More people than ever want to study at CBS
The interest in CBS has been historically high this year. Even so, the university has had to reject many qualified applicants
Shortly after midnight on 28 July, this year's applicants received news on whether they had been offered a study place.
At CBS, around 2,600 new bachelor students can now look forward to start studying after the summer break.
Interest in CBS' bachelor programmes has once again been exceptionally high. In total, 10,242 applicants applied for a bachelor programme at CBS in 2026, while 7,463 chose CBS as their 1st priority.
However, CBS has not been able to offer more study places.
This is due to the political agreement on sectoral dimensioning, which requires Danish universities to reduce the number of study places. Since 2024, CBS has therefore had to reduce the number of bachelor places by a total of 315.
“We are delighted to welcome a new cohort of ambitious and committed students to CBS, who have chosen programmes that will give them strong academic competences and the opportunity to work on some of the major challenges facing companies and society,” says Anna Thomasson, Dean of Education.
She also points out that this year's enrolment figures evoke mixed feelings.
“When so many talented young people apply, it is especially difficult to turn down qualified applicants. We would have liked to admit more students if we had had the opportunity” Anna Thomasson
Dean of Education, CBS
Are you a new student at CBS? Read more about the study start here
Business competences are in high demand
The strong interest in CBS comes at a time when companies and society are undergoing significant change. New technologies, the green transition, geopolitical uncertainty and global competition are placing growing demands on tomorrow's employees and leaders.
According to CBS' President Peter Møllgaard, this year's application figures show that business programmes will also play an important role in Denmark in the future.
“At CBS, we educate students who can understand the realities of business while also seeing them in a broader societal context. This is about economics, leadership, digitalisation, responsibility and a global perspective. These are competences Denmark needs to develop effective solutions to the major challenges we face and to help improve Europe's competitiveness,” says Peter Møllgaard.
Denmark needs more business graduates
Together with the Danish Chamber of Commerce and Djøf, CBS forms part of the ‘Brug for Business’ alliance, which highlights the need for more graduates with business competences.
An analysis made for Djøf by the analysis consultancy MBC indicates that by 2040 Denmark could face a shortage of up to 24,000 employees with competences in business, economics and law.
“Denmark needs people who can create growth, exports and productivity. We also need people who can combine business insight with responsibility and an understanding of society, so as a society we should educate more people in business, not fewer,” says Peter Møllgaard.
CBS prepares for semester start
For the new students, university life truly begins when teaching starts on Tuesday 1 September.
“Starting university is exciting but also overwhelming. Our new students will encounter new subjects, new people and new expectations. That is why we are working purposefully to give them a positive and reassuring start, where they feel welcome and well prepared for university life,” says Anna Thomasson.
Read more about student life at CBS and learn more about life as a student
Key enrolment figures for 2026
Number of 1st priority applications: 7,463
Number of applicants: 10,242
Number of new students as of 1 September: around 2,600
The four bachelor programmes with the highest minimum GPA for admission:
BSc in International Business: 11.1
BSc in International Business and Politics: 10.7
BSc in International Shipping and Trade / HA(psyk.) - erhvervsøkonomi og virksomhedskommunikation: 10.2
What is sectoral dimensioning?
Sectoral dimensioning is a political agreement that requires Danish universities to reduce the number of study places.
Since 2024, CBS has had to reduce the number of bachelor places by 315.
As a result, CBS has had to reject more qualified applicants despite the strong interest in and the high demand for CBS graduates from the business community.
Through the ‘Brug for Business’ alliance, CBS, the Danish Chamber of Commerce and Djøf argue that Denmark needs more people with business competences, not fewer, in the years ahead.