Significantly more people in Denmark were given study guidance this summer

In the weeks after the process of admissions to higher education, Study and Career Guidance Denmark has offered 570 percent more study guidance by phone compared to 2019. The Minister for Higher Education and Science is pleased that more people have used the extended guidance service offered this year.

Press release, August 27, 2020

The phones have simply not stopped ringing at Study and Career Guidance Denmark in July and August. On 28 July 2020, this year's applicants to higher education were notified whether or not they had been offered a study place. A new initiative this year was that rejected applicants also received a text message informing them that Study and Career Guidance Denmark was ready to help them.

In weeks 31 and 32, Study and Career Guidance Denmark offered 1,320 people study guidance by phone, an increase of 570 percent over the same period last year. The Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, is pleased that the extended guidance service offered this year has been so well used.

- I am really happy that so many people have used this opportunity to get help, which can be decisive for individual applicants in a year when so many people have applied for places in higher education that in some areas it has been a struggle to get a place. A rejection does not necessarily mean a closed door. We have an education system that offers many different opportunities and avenues of study, allowing people to adjust their dreams of the future along the way. This summer, the extended guidance service has been an important tool. This may well be something we shall continue to work on in the years to come, says Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

Because of COVID-19, it was expected that more people would apply for places in higher education this year. In June, therefore, the Danish government, together with  all the parties in Paliament, allocated funds allowing educational institutions to create 5,000 extra study places in 2020 and 2021.

As part of the political agreement, an additional DKK 10 million was set aside for extra guidance efforts - both leading up to the application deadline and in connection with supplementary admissions. More specifically, this has meant more employees at Study and Career Guidance Denmark, so that opening hours at guidance centres and for the telephone service could be extended.

And these services have really been needed, says Mathilde Tronegård, Director at Study and Career Guidance Denmark.

- There is no doubt that increased outreach efforts have led more people to seek guidance. We meet downcast young people who have been rejected, and feel they have been given a slap in the face. It is our job to help them move on to find alternatives. It's not about them getting them just to apply, no matter what. It's about showing them the whole palette of opportunities, helping them move towards courses of study that interest them and to give them the opportunity to continue to pursue their ideas of the good life. Fortunately, most people leave here with less of a load on their shoulders and with a different view of things, she concludes.

The Minister for Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, has visited the Study and Career Guidance Denmark Centre for the Capital and Bornholm on Thursday August 27 2020.

Facts:

In June, the Danish government and all parliamentary parties agreed to set aside a total of DKK 210 million to fund 5,000 extra study places in 2020 and 2021, of which DKK 10 million were earmarked for extended guidance services.

These extended guidance services included, for example, expanding the guidance services at Study and Career Guidance Denmark, and special guidance efforts targeting rejected applicants.

One new initiative was that when applicants received a letter of rejection from the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, they were given extra information about their guidance options and directly referred to Study and Career Guidance Denmark with an internet link and telephone number. Moreover, on July 29, the same group received a text message informing them of guidance options, plus a telephone number and internet link to Study and Career Guidance Denmark.

Leading up to the application deadline on July 5, 2020, there had already been 28 percent more inquiries to Study and Career Guidance Denmark. In weeks 31 and 32, Study and Career Guidance Denmark offered 1,320 people study guidance by phone, an increase of 570 percent over the same period in 2019, when the number of people offered telephone guidance was 197.

In addition, as part of the extended guidance initiatives, there have been significant improvements to the digital guidance platform, Education Guide (www.ug.dk).

A total of 94,604 people applied for places in higher education this year. This is on a par with the record year of 2016.

On July 28, 2020, 69,526 applicants were offered a place in higher education - the highest number ever.

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 For more information, contact:

Press inquiries to the Minister for Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, as well as inquiries connected with visiting Study and Career Guidance Denmark: the Ministry's press telephone: +45 7231 8181. 

For inquiries regarding Study and Career Guidance Denmark's guidance services: Director Mathilde Tronegård: +45 3333 2001.