Applications to nursing and social work programmes rise

Applications to Denmark’s welfare-focused higher education programmes have increased by 2% overall, with nursing seeing a 5% rise and social work an 8% increase compared to last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Research, Education, and Digitalisation.

Dansk Sygeplejeråd, the national nursing association, welcomed the numbers. Chair Dorthe Boe Danbjørg called the 5% increase in nursing applications “really positive,” noting that demand for nurses remains high after years of stagnation following a sharp drop in applicants in 2022.

While applications to teacher and early childhood education programmes each fell by 1%, the combined total for the four major welfare programmes—nursing, social work, teaching, and early childhood education—still rose. This occurred despite a national decline of nearly 1,500 first-priority applications to higher education overall, said Lukas Hidan, senior economist at the think tank DEA.

Hidan suggested the increase may reflect recent reforms, wage improvements, and workplace conditions in profession-oriented fields. Dorthe Boe Danbjørg pointed to collective agreements that raised pay for nurses working irregular shifts, as well as recent wage and pension increases.

Despite the rise in applications, 842 nursing programme spots remain unfilled. Dansk Sygeplejeråd stressed the need for further reforms, including better practical training and career prospects, and urged the government to establish a committee to develop concrete initiatives.