Fewer applying to university colleges: Education program in free fall
Applications to university colleges are experiencing a significant decline, with the education program for educators being particularly hard hit. Friday marked the deadline for quota 1 applications to higher education institutions, and the Copenhagen University College reports a significant drop in the number of applications. According to the institution’s press release, the total number of applications has decreased by 2.7 percent from last year to a total of 16,836 applications.
Rector Anne Vang Rasmussen expresses great concern over the development, which she believes will have serious consequences for the entire capital region. “There will be a shortage of educators in day care centers, teachers in primary schools, nurses in hospitals, and social workers in job centers,” she says.
Especially the education program for educators is facing a serious challenge. This year, 1051 applicants have chosen this program as their top priority, which is 44 fewer than last year. The trend is downward, as 1604 applicants in 2018 had the education program for educators as their top priority – a decrease of 34 percent over six years.
Although some technological programs such as the radiography program, laboratory technician program, and bioanalyst program have experienced a slight increase in applications, the overall trend for professional education programs is concerning. Anne Vang Rasmussen is therefore looking forward to the government presenting a comprehensive reform in the field after the summer. “The reform must be broad and ambitious, so its effect can be felt in practice,” she says, emphasizing that the institution itself is working to attract more applicants.
Also, Via University College in Central Jutland is experiencing a decline in the number of first priority applications. Rector Harald Mikkelsen also calls for a comprehensive reform after the holidays. “The major challenge is that applications to the four major programs in the welfare sector – nurse, educator, teacher, and social worker – nationwide have decreased by 33 percent from 2016 to 2023,” he says.
This development forces educational institutions to act quickly to ensure that there will be enough qualified professionals in the future to maintain welfare in society.