen, tel: +45 2211 0200 or e-mail:

Danish Agency for Higher Education and Educational Support: Emilie Lichtenberg, tel: +45 7231 7993 or e-mail:

Danish Agency for Universities and Internationalisation: Nete Lerdahl Søgaard, tel: +45 5096 4719 or e-mail: