Aarhus University is experiencing a significant increase in the number of applications for Bachelor’s degree programmes this year – and a corresponding increase in the number of applicants specifying Aarhus University as first priority.

Altogether this year, Aarhus University has received 17,017 applications, which corresponds to an increase of 37.4% compared with last year. 7,796 applicants list Aarhus University as their first priority, and the number of first priority applications has thus increased by 36.4% compared with last year, when there was an overall decline in the number of students applying to Danish universities, including a minor drop to Aarhus University.

As early as April, there were indications that coming students regarded Aarhus University as a popular educational institution. The number of quota 2 applicants to Aarhus University showed an increase of 40% compared with 2008, and the national average for Denmark was 23%.

“It’s very pleasing for us to ascertain that a considerable number of students are interested in getting a degree at Aarhus University. We’re naturally particularly proud that so many have chosen Aarhus University as their first priority. The university is now working at full speed to meet the requests for degree programmes from as many applicants as possible, and we’re looking forward to being able to welcome a great number of talented new students on 1 September,” says a very satisfied Vice-Chancellor Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen.

The most significant increase in first priority applications (73.9%) experienced by Aarhus University is at the Faculty of Health Sciences – especially in medicine, where the number of applications has increased 100%. Social Sciences and Humanities have received 40.4% and 33.9% more first priority applications, respectively.

The increase in the number of applicants to the Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University (ASB), amounts to a very good 30.4% altogether, with 27.8% of these listing ASB as first priority. This increase is impressive considering that the Aarhus School of Business also received a boost in the number of applications last year.

Satisfactory increases at Theology (17.6%) and Science (14%) include 26.9% and 20.7% more first priority applications, respectively. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences maintains status quo as regards students applying to its new agricultural degree programmes.

See the table below for specific figures and the procentual change compared with last year.

If one regards 2008 as a “lopsided year” and studies the trends from 2007 to 2009, serious progress at Aarhus University has been made by the Aarhus School of Business and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

It should also be noted that the Danish School of Education, Aarhus University, does not admit students to Bachelor’s degree programmes, and admissions to its Master’s degree programmes are carried out separately.

Record intake in store

The applications will now be assessed, but based on the impressive increased interest, Head of Department Eva Teilmann already estimates that the university will break its record as regards admitting new students.

“The very great increase this year means that the total figures are even higher than the record set in 2007. There is probably no one single explanation for the significant increase in application figures. Even though Aarhus University is experiencing a significant increase this year, there is a general tendency towards more applications for higher education all over Denmark. I think that a lot of young people have considered their situation in the light of the financial crisis, and have reached the conclusion that having a good education to fall back on is not such a bad idea,” she says.

Eva Teilmann points out that the boom in applications will also mean disappointment for many applicants.

“Unfortunately, this means that we have to reject many students hoping to be admitted. We can’t simply increase the intake to match the extraordinary number of applications. We have to ensure that we have the necessary capacity – with regard to both lecturers and teaching facilities, etc. And very importantly, we have to provide a good study environment,” she says.

Applicants will receive an answer to their applications by 30 July.

More information:

Vice-Chancellor Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen
Mobile: +45 2338 2126

Head of Department Eva Teilmann
Direct: +45 8942 1055
Mobile: +45 2899 2427

Special contact person for each main academic area:

Faculty of Humanities
Dean Bodil Due +45 6020 2740

Faculty of Social Sciences
Dean Svend Hylleberg +45 2338 2020
Head of Section Lene Hjøllund +45 2398 2103

Faculty of Theology
Dean Carsten Riis +45 2899 2237

Faculty of Science
Dean Erik Meineche Schmidt +45 2338 2376

Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University
Vice-Dean Peder Østergaard +45 2679 8554

Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Head of Department Eva Teilmann +45 8942 1055, +45 2899 2427

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