Pro­file

1. On 1 August 2011, CBS received accreditation by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) as the first school in Scandinavia. 
2. Since 2000, CBS has been accredited by EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) 
3. Since 2007, also by AMBA (Association of MBAs). 

CBS has thus acquired ’The Triple Crown’, an acknow ledgement shared by less than 150 institutions worldwide. CBS is the Danish member of CEMS – The Global Alliance in Management Education and a member of Partnership in International Management (PIM)

A new board of external members
Just a few months into his term of office, the newly appointed Minister of Education Helge Sander initiates an amendment of the existing University Act. The new act is passed in May 2003 by a large parliamentary majority. The new division of labour and structure leads to the dissolution of the Advisory Council, Handelshøjskolen’s supreme collegiate body, in late 2004. It is replaced by a new board of external members who are accountable to the minister, with whom development contracts are to be continually drawn up. Chair of the new board, the CBS Board of Directors, is former CEO and Managing Director of B&O Anders Knutsen. The Academic Council is also established, and the study boards are upheld.

A slight change to the name
Handelshøjskolen once again makes a slight change to its name and is now called ‘Copenhagen Business School – Handelshøjskolen i København’.

CBS Case Competitions is launched
In 2002 the first of many CBS Case Competitions is successfully launched. It becomes an annual event and develops into a key attraction.

Launch of the tri-continental GLOBE programme
A new exchange programme is established for the BSc in International Business, reserved for top-performing students. Called Global Learning Opportunities in Business Education (GLOBE), the initiative represents a new tri-continental partnership between the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of North Carolina and Copenhagen Business School. Approximately 15 students from each year are chosen and given the opportunity to spend four months at each university.

The building of the Wedge (Kilen) is completed
The building of the Wedge (Kilen) is completed in autumn 2005. Designed by architects Lundgaard & Tranberg, the building is an architectural highlight in the history of the school’s buildings

Finn-Junge Jesen steps down
After more than 20 years in office, President Finn Junge-Jensen steps down. A new president is appointed, the choice falling on Swedish Johan Roos, who leaves his position as professor of strategy and dean at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Copenhagen Business School obtains the Triple CrownIn 
2006, Copenhagen Business School wins the title of Nordic champion in quality assurance at a Nordic conference on quality assurance in Helsinki. Already holding the accreditation from European EQUIS, Copenhagen Business School applies for American accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools (AACSB) and the British Association of MBAs (AMBA) with the aim of obtaining the Triple Crown and joining the ranks of the global business school elite. Copenhagen Business School is awarded the Triple Crown – the ultimate seal of approval for universities in 2011.

President Johan Roos leaves Copenhagen Business School 
After a period of conflict at Copenhagen Business School, Johan Roos takes his departure in March 2011. Shortly after, Chairman of the Board Anders Knutsen steps down to allow the university to continue in a calmer atmosphere. Dean of Research Alan Irwin is temporarily appointed to the post of president of Copenhagen Business School and CEO of Nordea Peter Schütze is the new chairman of the Board.

Per Holten-Andersen takes up the position as president of Copenhagen Business School
New President Per Holten-Andersen joins CBS from his position as dean at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen and replaces Alan Irwin.

Copenhagen Business School adopts the Business-in-Society strategy.
A comprehensive strategy to translate Copenhagen Business School’s values into concrete strategic measures is presented. It is named Business in Society and defines CBS as a business university dedicated to solving major issues in society by ensuring the continued relevance of research and teaching.

Centenary celebrations and a new strategic framework 
In 2017, CBS celebrated 100 years since its founding in 1917. The centenary was marked by the publication of the anniversary book 100 Years of CBS and a series of celebratory events.

By 2017, 22,829 students are enrolled. The permanent staff counts 673 full-time faculty members and 649 members of administrative staff at CBS.

New overall strategy – 'We transform society with business'
In 2020, the CBS Board of Directors adopted a new overall strategy, marking a shift towards ensuring that CBS' research and education actively contribute to addressing major global challenges – including the green transition, digitalisation and sustainable management.

Launch of 'Nordic Nine'
CBS introduced Nordic Nine, a new framework for teaching and learning built around nine transformative competences spanning knowledge, values and action. Nordic Nine was integrated into study regulations across CBS to ensure that CBS graduates combine a solid foundation in business economics with ethical judgement, interdisciplinary thinking and the ability to create sustainable value for society.

