Roskilde University to adjust the range of master's degree programmes
The government and the conciliation parties have adopted the ‘Reform of university education in Denmark’, which means that universities will have to admit fewer students and, as such, a significant number of master's programmes will be shortened. At Roskilde University, this will have consequences for a number of the 31 different 2-year master's degree programmes that exist today.
‘These are good programmes that educate many talented graduates. But we are faced with a fixed task and a reduced framework, which means that a number of programmes cannot continue as independent programmes,’ says Rector Hanne Leth Andersen.
Specifically, the government's reform will mean that RUC will have to admit approximately 200 fewer master's students annually. And some of the master's students admitted will be enrolled in the shorter 1-year master's programmes or business master's programmes.
‘We want to concentrate students on fewer programmes in the future in order to maintain and develop strong academic environments as the basis for all programmes – and to ensure that graduates have an academic profile that gives them the best conditions for employment,’ says Hanne Leth Andersen.
Future-proofing Roskilde University
Roskilde University is experiencing a positive development, and the goal of the management's proposal for a new graduate landscape is to support this positive development and ensure long-term financial and academic sustainability in the overall educational landscape.
‘RUC's number of applicants has increased significantly in recent years, while we have more than doubled the amount of external research funding since 2019. We are in a strong position in these areas. However, more 1-year and fewer 2-year master's degree programmes will be offered in the future, and in addition, the government is reducing the total number of study places at universities. As such, we need to ensure that both quality and finances are aligned,’ says Hanne Leth Andersen.
Which study programmes are likely to be affected?
On Thursday, November 14, the management at RUC presented a proposal with some specific changes that could come into effect in the period 2028-2032. In this proposal it is suggested that 12 programmes will not continue independently, but will be merged with or contribute to other programmes:
• Arbejdsliv
• By & Plan
• Chemical Biology
• Dansk
• Historie
• Filosofi og Videnskabsteori
• International Politics and Governance
• Kulturmødestudier
• Physics and Scientific Modelling
• Samfundsjura
• Social Entrepreneurship and Management
• Social Intervention
From mid-November to mid-December, RUC's study boards, department councils, education committees, Academic Council, LSU and HSU will be consulted. The university's employer panels will also be heard.
The management will then consider the input they receive before adopting a final plan for RUC's future university landscape, which must be submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education and Science in January 2025.