Aalborg University faces tough decisions as 486 applicants vie for limited 179 medical program spots

Thousands of eager applicants will soon learn if they have been accepted into their desired educational programs. Among them, 486 have selected the medical program at Aalborg University as their top choice, yet the institution will be forced to reject the majority. The university is limited to accepting only 179 medical students, despite wishes for a higher intake to alleviate the regional physician shortage.

“There is a need for more doctors in our region, and all statistics show that doctors tend to remain in the area where they were trained,” said Anne Marie Kanstrup, the university’s prorector. Since 2011, Aalborg University has trained medical doctors, with data indicating that 82% have begun practicing in the Northern Jutland Region. Last year, Aalborg University Hospital turned away 320 qualified first-choice applicants, and this year, it is anticipated that nearly 300 will face similar rejections.

The Danish Ministry of Education and Research determines the admission numbers for universities. According to Kanstrup, Aalborg University has the capacity to increase its enrollment to 250 students immediately if permission is granted by the ministry. Lars Hvilsted Rasmussen, the dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Aalborg, affirmed that the university could maintain the same quality of education with an expanded intake.

Despite these efforts, the region still faces a shortage of practicing physicians. Data reveals that 69% of medical clinics in Northern Jutland are currently unable to accept new patients due to excessive demand. Meanwhile, experts suggest reevaluating the distribution of medical students across Danish universities to address regional disparities.

With increasing pressure to fill much-needed positions, experts warn that addressing physician shortages requires long-term solutions, as it takes a decade or more to train specialists.