Campus reopening and rebooting student life
At the beginning of 2022, CBS remained closed due to COVID-19. Reopening the campus required a dedicated effort to help students readjust to on-campus teaching and rebuild their sense of community. Students were welcomed back to campus with support from volunteer wellbeing ambassadors.

Major reform of the MSc in Economics and Business Administration and changes to the programme portfolio
CBS decided to undertake a landmark reform of its traditional MSc in Economics and Business Administration programme, replacing the existing specialisation structure with 10 distinct, specialised master programmes from 2024.

By 2022, 20,843 students are enrolled. The permanent staff counts 820 full-time faculty members and 710 members of administrative staff at CBS.

Peter Møllgaard takes up position as President of Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
To mark his appointment, Danish business newspaper Børsen reports that Peter Møllgaard has plenty of ideas for revitalising CBS. Speaking to the newspaper, he says: "CBS must play a part in tackling the major challenges and transformations facing society, such as the green transition, artificial intelligence and lifelong learning." He adds: "CBS needs to build closer ties with the business community – not just in Denmark, but across Europe and globally."

Rector Lauge Stetting steps down in protest against scarce resources
Throughout the 70s, Handelshøjskolen is under budgetary constraint by the Ministry of Education resulting in a severe lack of teaching capabilities, teaching facilities and funding for research. The situation culminates in March 1979, when Rector Lauge Stetting resigns from his post in protest against the scarce resources. 

Just before the summer exams in 1979, 150 external lecturers in the language programmes engage in a joint strike in an effort to better their working conditions. The situation does not begin to better substantially until the late 80s.

By the end of the 70's, 7,401 students are enrolled in Handelshøjskolen’s programmes. The permanent teaching staff counts 19 professors, ten readers and course coordinators and 37 associate professors.

Handelshøjskolen branches out
In 1984, Handelshøjskolen launches its first combination programme enrolling 60 students in the new combined education in language and business administration (SPRØK).

The establishment of a combined education in language and business administration brings the two existing separate faculties closer together, breaks with the existing gender ratio of the BSc programmes and ushers in a new era for Handelshøjskolen’s degree programmes.  

From the middle of the 80s, a series of new programmes are launched, including the integration of business administration and computer science, law and mathematics. The establishment of these new combinations is placing Handelshøjskolen on a new path, seeking out the boundaries of business education and developing a more diverse range of new programmes.

First full-scale English-taught programme is launched
Handelshøjskolen is keen to develop its international profile. At the same time, the school wants to offer Danish students more general management training. The result is the launch of a new English-taught MSc programme called the Advanced Program in International Management (APIM). 

A number of exchange agreements between Handelshøjskolen and various business schools abroad are established. Only students with a BSc degree can apply to take the international programme as an additional qualification, and places are awarded by lottery.

Finn Junge-Jensen becomes rector of Handelshøjskolen
Rector Frode Slipsager steps down in August 1987 and is succeeded by Finn Junge-Jensen from the Department of Organization. Finn Junge-Jensen later points out that he had accepted the appointment with great reluctance. The appointment is also met with criticism and scepticism from academic staff members and students. 

Financial newspaper Børsen counters these sentiments, portraying him as a man who is capable of cleaning up the school and helping it move forward. The new rector also has visions for Handelshøjskolen, including a stronger international profile, an efficient administration and an independent institution offering continuing education.

Handelshøjskolen adds the designation ‘Copenhagen Business School’
Handelshøjskolen broadens its international reach with the English addition ‘Copenhagen Business School’.

Finn Junge-Jensen fulfils some of his ambitions for Handelshøjskolen with the inauguration of the new business languages faculty building at Dalgas Have, designed by Henning Larsen Architects. 

In the same year Handelshøjskolen increases its international profile, officially determining the English names of faculties and the school. Rector Junge-Jensen is a keen advocate of the project. Taking its cue from American institutions, the school adds its present name, Copenhagen Business School; however, the name Handelshøjskolen still ranks before the English name.
 

SCANCOR is inaugurated
The first multi-national research collaboration is established with several international universities. In 1989, the common Nordic partnership Scandinavian Consortium for Organisational Research (SCANCOR) is established. SCANCOR is a partnership between Handelshøjskolen and Stanford University in California, and with business schools and universities in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The aim of the project is to create a basis for greater internationalisation of research in organisation and management.

Handelshøjskolen appoints the first female professor
Hanne Hartvig Larsen becomes the first female professor at Handelshøjskolen at the Department of Marketing, her research field being within distribution, retailing and consumer behaviour. The appointment of Hanne Hartvig Larsen marks the end of a 50 year long monopoly of male professorships at Handelshøjskolen.

Handelshøjskolen joins the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS)
Handelshøjskolen extends its range of international programmes with the membership of the recognised alliance Community of European Management Schools. CEMS is a partnership between nine different European business schools and international companies with the goal of creating an international master degree. 

CEMS is initiated in 1988 by various business schools – HEC in France, ESADE in Spain, Bocconi in Italy and Cologne Business School in Germany – to provide an alternative to the many American schools offering MBAs, which are becoming increasingly popular in Europe in the 1990s.

The CBS Center for Continuing Education is established
An independent fund, the CBS Center for Continuing Education (Handelshøjskolen’s Efteruddannelsesfond, HHE) is established, offering tailor-made courses for executives and employees from the Danish business community. HHE is a legal entity separate from the business school.

Handelshøjskolen launches its first post-graduate MBA programme
30 students enrol in the first post-graduate MBA programme. After a three-year period of offering short customised courses for executives and employees from the Danish business community through a legally independent foundation named the CBS Center for Continuing Education (HHE), Handelshøjskolen succeeds in setting up its own ambitious MBA programme. 

The MBA programme has an international focus and is primarily aimed at the private sector. However, the need for education and training for public sector managers is increasing. For this reason a Master of Public Administration (MPA) is established in the same year. It is specifically tailored to practitioners within the public sector, who have the ambition to build on their organisational and managerial skills.

BSc in International Business (IB) and BSc in Business Administration and Philosophy (FLØK) are created
The two programmes increase the diversity of Handelshøjskolen’s programme portfolio. In 1994, President Finn Junge-Jensen presents his annual report by underlining the importance of skills development and human resources as a prerequisite for Danish competitiveness and the preservation of the welfare society. This leads to the launch of a new programme in International Business (IB) taught exclusively in English.

New programmes are set up in more than just the field of languages. Handelshøjskolen also wants to offer a new programme to integrate economics and philosophy, and in March 1996, the BSc in Business Administration and Philosophy is launched.

Handelshøjskolen becomes subject to Danish legislation
After the founding of Aarhus Business School in 1939 and a small number of minor business schools in provincial towns offering only one diploma programme, the Danish parliament decides to pass the first act on business schools. All business schools are privately owned and operated by organisations such as the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education. 

With this act, a joint supervisory board is established for all business schools.

Handelshøjskolen appoints the first professor of business languages
The post-war period sees the appointment of a number of professors in business administration and economics, but in 1955, the first professor in business languages, Poul Høybye, is appointed. Together with Andreas Blinkenberg from Aarhus University. 

Poul Høybye is the author of the comprehensive French dictionary, which is used today by students taking French classes at Danish universities.

The next two language professors were appointed in the late 1960s.

The director becomes the rector
After the retirement of Director Christen Møller, Poul Winding, Professor and Doctor of Science in Economics and Management, is appointed new director of Handelshøjskolen. 

In June 1958, at the annual commemoration, Poul Winding introduces himself as the rector of Handelshøjskolen to emphasise that Handelshøjskolen is aspiring to a higher degree of independence from the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education.

In 1957, 2,660 students are now enrolled in Handelshøjskolen’s programmes. The permanent teaching staff counts seven professors, four readers and 25 associate professors

Ministerial order on a postgraduate degree in business and economics
A ministerial order is issued on a postgraduate degree in business and economics. This is the highest qualification in business and economics that can now be obtained at a business school in Denmark. 

The graduates of this programme are awarded the title ‘lic.merc.’, which corresponds to the Anglo-Saxon PhD degree. Lic.merc. is the precursor to Handelshøjskolen’s own PhD degree as we know it today and the expression of high-quality research and an adequate number of professors within the fields of business economics and administration.

