The government has decided to increase the total number of students on the Bachelor’s degree programme in medicine at all of Denmark’s universities. At Health, 533 medical students will be admitted annually from 2019.

2018.05.17 | Mette Louise Ohana

Next year’s commencement of studies will feature even more cheering and singing as there will be approx. 68 more medical students. Photo: Lars Kruse, Aarhus University.

From next summer, even more lab coats and green operation hats will be needed at medicine as 533 students will meet up at the commencement of studies. The government has altered the sizing of the medical degree programme in Denmark to take account of the drop-out that takes place before the Master’s degree programme. After a period of uncertainty about the distribution between the universities, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science has finally published the figures. 

More students – but not that many more

According to the figures, the plan is for AU to increase admissions to medicine by 85 students – from 448 today to 533 next year. Though in reality the number is somewhat lower – actually around 68 students – as some overbooking of admissions was previously allowed to take into account dropout rates, meaning that Health has actually admitted approx. 465 medical students per year.

"It’s gratifying that we can offer even more young people a place on the medical degree programme, which is one of the most sought after degree programmes here at AU. Of course, there’s also a lot of work involved in getting everything into place for more students, including for example clinical training places at the region's hospitals, teaching space here at the university and more lecturers. But I’m certain that we and the region will get everything resolved before they start. Financing also naturally follows with the increased admission to cover the costs that it entails,” says Charlotte Ringsted, vice-dean for education at Health.

Good timing

The news of the increased number of medical students comes as the board of studies at medicine is in the process of reviewing the academic regulations.

"It’s good timing in that we’re already taking a fresh look at the medical degree programme and revising it. This gives us the opportunity to take the increased number of students into account when we plan how the teaching should take place in future,” says Charlotte Ringsted. 

Contact

Vice-dean for Education Charlotte Ringsted
Aarhus University, Health
Mobile: (+45) 9350 8222
Email: charlotte.ringsted@au.dk