SDU makes progress in this year's quota 2 application
The figures for this year's applications to higher education programmes via quota 2 have now been published. The University of Southern Denmark has seen an increase in the number of applications for the fourth year in a row.
Applications via quota 2 for SDU's bachelor's degree programmes in 2026 show an increase compared to last year. SDU received 18,587 applications by the deadline of 15 March, which is an increase of 11 per cent compared to 2025, when the number was 16,804. The number of first priority applications is 4,829, which is 232 more than last year and an increase of 5 per cent.
Growth in Esbjerg and Kolding – strong start in Vejle
The educational environments in SDU's campus cities Kolding and Esbjerg have seen an increase in applications. Kolding is up 24 per cent, while Esbjerg is experiencing an increase of 87 per cent.
With the creation of a new bachelor's degree programme in medicine at SDU in Esbjerg, the university now offers both bachelor's and master's degree programmes in medicine in Esbjerg, and 857 have applied for one of the 50 student places on the programme by the deadline. Psychology also accounts for part of the increase in Esbjerg with 734 applications, representing a 5 per cent increase compared to 2025.
Odense is experiencing a decline of 7 per cent, while Sønderborg is down 5 per cent compared to 2025. Vejle, which is welcoming its first students this year, has received 1,718 applications. 22 percent of them are first priority applications.
Large differences across faculties and applicant groups
Looking at the faculties, applications to the Faculty of Science are up by 91 percent, while the Faculty of Humanities is up by 15 percent and the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences by 17 percent. At the same time, the Faculty of Health Sciences is down by 9 per cent and the Faculty of Engineering by 4 per cent.
There is still a long way to go from the current number of applicants to the new students starting their programme of study in September. Many applicants apply for several programmes, and not all applicants meet the admission requirements or end up accepting a student place.
Positive trend despite changing conditions
But the increase in the number of applications is a positive trend, which pleases Rector Jens Ringsmose at SDU.
– SDU is a university with high ambitions, strong programmes and study environments that attract students with the drive and desire to improve their skills. That's why I'm pleased that this year, too, there is great interest in SDU's programmes among quota 2 applicants, and that so many have the university as their first priority, he says.
– It's gratifying that we're seeing an overall increase again this year despite changing framework conditions in the university sector, stricter admission requirements at SDU and smaller cohorts of young people. I am particularly pleased with the very positive number of applications to the programmes in Vejle. The new campus has got off to a strong start, and with more than 1,700 applications, we can see that many applicants have recognised the opportunities Vejle offers. This is very positive, emphasises Jens Ringsmose.
– We want an intake with a high academic level and competent applicants, and now we are starting the process that will lead to offers of student places at SDU.