Increase in the number of applicants for places in higher education

The Minister for Higher Education and Science is delighted with this increase, particularly with the fact that one fifth of all applicants have applied for one of the five major degree programmes in subjects related to the welfare services.

At the 12 noon deadline today for applications to higher education programmes under Quota 1,  a total of 94,604 people had applied for higher education programmes. This is 5,850 more than last year and on a par with the record set in 2016, when there were 94,744 applicants.

It was expected that more people would apply for higher education programmes in the wake of the COVID-19 situation. In the light of this, a few weeks ago, the government and all parties in the Danish Parliament decided to allocate funds to create 5,000 extra study places.

- It is very satisfying that so many people want to take a higher education degree: not only is this good for the individual - offering more opportunities in life - but it is also good for our society as a whole. I hope that as many people as possible get their wishes fulfilled. We are living through extraordinary times at the moment, facing the coronavirus situation. Now that even more people than previous years applying for places in higher education, I am delighted that together with all the parties in Parliament we have created 5,000 extra places. This means that more people have a chance to be accepted, says the Minister for Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

The most popular course is the Bachelor in Social Education programme, with 5,910 people applying for this programme in one of the 23 places in the country where you can study to become a Social Educator. The Bachelor in Nursing programme is the second most sought after, with 5,112 applicants.

Overall, programmes related to the welfare services remain a popular choice. Nineteen percent of all applicants have applied for one of the five major degree programmes in this field: Social Education, Nursing, Teaching, Midwifery and Social Work.

- This government aims to strengthen the welfare services in Denmark, and to do this we need even more people to take degree courses related to these services. That is why it's so heartening to see that so many people want to choose this path. Skilled teachers and Social Educators are vital to the future of our children, and nurses, midwives and social workers have a central role to play in our welfare society, adds the Minister for Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

Business Academy programmes have received ten percent more first priority applications than last year. Professional bachelor's and other bachelor's degree programmes have also seen an increase of two and nine percent, respectively, compared to 2019.

There are also more applicants for STEM programmes, with a total of 19,870 applicants for STEM programmes - an increase of eight percent over last year.

This year, for example, more young people have applied degree courses in Marine Engineering (+ thirteen percent), Diploma Engineering (+ two percent) and Civil Engineering (+ twelve percent).

Facts about this year's applications

A total of 94,604 people have applied for admission to a higher education programme this year. This is on a par with 2016, when there were 94,744 applicants.

Applicants will receive a response on 28 July 2020. At 00.01 on 28 July the Ministry of Higher Education and Science will publish the key figures from the Coordinated Admissions System (KOT), stating the number of applicants, the number of admissions and the grade point average for the different programmes at www.ufm.dk.

In 2019, 88,754 people applied to higher education before the 12 noon deadline on 5 July. Of these, 65,714 were offered a place on a higher education programme.

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 Area Manager Tine Bjerregaard, tel:+45 7231 8885, e-mail: tbj@ufm.dk