More applicants expected after corona: AU establishes 539 new student places
The corona crisis could mean that more young people apply for higher education programmes, and therefore the government has asked universities to set up more student places. Among other areas, AU will be expanding engineering.
Establish new student places – preferably straight after the summer holidays.
This was the call from the government and the Danish Parliament to higher education programmes. The government expects the corona crisis to encourage more young people than usual to apply for a higher education programme, for example because they cannot take a year out to travel or work.
For this reason, Aarhus University has been working hard to offer more student places after the summer holidays, and as a result, an exceptional 539 more student places than last year will be offered. The places have been split between 231 on engineering programmes, 152 on science programmes, 147 on economics programmes at Aarhus BSS, and nine extra places on health sciences programmes.
"I'm pleased that we've been able to act so quickly, and meet demand from even more young people who are currently considering applying for a place at AU. That we’ve been able to create extra places in areas where there is high demand from the labour market is good for the young people and for society. Places include degree programmes within the engineering and digitalisation area," says Rector Brian Bech Nielsen.
Pro-rector Berit Eika elaborates:
"It may seem simple, but in fact it’s no easy task to increase the number of student places at such short notice. We need rooms, infrastructure and, not least, teaching staff. We owe a very big thank-you to the academic environments and our study administration, who have made great efforts to make it all happen," she says.
Focus on employment
Part of the government’s requirement was that the extra places are in specific subject areas in which employers want more graduates, and in which students can make a contribution to the green transition.
"Engineering and digitalisation programmes fit this requirement to a tee. I hope that a lot of young people who might not have been planning to apply this year will now take a closer look at our degree programmes. And I encourage them to contact our supervisors to find the best possible match. Even though some may have to make a study choice earlier than planned, the most important thing is to make the right choice. They should choose with both their brain and their heart," says Eskild Holm Nielsen, dean of Technical Sciences, where Aarhus University's engineering programmes are based.