AU submits its proposal for its Master’s degree programme portfolio anno 2028
Following an extensive preparatory process, Aarhus University has now submitted its proposal for what its revised portfolio of Master’s degree programmes might look like from 2028. All eight of the Danish universities have submitted separate proposals to the Ministry of Higher Education and Science for review.
Even though most of the university’s Master’s degree programmes will still be two-year programmes, there will be significant changes in the portfolio of Master’s degree programmes offered at Aarhus University from 2028.
About one-fourth of the students who start a Master’s degree programme in 2028 will enrol in either a work-integrated Master’s programme or one of the new 75-ECTS programmes. Based on a thorough analysis, Aarhus University has developed a proposal to restructure its Master’s degree programme portfolio that meets the requirements of the Master’s degree reform. The proposal is described in the institutional plan that Aarhus University – along with the other Danish universities – has just submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
“Although we’ll continue to allocate the majority of Master’s degree places to the kind of two-year, 120 ECTS-credit programmes we have always offered, it’s been an enormous and complex task to develop a plan that’s realistic and that aligns with the reform agreement. Our highest priority has been ensuring that we will continue to offer young people and society degree programmes of extremely high quality. Through dialogue with external stakeholders and with great respect for our strong academic disciplines, we’ve arrived at the best possible solution,” Rector Brian Bech Nielsen said.
“A lot of hard work has gone into this”
Pro-rector Berit Eika elaborated on how much hard work the disciplinary groups have invested in analysing the academic substance of their degree programmes and engaging with employers to identify which programmes had the greatest potential for restructuring:
“Speaking for the senior management team, we think it’s important to acknowledge that the departments have taken a committed, constructive approach to developing the plan we’ve now landed. It’s no secret that the reform wasn’t our own invention, but fortunately, we’ve managed to find the solutions that are needed. From 2028, we’ll still be offering high-quality degree programmes, regardless of format.”
Increased focus on 75 ECTS was necessary
The potential upsides of the new Master’s degree programmes haven’t been immediately obvious to the rest of society. For example, employers’ interest in committing to four-year work-integrated Master’s degree programme has been limited. This is particularly true within the humanities and social sciences, Rector Bech Nielsen said.
“On the other hand, we’re seeing demand for the new 1+2 model in the STEM and engineering programmes, where students get a year of full-time study with an SU grant followed by two years of part-time work combined with part-time study. In fact, the university has used its entire 1+2 quota – 193 students places – on these subjects. The model was introduced for engineering and STEM degree programmes in the supplementary political agreement of December 2024, and unfortunately, it can’t be used for humanities and social sciences programmes,” he added.
AU is proposing to convert a total of 284 humanities student places and 489 social sciences student places to one-year Master’s programmes. Natural Sciences (42 places) and Health (42 places) will also introduce 75-ECTS programmes.
A plan to be proud of
Aarhus University has prioritised developing one-year 75-ECTS credit programmes which make it possible to address demand for new competency profiles. Rector Bech Nielsen said:
“A total rethink was required, particularly at Arts and Aarhus BSS, where they’ve accomplished a major overhaul of their total degree programme portfolio, in order to succeed in putting together a proposal that offers attractive, high-quality degree programmes which are also aligned with the needs of employers and coordinated with the other Danish educational institutions. This goes across the board, and we owe everyone who has contributed a resounding thank you. I believe we can be proud of the product we’re submitting to the ministry.”The rector is now awaiting the political response to the institutional plans—and, not least, the ministerial orders that will establish the legal framework for the new degree programme formats.
The ministry will now review each of the eight universities’ proposals, which will then be submitted to the political parties behind the reform agreement.
- More information on the reform (English version of the institutional plan available by mid-June)
Excerpts from the faculties’ plans:
- Arts: In 2028, 19% of Master’s degree places will be on 75-ECTS programmes; 3% will be on work-integrated Master’s degree programmes.
- Aarhus BSS: In 2028, 23% of Master’s degree places will be on 75-ECTS programmes; 3% will be on work-integrated Master’s degree programmes.
- Natural Sciences: In 2028, 10% of Master’s degree places will be on 75-ECTS programmes; 21% will be on work-integrated Master’s degree programmes (1+2 model).
- Health: Plans to offer 3% of Master’s degree places as 75-ECTS programmes; 5% will be on work-integrated Master’s degree programmes.
- Technical Sciences: In 2028, 19% of Master’s degree places will be 1+2 work-integrated Master’s degree programmes , while 2% will be other types of 21% will be on work-integrated Master’s degree programmes. Tech is not planning to offer 75-ECTS programmes.