Université danoise abolishes Master's program following disputes about foreign students
Roskilde University (RUC) has announced the closure of its Master's programme in Business Administration and Leadership, effective from 2026. The decision comes in response to a controversy surrounding the high intake of international students from Bangladesh, which has been a subject of debate in recent months.
The controversy arose after conservative newspaper Berlingske reported an increase in enrolment of foreign students from non-EU countries, primarily Bangladesh, boosting the university's revenues. This sparked consistent and broad criticism, leading to the resignation of the Director of the Board at RUC, Carsten Toft Boesen.
Helle Leth Andersen, Rector of Roskilde University, described the closure of the Master's programme as a 'very drastic measure.' She expressed her expectation that the new measures will result in a markedly different intake of international students.
The decision to close the programme was made following dialogue with the ministry's Agency for Higher Education and Science. The aim is to reduce admissions to postgraduate degrees with a large number of international students from Bangladesh and achieve a 'more balanced' intake of international students.
Minister of Higher Education and Research, Christina Egelund, stated that the ability of international students to bring spouses and children to Denmark is a 'parametre' that needs to be re-evaluated. She claimed that the primary intention of some students from Bangladesh is not to study, but to work, which she finds unacceptable.
Egelund also admitted during a parliamentary consultation that many students from Bangladesh who have recently enrolled in Danish universities may not meet the necessary prerequisites for higher education.
RUC has defended its admission policies and denied favoring fee-paying international students for financial reasons. However, as part of the measures to address the controversy, language requirements, winter admissions, certificate checks, and fees on programmes with high international demand have been tightened at Roskilde University.
The university is set to look into further actions aimed at programmes with high international admissions. Roskilde University encourages students from Bangladesh studying at the university or other Danish universities to share their experiences.
The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Research has announced plans to tighten rules for enrolment of non-EU international students from 2026. This is part of a broader effort to ensure that students who come to Denmark are genuinely interested in studying and meeting the necessary academic standards.
The controversy over Roskilde University's enrolment of international students is just one aspect of a larger debate about immigration and integration in Denmark. For more information, you can find related articles about the controversy over international student enrolments, the Danish minister under pressure, the Danish government appointing experts for citizenship 'screening', and the Copenhagen mayor's hope for a cap on rent in the Danish capital.
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