Increase in applications for SDU’s degree programmes
Once again this year, there are positive trends in applications for bachelor’s degree programmes at the University of Southern Denmark, with an increase in the number of applications to five out of six faculties. In addition, there is considerable interest in the programmes at SDU Vejle and SDU Business School.
By 12.00 on 5 July, the University of Southern Denmark had received 22,184 applications for its bachelor's degree programmes. This figure represents an 8 per cent increase compared with last year. The number of applicants choosing an SDU programme as their first choice has also risen compared with last year.
There has been an increase in applications to the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and SDU Business School. The same applies to the Faculty of Humanities, which is seeing an increase in the number of applications for the first time in several years. Only the Faculty of Health Sciences has seen a decline.
At the Faculty of Science, there are a full 49 per cent more first-choice applications compared with last year – which is primarily due to new degree programmes in Vejle.
Strong support for SDU Vejle and SDU Business School
The University of Southern Denmark is opening SDU Vejle on 1 September, and there is very strong interest in studying the programmes in Advanced IT, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science there. A total of 1,786 applications have been submitted to SDU Campus Vejle. 398 of these are first-choice applications.
In 2025, it was decided to establish SDU Business School as an independent faculty. With a 15 per cent increase in the number of applications to SDU Business School compared with last year, SDU Business School is heading into the coming semester on a strong footing.
- It is with great pleasure that we note the significant interest in our new campus in Vejle and SDU Business School. At a time of smaller cohorts of young people and fierce competition for students, it is very positive that more are choosing SDU. This growth demonstrates that our programmes are relevant, attractive and closely aligned with the needs of society and the labour market,” says Stinne Hørup Hansen, deputy director of studies.
Growth in flagship programmes
It is also encouraging that SDU’s recently selected flagship programmes are attracting significant interest from applicants.
Last autumn, SDU approved the five programmes: History, Sport and Health, Economics, Marketing and Management Anthropology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – as signature programmes, through which SDU aims to enhance the quality of education using relatively resource-intensive teaching formats targeted at a smaller number of academically strong students.
Increased European interest
There is considerable interest in becoming part of the international academic environment at SDU, and every year many international applicants apply to the university. This year has seen a significant increase in the number of applications from European countries (the Nordic countries, the EU/EEA) of almost 40 per cent compared with 2025, whilst it is worth noting that the number of applications from countries outside Europe is falling.
Final decision on 28 July
Over the coming weeks, SDU will be working to offer places to the best-qualified applicants and to prepare for the study start, ensuring that new students quickly become part of strong academic and social communities. Admission letters will be sent out on 28 July, and applicants must confirm by 3 August at the latest whether they wish to accept their place and begin their studies at SDU.