New IT and STEM Programmes Approved for SDU Vejle
Eight new IT and STEM programs will lay the foundations for an international research and education environment at the new campus.
Minister for Education and Science, Christina Egelund, has approved eight new programmes for SDU Vejle. This is a crucial milestone in the establishment of the University's new campus in Vejle, which will offer bachelor's degrees in areas such as AI, computer science, software engineering, and game and interaction technology. The approval means that SDU can now proceed with the plans to admit the first students in 2026.
Strong Partnership Supports the Establishment of the New Campus
In parallel with the minister's approval, SDU has entered into a collaboration agreement with the LEGO Group, Vejle Municipality as well as the companies Kirk Kapital A/S, Bagger-Sørensen & Co A/S and Givesco A/S. The agreement aims to strengthen the research and education environment in Vejle and support the ambition of an internationally oriented campus focused on IT and STEM programmes.
Jens Ringsmose, Rector of SDU, sees the approval of the education programmes and the strong partnership as crucial steps for SDU Vejle:
-With the approval of the new programmes, we can now realise the vision of SDU Vejle as a powerhouse for IT and STEM education in Denmark. At the same time, we are incredibly pleased with the strong commitment from the business community, particularly the LEGO Group. Their support is crucial for creating an international research and education environment that can attract the most talented people and strengthen innovation in the Triangle Region. The collaboration brings us closer to our goal of establishing a world-class university in Vejle that will benefit students, businesses and society at large.
The Business Community Supports SDU Vejle
SDU's collaboration with the LEGO Group was first announced in October last year, when the company, along with Vejle Municipality, was the first to support the development of the new campus. The LEGO Group contributes, among other things, to the funding of centres at the Faculties of Engineering and Science, where heads of centre are employed as "LEGO® Chairs" – a model that supports the close interaction between business and university in terms of teaching and research.
Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group, sees the collaboration as an important strategic investment:
-The collaboration with SDU Vejle is an investment in the digital talents of the future. We have an ambition to attract and develop the best specialists in software, AI, and digitalisation, and SDU Vejle will provide us with a strong platform to enhance our knowledge sharing and recruitment.
With the Minister's approval of the programmes and the strong partnership with the business community, SDU Vejle is now a significant step closer to welcoming the first students in 2026.
Read more about SDU Vejle at www.sdu.dk/en/vejle
Timeline for SDU Vejle
2024/25: Recruitment of academic staff.
2025: The Minister for Education and Research has approved the 8 new programmes.
2026: The first students will be admitted to the bachelor's programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Interactive Technology Engineering.
2028: The first master's students will be admitted to the new master's programmes.
2030: The first master’s students will graduate.
About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark welcomed its first students in Odense in September 1966, and since then things have been going strong. SDU currently has five faculties with around 20,000 students from both Denmark and abroad. There are approx. 4,100 full-time equivalents at SDU, distributed among almost 7,000 employees who work on the main campus in Odense as well as on the regional campuses in Slagelse, Kolding, Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Copenhagen – and soon also in Vejle.
The University of Southern Denmark strives to be known and recognised for motivating, excellent, coherent and diverse university frameworks that are committed to supporting talent development in education and research for the benefit of society.
About the LEGO Group
The LEGO Group’s mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO® bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine.
The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words LEg GOdt, which mean ‘Play Well’.
Today, the LEGO Group remains a family-owned company headquartered in Billund. Its products are now sold in more than 120 countries worldwide.
Location of SDU Vejle
The new university will be located at Nordkajen, which is a part of Fjordbyen in Vejle.
At Nordkajen, the University will have a central location in the new, future harbour district, close to the city's knowledge-based businesses and public transportation options. The University and the students on its programmes will breathe life into Fjordbyen, thereby actively contributing to the identity creation of the district and to the overall vision of the district.
Until the university buildings at Nordkajen are completed, it is expected that SDU Vejle will be temporarily located in Spinderihallerne in Vejle. Spinderihallerne houses one of Denmark's largest development and innovation environments and is operated by Vejle Municipality.