88,754 have applied for higher education

The deadline for applications for higher education programmes via the quota 1 system was at 12 noon today. A total of 88,754 young people applied to start on a higher education programme later this year.

- It is great to see that so many young people want to further their education and use the opportunities we have for pursuing education in Denmark, no matter their background. I hope the new students will be diligent with their studies, but also be engaged, make friendships, develop themselves together with others, and make a difference. We need well-rounded students in our education programmes, says Minister for Higher Education and Science Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

Fewer young people than before have applied to teaching, pedagogy and nursing education programmes. The new Minister for Higher Education and Science had hoped to see more applications to these programmes.

- The Government's project is to strengthen welfare in Denmark, and for that to happen we need talented school teachers, pedagogues and nurses – and we need more of them. I had therefore hoped to see even more young people applying to our welfare education programmes this year. We must make these programmes even more attractive and I plan to lead those efforts, says Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

Pedagogy and nursing education programmes continue to be the two most popular programmes in Denmark, but 423 and 118 fewer people respectively applied for these two programmes as their 1st priority. And 111 fewer people applied for a teaching programme as their 1st priority.

Programmes at academies of professional higher education have received 5 per cent more 1st priority applications compared to last year. Professional Bachelor programmes and Bachelor programmes have both experienced a decrease of 2 per cent compared to 2018. Overall there has been about a 1 per cent decrease in applications compared to last year – corresponding to 946 people.

Humanities has seen the greatest decrease compared to last year (-12* per cent). More young people have for example, applied to financial economics (+11* per cent), architectural technology and construction management (+15* per cent) and psychology (+5 per cent).

About 2019 applications

A total of 88,754 people applied for a higher education programme this year.

Applicants will receive an response to their application on 26 July 2019. The Ministry of Higher Education and Science will publish the key figures from the Coordinated Admissions System (KOT) on July 26 at 00:01 with the number of applicants, number of admissions as well as the grade point average for the different programmes on www.ufm.dk.

In 2018, 89,700 applied to higher education before the deadline of July 5 at 12 noon. Of these, 64,943 were offered a place on a higher education programme.

* Altered from 14 to 12, 10 to 11 and 13 to 15 / Webeditor 5 July 2019.

For further information please contact:

Media requests for comments from the Minister for Higher Education and Science: +45 7231 8181
Queries about application figures to head of section Tine Bjerregaard, tel:+45 7231
8885, e-mail: