CBS ad­apts mas­ter pro­grammes to re­form and a new real­ity

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is preparing a comprehensive modernisation of their master portfolio as the political agreement on ‘Reform of university education in Denmark’ is implemented.

From 2032, CBS must offer at least 40 per cent of master programme places as 1-year programmes or part-time master programmes.  To meet this requirement, Senior Management will present a plan for the transition that involves difficult priorities.

Discontinuations are necessary to create space

Although CBS rejects about two in three applicants to their master programmes every year, the university is prevented from opening more places due to political agreements.

Consequently, CBS will rethink a range of existing programmes in the new formats. To develop new 1-year master programmes and part-time master programmes, it is also necessary to discontinue some of the existing 2-year programmes.

From 2026, enrolment will close for the MSc in Economics and Business Administration in People and Business Development, and from 2028, enrolment will close for the MSc in Economics and Business Administration in Sales Management as well as cand.merc.(kom.) – erhvervsøkonomi og virksomhedskommunikation (MSc in Business Administration and Organisational Communication).

Dean of Education at CBS, Anna Thomasson explains that the decision is based on an overall assessment of overlap with other CBS programmes, national programme coverage and labour market demand:

“This is a difficult priority, but we are phasing out the programmes where the academic content is best covered by other programmes at CBS and at other universities.  This allows us to invest in the areas where CBS plays a unique role in the education landscape.” 

Even closer to the business community

CBS’ new master programmes will be developed in close dialogue with the entire CBS organisation as well as with the university’s employers. The new formats offer a particular opportunity to link teaching even more closely to the business community:

“CBS has always had a close partnership with the business community, but with the new formats we need to move even closer. This applies to the 1-year programmes, which have a shorter pathway to the labour market, and the part-time master programmes, where career development and learning must go hand in hand,” says Anna Thomasson.

Exactly what the new programmes will look like will for this reason remain open. Anna Thomasson emphasises, however, that CBS will address the challenges facing the business community, including those related to AI, digitalisation and geopolitical change: 

“AI is transforming all parts of business life, geopolitical tensions are shaking value chains, and companies’ dilemmas are becoming increasingly complex. CBS’ master programmes must ensure that Denmark attracts top talent and that companies gain specialists and leaders who can navigate this reality.”

A cultural shift towards lifelong learning

Lifelong learning is a central element of the master programme reform, and the new programme formats are intended to contribute to creating a ‘cultural shift’ in Denmark – a shift that Anna Thomasson says CBS is also ready to invest in:

“CBS is Denmark’s largest university in lifelong learning. We know how professional experience can enhance individual learning, so CBS should be a natural learning partner for everyone looking to develop their career, and I look forward to working with companies on the new tools that are also part of the reform.”