IT degree programmes behind sharp rise in quota 2 applications to Aarhus University
AU’s natural science degree programmes have received over twice as many applications as last year, and social science programmes have also attracted more prospective students. All five faculties have seen a rise in quota 2 applications.
![[Translate to English:] Et foto af fire potentielle studerende til Aarhus Universitet. Er fotograferet udenfor under en rundvisning ifm. en studiepraktik.](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/c/csm_2024_10_24_studiepraktik_Rundvisning-10-preview_edfbeea9ab.jpg)
8,061 first-choice applications and 11% more prospective students than last year.
These are the figures from today’s quota 2 application deadline at Aarhus University. All five faculties have seen an increase in applications, but the growth is primarily driven by three English-taught IT degree programmes, which attracted a total of 468 first-choice applications.
“Denmark and Aarhus University are attractive study destinations, and the figures show that we also have a strong foundation for recruiting international students in fields with a high labour demand,” says Pro-rector Berit Eika, who emphasises that the three IT degree programmes have received exceptionally high interest from other EU countries.
“It makes a lot of sense to admit students at Bachelor’s level because they have more time to integrate into Danish society and the Danish labour market. That’s why we’re committed to increasing the number of English-taught student places on our Bachelor’s degree programmes.”
The business and social science programmes at Aarhus BSS also showed significant growth with 274 more first-choice applications – an increase of 9% on last year. Arts, Technical Sciences and Health also saw a moderate rise in first-choice applications.
Sector resizing means fewer student places
“In addition to international interest, the sharp rise in quota 2 applications this year might also be explained by the fact that we’re offering fewer student places as a result of sector resizing. Reducing admissions creates uncertainty around what minimum average grades will be in the future, and this may have prompted more people to apply through quota 2 rather than quota 1. This is certainly one of the messages that our student advisers wanted to get out to prospective students, and it’s encouraging to think that many young people have taken it on board,” explains Berit Eika.
The pro-rector also emphasises that, regardless of the reason for the increase, we should think twice before trying to predict this summer’s quota 1 figures based on quota 2 numbers.
“At this stage, we’re just excited about the high level of interest, and we look forward to welcoming a new cohort of talented and motivated students,” she concludes.