More applicants make the sensible choice

By Kent Kristensen, kk@sdu.dk

 A total of 6,478 young people have declared that SDU is their first choice of university: an increase of 5% compared to last year.
Such is the state of play after the final count of applications for undergraduate programmes. The deadline was 5 July.

Positive figures

 “The figures look positive. We are particularly pleased that more young people are being more realistic this year and choosing courses, for which they have a better chance of being admitted,” says Bjarne Graabech Sørensen, Vice Rector of SDU.

He can confirm that the increased interest among young people covers a broad spectrum this year. That means that SDU is experiencing progress in four of the University’s five faculties.

More young people want to be engineers

 In particular, there is an increased focus on technical courses, and more applicants than previously are applying for engineering courses.

Applications for MSc courses in Software Engineering, Robot Technology and BSc courses in Global Management and Manufacturing have seen a particular increase.
The total number of applications for the Faculty of Engineering has increased by 15% compared to last year.

 But the Humanities have also experienced increased interest.

Here there is an increase of 8%. English language courses such as the BA in Business, Language and Culture, and English and American Studies have seen a significant rise in the number of applications.

In the field of Social Sciences, Law is very popular, while in Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Physics courses have captured particular interest.

More realistic

Conversely, not nearly as many students have applied for Medicine and Journalism as in previous years. But since they were very popular programmes with a limited number of places, the University has traditionally had to reject many applicants.

”So it is quite logical that some young people may have been more realistic in focusing on other options,” says Bjarne Graabech Sørensen.

Answer on 30 July

Since 2008, SDU has had an uninterrupted increase in the number of first priorities: in other words, the number of applicants who choose a course at SDU as their preference.

”This is very satisfying, even though growth is not a critical parameter for us. Our main priority is the quality of our programmes, so we ensure a demand for our graduates,” underlines Bjarne Graabech Sørensen.

SDU has received about 20,000 applications. On 30 July, all universities must let their applicants know whether or not they have been admitted to their chosen course.

First priority applications across faculties

First priority applications across campus towns