Major study reform introduces a new master programme
Handelshøjskolen implements a new curriculum for the BSc programme in 1964. The reform strengthens the focus on business administration, economics and statistics in the BSc programme making the programme much more theoretical. The academic level is increased significantly.

Whereas the possibility of writing a master thesis up to the introduction of this reform is only offered individually to particularly motivated and skilled students, a new master programme in business administration is now offered to all graduates from the three-year BSc programme at Handelshøjskolen. It is an 18-month full-time programme, but is extended to two years shortly after. The candidates obtain the title Master of Science (cand.merc.).

The driving force behind the reform is Professor and Rector Poul Winding. He steps down as rector in 1963 and is succeeded by Professor and Doctor in Law Jan Kobbernagel.

Business languages are upgraded with a master degree
As part of the study reform, Poul Winding tries to exclude the language programmes from Handelshøjskolen. He is supported by a large  majority of the lecturers in economics and business administration.

However, the language  lecturers, with the support of newly appointed Rector Jan Kobbernagel, are struggling to maintain business languages as a part of Handelshøjskolen’s research and education.

After lengthy discussions, the language programmes are rescued by an almost unanimous Teaching Council – the precursor to Handelshøjskolen’s Senate (Konsistorium) in October 1964. A reform of the language programmes is implemented from 1966, including the launch of a language master programme with a Master of Arts degree (cand.ling.merc.). Three language professors are appointed.

Handelshøjskolen becomes independent
Following the passing of a new act on business schools, Handelshøjskolen becomes independent, and the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education appoints a new Administrative Board. As a consequence, the school is divided into three governing bodies: The rector in charge of daily operations and external representation of the school; the Teaching Council consisting of all professors and programme directors with supreme authority in matters relating to the curriculum and positions; and the Administrative Board in charge of administrative and financial matters.

Following its new status, Handelshøjskolen is given the right to promote the highest academic degree in Denmark, the doctoral degree in business economics (dr.merc.).

The first study boards with equal representation of students and professors are established. They are, however, only advisory.

In 1965, 3,888 students are enrolled in Handelshøjskolen’s programmes. The permanent teaching staff counts 15 professors, one reader and 30 associate professors.

The establishment of the Department of Management Research
After years of discussions and preparations, Handelshøjskolen establishes the Department of Management Research, of which the main task is to undertake research in the field of management and, inspired by American MBA programmes, to experiment with education and courses for managers.

The department is financed by a donation of DKK 1.5 million from the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education until it becomes fully integrated in Handelshøjskolen in 1975 and loses its department status. It is, however, the first initiative leading to today’s strong focus on management research and education and to the development of Handelshøjskolen’s MBA programmes.

Introducing The Master's Thesis
A new plan makes it possible for graduates from the full-time programmes to continue their studies; either in the diploma programmes or in the evening language programmes. Tha plan is called  ‘enhedsplanen’ (the unity plan)

Students who have passed both the Science of Commerce full-time programme and one of the diploma programmes are offered the opportunity to write a Master’s Thesis and obtain a master’s degree. 

Reorganisation into two faculties
The school is re-organised. Two faculties in Science of Commerce and Business Languages, respectively, are established.

Establishing the Tietgen Award
The Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education establishes the Tietgen Award to award to young researchers who have made a significant contribution within the field of business humanities and social sciences.

Under one roof 
In 1930 the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education brings all programmes under the same roof at Julius Thomsens Plads. Handelshøjskolen shares the building with the female division of the Copenhagen School of Commerce.

Diploma in marketing is launced
A fourth diploma programme in marketing is launched. It is run by Reader Max Kjær Hansen.

In 1920 there are 556 students at Handelshøjskolen. Teaching staff includes three readers.

The first departments
The first department, the Baltic Department with Reader Zelman Lando as head, is established at handelshøjskolen. The following year, the department is renamed the Department of Export it will be followed by the formation of a number of new departments.

An institution of higher education
Handelshøjskolen changes its name to ‘The Institution of Higher Education in Science of Commerce’ (Den Handelsvidenskabelige Læreanstalt). The academic designations BSc (HA), MSc (cand.merc.) and HD (diploma programmes) are conferred on graduates from the full-time day programme in Science of Commerce, the master programme in Science of Commerce and the diploma programmes.

