The number of applications for Health's study programmes has once again reached new heights with a six per cent increase in applications compared to last year. The degree programme in medicine has in particular received more applications. It is now the second most applied for degree programme in the country.

2016.08.30 | Mette Louise Ohana

In September the University Park will come to life again as more than 7,000 new students start at AU, including almost 800 who begin one of Health's study programmes. Photo: Anders Trærup, AU.

Once again this year, Health can report that all places have been filled on its healthcare degree programmes. The medical degree programme is particularly popular and has once again this year experienced an increase in the number of applicants. Odontology and sport science have also seen an increase. The total number of applications to the healthcare degree programmes has increased by a total of 11 per cent since 2012. The large number of applications means that four out of five applicants fail to find a place.

 "The increase in the total number of applications to Health is primarily due to a significant increase in the number of quota 2 applications to the degree programme in medicine, where we have doubled quota 2 admissions to 20 per cent this year. But there is still a good increase in several of the other degree programmes and a total increase of 11 per cent in first priority applications. So that all in all, we can only be satisfied with the popularity of the healthcare degree programmes, and with the fact that so many people wish to study at our faculty," says Dean Allan Flyvbjerg, who is looking forward to welcoming the almost 800 new students in September.

High average marks 

Once again, the large number of applications combined with the number of available places has forced up the minimum required mark in several of the degree programmes. This year, admission to the degree programme in medicine requires an average mark of 10.9 via quota 1, while studying odontology requires an average of 10.3. Sport science has also increased this year to 7.9 after a fall to 6.9 last year.

 "By increasing quota 2 admissions to medicine, we are trying to create a counterweight so we make room for students who do not meet the high mark requirements, but who are motivated and possess some of the right qualifications that we know are important when working as a medical doctor, such as for example communication skills and robustness," explains Allan Flyvbjerg.

 In general, the new students admitted to Health have a very high average mark. No less than 64 per cent have an average mark of 10.1 or above, while only two per cent of the students admitted to Health have an average of 6.1-7.0.

More men and fewer foreigners

Even though women still clearly dominate the degree programmes at Health, slightly more men have begun at the faculty. This year, 32 per cent of the places have been offered to men, compared to 28 per cent last year.

On the other hand, there has been a decline in the proportion of students with foreign citizenship who are admitted. At Health the total has fallen by 18 per cent, which corresponds to 13 fewer foreign students. The fall has taken place among the Nordic applicants.

The statistics for this year's applications and offers of admission can be seen here (in Danish). 

Further information

Dean Allan Flyvbjerg
Aarhus University, Health
Mobile: (+45) 5177 9548 
dean.health@au.dk