New figures from the organisation known as Universities Denmark show that the proportion of non-Danish students at Aarhus University is growing fast

New figures published by Universities Denmark show that Aarhus University’s focus on internationalisation is bearing fruit. In 2008 there were 1,031 non-Danish students on exchange at Aarhus University, which is 27% more than the previous year. And Aarhus University also sent 10% more students abroad (a total of 815 individuals) to international universities. The number of non-Danish students taking an entire degree programme at Aarhus University has also increased: a total of 2,365 students from all over the world now do their whole degree at Aarhus University, which is 16% more than the previous year.

The increases mean that more than 10 per cent of the full-time students at Aarhus University now come from abroad. The international growth of Aarhus University is much larger than the average for the other Danish universities.

Vice-Chancellor Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen is delighted with the news because internationalisation is an area of special focus in the university’s strategy.

“The large number of international students demonstrates that all our hard work in raising the international profile of the university is starting to bear fruit. Students from all around the world are starting to realise that Aarhus University is a great place to study, with a place in the top 100 rankings to prove that we belong in the world elite,” he says.

Kristian Thorn, Aarhus University’s International Director, is also pleased with the news:

“Aarhus University’s focus on attracting students from abroad has been a great success. Our international profile is an important factor in recruiting new, talented researchers; and international students help to ensure the relevance, topicality and quality of the subjects offered here. What’s more, our Danish students gain important language and inter-cultural qualifications by taking part in modules taught in other languages alongside students from other countries.”

One of the institutions that has worked particularly hard to attract international students is Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University. Lene Rehder, who is the Director of Study Administration and International Affairs at Aarhus School of Business, reports that the growth is due to a combination of different factors. For instance, almost all the Master’s degree courses are taught in English, and the School has a professional admissions and recruitment procedure ensuring student intake all year round. The exchange students enjoy their time at the school, and pass the good news on down the grapevine to their friends when they get home.

On 11 June there was tangible proof that Aarhus University has focused on international exchanges: the University was the only Danish university to be awarded the highly prized ECTS label by the EU Commission. This is a stamp of quality improving the opportunities of students to standardise their grades and credit transfers. For more information please see: www.au.dk/en/news/archive/2009/150609

For further information

Anders Correll
Head of Press Affairs, Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Aarhus University
Tel.: +45 8942 2331   
Mobile:  +45 2899 2235

12 August 2009

Søren Klit Lindegaard
the Vice-Chancellor's Staff
skl@adm.au.dk