Signature Programmes
Introducing SDU’s new signature programmes
SDU is launching its first signature programmes. Five bachelor’s degree programmes have been selected by the Rectorate to be development labs for education and to offer particularly ambitious bachelor’s degree programmes to a small number of academically talented students.
History. Sports and Health. Finance. Market and Management Anthropology. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. These five bachelor’s degree programmes have been selected by the Rectorate to be the first signature programmes at SDU.
From September 2026, the five bachelor’s programmes will be structured to have an ambitious academic level, including more teaching hours, tutorials, more feedback and supervision, as well as greater integration of research into the teaching.
At the same time, the number of students admitted to the signature programmes will be reduced to ensure an academically stronger student population.
Opportunities for innovation in education programmes
The new signature programmes are a key initiative in SDU’s strategy towards 2030. The aim is for SDU to enhance the quality of education by experimenting with teaching and learning formats that are relatively resource-intensive and targeted at a smaller number of academically talented students. This provides an opportunity to generate innovation in the development of SDU’s education activities.
- We have high hopes that the teaching and learning formats that will be possible on the signature programmes will lead to more learning, stronger learning environments, higher study intensity and reduced drop-out rates, Rector Jens Ringsmose says about the upcoming signature programmes, and he adds:
- I also hope that the students on the signature programmes will thrive on the greater academic challenges and being in a study environment which brings them closer to their lecturers and to the academic community.
High ambitions and creativity
The academic environments behind the five signature programmes are now in the process of planning and deciding how the programmes should be organised – and the framework allows for variation, emphasises Jens Ringsmose.
- I have held meetings with all the faculties that have been awarded a signature programme, and I would like to commend them all for approaching the work with great ambition and plenty of creativity, he says, adding:
- It is also important to emphasise that there is considerable methodological freedom when it comes to organising the signature programmes so that they suit the various environments, provided this is in line with the overall objectives of the concept.
The long-term aim of the signature programmes is to support SDU’s ambition to prioritise quality over quantity and to invest in talent development, active learning environments and strong research-based teaching.
Ongoing evaluation
That is why Rector Jens Ringsmose is also looking forward to following the developments on the signature programmes.
- We will evaluate the signature programmes on an ongoing basis and monitor the outcome of their experimentation with other formats for teaching and learning, as well as the extent to which they contribute to the clear objectives of the concept. If the concept proves successful and other environments show an interest in establishing signature programmes, we will consider the possibilities of this.
Funds have been allocated to the signature programmes via the research reserve for the period 2026–2029, which is expected to be extended. For the first group of signature programmes, DKK 5 million has been allocated for 2026 and DKK 10 million annually from 2027 onwards.
Q&A
What is a signature programme?
A lower number of students will be admitted to selected bachelor’s programmes, and the programmes will be structured to offer an ambitious academic standard, more teaching hours, more feedback and supervision, tutorials, guest lecturers, and the integration of research into the teaching.
What signature programmes will SDU offer?
History at HUM, Sports and Health at SUND, Economics at SAMF, Market and Management Anthropology at SBS and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at NAT.
How were the programmes selected?
The Rectorate has emphasised, among other things, that the programmes are clearly research-based and anchored in a strong academic environment and that there is a commitment and dedication on the part of the management to introducing new, resource-intensive formats into the programme.
What is the aim of having signature programmes?
The aim is to improve the quality of education at SDU by experimenting with teaching and learning formats that are relatively resource-heavy, which will be targeted at a smaller number of academically strong students. This provides an opportunity to generate innovation in the development of SDU’s education activities.
What is the financial situation of the signature programmes?
Funds have been allocated to the signature programmes via the research reserve for the period 2026–2029, which is expected to be extended. For the first group of signature programmes, DKK 5 million has been allocated for 2026 and DKK 10 million annually from 2027 onwards. The resources saved due to the lower number of students will be channelled directly into improving the academic quality of the programmes.