CBS enrols fewer students in 2025 despite high interest
ENROLMENT 2025: Once again this year, CBS has seen a massive interest in its bachelor programmes. However, due to a political agreement that requires Danish universities to scale down the number of study places, we are admitting fewer students than last year.
Shortly after midnight on 28 July, this year's applicants received news on whether they had been offered a study place. Once again, CBS is fully booked.
A total of 9,001 young people has applied to CBS in 2025, which is close to the record year 2024 with 9,176 applicants. 6,472 applicants have chosen a bachelor's program at CBS as their first priority.Butdespite the growing interest, only 2915 applicants have been offered a place, down from 3,265 last year.
"We are happy to welcome a new group of ambitious and dedicated students. Again this year, we have received a vast number of applications, which shows that interest in CBS remains strong. Unfortunately, we have had to reject more applicants than usual because of the sectoral dimensioning. We would have liked to admit more if we had been allowed to,” says Anna Thomasson, Dean of Education.
She also points out that it is regrettable to turn away so many qualified applicants:
”It is painful to say no to talented young people – especially when we know how strong the demand for CBS graduates is in the business community.”
A warm welcome from the president
CBS President Peter Møllgaard highlights that student life is about much more than academic challenges:
“In the years to come, our new students will not only develop strong academic competences – they will also learn to think creatively and act responsibly in a world full of complex societal challenges,” he says and adds:
“Studying at CBS means entering new surroundings, forming new relationships and facing high expectations – something that can be exciting and overwhelming. That is why we do everything we can to ensure a safe and inspiring start to student life, where everyone feels welcome and prepared.”
The new semester begins on Monday 1 September, when CBS opens its doors to another group of students.
Facts: what is sectorial dimensioning?
- Background: A political agreement requires Danish universities to reduce the number of bachelor study places as part of a national dimensioning plan.
- CBS’ reduction: In 2025, CBS is allowed to admit a maximum of 2,556 bachelor students (as per 1 October) – 315 fewer than in 2024. This corresponds to a reduction of almost 11 percent.
- Discontinuation of programmes: CBS has decided to discontinue three bachelor programmes that together enrolled 372 students in 2024 and to increase the number of places in other programmes.
- Consequences: CBS President Peter Møllgaard warns that the dimensioning may harm the Danish business community and lead to higher admission thresholds and reduced social and geographic diversity among students.