The first two professors
Handelshøjskolen awards its first professorship in business economics to German Economist Julius Hirsch, who has fled from Hitler’s dictatorship. Following his appointment, Hirsch becomes head of the newly established Department of Business and Economics Research (Handelsvidenskabeligt Forskningsinstitut), which, as the name implies, is Handelshøjskolen’s first formal research department with its own academic journal.

The other departments at Handelshøjskolen have mainly been established to support the academic teaching environment; however, once the Department of Business and Economics Research is established, it becomes an impetus for new research in all the departments.

In 1937, Max Kjær Hansen becomes professor of marketing.

New director
Christen Møller is appointed as new director of Handelshøjskolen. Although Christen Møller does not have a business degree, he enhances the academic profile of Handelshøjskolen seeing it as a university instead of an institution under the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education. At the same time professors increasingly gain more influence on the decision-making.

From science of commerce to business administration
Handelshøjskolen adopts a new overall curriculum, which gathers all commerce programmes under the common term ‘business administration’. As a consequence, the full-time programme is renamed the ‘Bachelor of Science in Business Administration’, and the diploma programmes are now called the ‘Special Programmes in Business Administration. The master programme upholds its name as the ‘Master Programme in the Science of Commerce’ – presumably to maintain the term ‘science’.

The reform expands and strengthens the position of business economics as well as political economics, allocating more teaching hours to disciplines within these fields.

In the same year, Handelshøjskolen finally moves into its own new building at Julius Thomsens Plads, right next to the old building. The inaugural ceremony is attended by King Christian X.

In 1939, 1,850 students are enrolled in Handelshøjskolen’s programmes. The permanent teaching staff counts two professors, two readers and 12 associate professors.

The director of Handelshøjskolen goes to America
After two decades of massive German influence on research and education, the outcome of World War II leads to a new and strong impact from American business school research.

In the autumn of 1947, Director of Handelshøjskolen Christen Møller travels to America on a three-month study tour to visit American business schools. The visit marks the beginning of numerous study tours by Danish business students and scholars to American business schools, but also many American guest lecturers visiting Handelshøjskolen from 1948 and onwards.

In 1947, 2,302 students are now enrolled in Handelshøjskolen’s programmes. The permanent teaching staff includes two professors, six readers and 25 associate professors.

The First Diploma programme
The first diploma programme, HD in accounting is launched as a two-year part-time evening programme, which is completed with an overall examination and a diploma for the graduates.

The establishing of The Business and economics Study Club
1920 also marks the establishment of the Business and Economics Study Club by Hans Christian Riis, a club created with the purpose of “discussing issues relating to business and economics”. Hans Christian Riis was Self-taught, but nonetheless considered Denmark’s first-ever scholar in accounting

Launch of the first language programmes
The new language programme in German, English and French is three years in duration and provides the option of obtaining a degree as State-Authorised Translator and Interpreter through an examination at the National Translator Commission.

A less demanding two-year language programme is launched in 1923 with the option of obtaining a degree as a Trilingual Commercial Correspondent.

Handelshøjskolen becomes a separate institution
And becomes independent of the Copenhagen School of Commerce (Købmandsskolen). The school, owned and operated by the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education, is no longer legally and financially tied to the Copenhagen School of Commerce. It is now named Handelshøjskolen and is given its own library.

Diploma programmes in banking and insurance are established
Introduction of a new diploma programme in banking and share markets. The programme is taught by Polish-born Economist Zelman Lando, who is appointed as the second reader at Handelshøjskolen the following year.

School of insurance is established 
An becomes a part of Handelshøjskolen’s diploma programmes. It offers a diploma in insurance and is run by the insurance industry. The programme is extremely popular and receives 82 applications during its first year. All three diploma programmes are extended to three years. Reader Hans Chr. Riis initiates the establishment of the Accounting Archive, a forerunner of the present-day Department of Accounting and Auditing.

Handelshøjskolen starts offering daytime courses
Handelshøjskolen offers its first full-time day programme in Science of Commerce. The programme is aimed at young people with an upper secondary school leaving certificate. Two years in duration, it covers a wide range of subjects related to business and economics. 

In its second year, the programme is divided into two fields of study, Science of Commerce and Business Languages. This programme is the precursor to today’s BSc in Economics and Business Administration (HA Almen).

In 1924 435 students are enrolled at Handelshøjskolen. The teaching staff includes two readers.