Aarhus University is allowed to merge two or more existing degree programmes without prequalification, however always subject to approval of the initiative by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. Approval of a merger of degree programmes is conditional upon the existing degree programmes being discontinued once the merged degree programme starts being offered. The merged degree programme is then regarded as a new programme. If the application for a merger of degree programmes is rejected, the Rector’s internal approval of the phase-out will lapse if the faculty wishes to continue offering the existing degree programmes.

Applications for the merger of programmes can be submitted to the agency once a year on 15 September.

The conditions for merging programmes without prior prequalification can be found in the Ministerial Order on Criteria for the Relevance and Quality of University Study Programmes and on Procedures for Approval of University Study Programmes applying from time to time. Applications concerning the merging of degree programmes are subject to the following legislative requirements:

• Relevant stakeholders must be involved in the pre-application process, including the study board, employer panel and chair of the body of external co-examiners
• There must be no significant changes to the overall purpose, career orientation or qualification profile as a whole
• The merger must not entail any negative consequences for the labour market and recruitment base for existing, related degree programmes and offerings.
• The merged degree programme must have a single set of admission requirements and a single title.

Internal pre-application process

An overall timeline for the internal process can be seen here.

The dean of the faculty sends a request for the merger of existing degree programmes to the Rector via Educational Development and Analysis. Educational Development and Analysis forwards the dean’s request to the Committee on Education for a two-week consultation. 

After the consultation period, the faculty is informed and given the opportunity to make adjustments. Based on this, Educational Development and Analysis prepares an overall recommendation that is enclosed with the request and sent to the Rector. The Rector considers the request for a merger of degree programmes (and the resulting phase-out of degree programmes) prior to the application being forwarded to the agency. Educational Development and Analysis then submits the application for a merger of degree programmes to the agency and informs internally at AU.