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Welfare-focused higher education programs see increased applications amid overall dip
🇩🇰 Denmark /Culture & Society

Welfare-focused higher education programs see increased applications amid overall dip

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Overall, fewer students applied for higher education this year, but applications for welfare-oriented programs increased.
  • Applications for social worker, nurse, teacher, and pedagogical programs rose by 2% collectively, with social work seeing the largest increase.
  • Applications from Nordic and EU countries for English-taught programs are up, while those from third countries have dropped significantly.

Denmark's higher education institutions are seeing a mixed trend in applications this year. While the total number of applicants has fallen by 2% to 84,043, there's a notable increase in interest for welfare-focused professions. Applications for nursing, social work, teaching, and pedagogical programs collectively rose by 2%.

The social worker program experienced the most significant surge, with an 8% increase in applications. Nursing programs also saw a 5% rise. However, teacher and pedagogical programs experienced a slight 1% decrease.

We must prepare ourselves for this potentially becoming a trend in the future, as small youth cohorts mean fewer students.

— Christina EgelundThe Education and Research Minister commented on the declining birth rates and their potential impact on future student numbers.

Education and Research Minister Christina Egelund acknowledged that the overall slight drop in applications is within normal fluctuations. She cautioned, however, that declining birth rates in Denmark could lead to fewer students in the future. "We must prepare ourselves for this potentially becoming a trend in the future, as small youth cohorts mean fewer students," she stated.

Interest in English-taught programs from Nordic and EU applicants has grown substantially, with increases of 26% and 10% respectively. Conversely, applications from third countries have fallen by 21%. The minister commented that these measures appear effective in ensuring that all international students in Danish programs are qualified.

This suggests that our measures are working to ensure that all international students in our programs are qualified.

— Christina EgelundThe minister commented on the decrease in applications from third countries for English-taught programs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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