“We need more people to learn a trade and help us with the green transition”, were the words of the Minister of Higher Education while announcing the reform of higher education in Denmark. According to the government, fewer young people should choose the path of academia, and therefore from 2025, there will be a reduction of 8% of the places at bachelor programs (roughly 2,700 spots).
- From 2028, 10% of master degrees will be shorter (1 year and 3 months).
- Also from 2028, 10% of master degrees will be vocational (4 years long that can be done alongside a full time job). From 2032, 20% of the master degrees will be vocational.
- 1.7 billion DKK will be invested to reform higher education.
- Enhedslisten (Left-wing), Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) and DF (National Socialists) left the negotiations for the reform. Unsurprisingly, DF’s motivation was the change of direction regarding international students.
- University of Southern Denmark (SDU) has already decided that from 2025 you need an average grade of seven (on the Danish scale from -3 to 12) to apply for a bachelor’s degree.