The key elements of an application for a new degree programme are (a) a description of the degree programme, (b) a needs assessment and (c) a statement on coherence in the education system. An application for a new offering does not need to include a description of the degree programme.

(A) Description of the degree programme

Qualification profile, box diagram etc., see the guide.

(B) Needs assessment

An application for the prequalification of a new degree programme/offering should revolve around a needs assessment, dialogue with prospective employers and documentation to demonstrate that an unmet need for the new degree programme exists in Danish society nationally and/or regionally. It should be noted that the need must be explained regardless of whether it is a part-time or full-time degree programme.

No clear, exhaustive guidelines exist for what a needs assessment should contain and what type of documentation should be attached, as this depends on a number of factors, e.g. whether the aim is to meet an existing or a future need in the labour market. However, the needs assessment is expected to be reflected in the objective and career orientation of the degree programme or the intended target group. When applying for a new degree programme, the focus will be on needs beyond those met by existing offerings of the degree programme.

Moreover, all needs statements must also be accompanied by:

·        An estimate of the size of the need

·        Documentation that key external stakeholders (including prospective employers and any authorising authorities) have been involved in the assessment of the need for graduates

·        Documentation that prospective employers have been involved in assessing the relevance of the proposed degree programme, i.e. whether and how the new degree programme covers the identified needs better than existing degree programmes.

·        (un)employment statistics for related programmes rendering it probable that the labour market can absorb graduates from a new degree programme/new offering.

(C) Coherent educational system

In addition to substantiating the need for and relevance of a new degree programme, the application must also explain how the programme will contribute to increased coherence between degree programme levels nationally (and/or regionally). In this context, it is important to ensure that the new degree programme does not significantly hamper conditions for existing degree programmes.

For a new degree programme, the assessment must include information about:

·        Who the degree programme is aimed at, and could serve as (further) education for

·        Possibilities for further education for graduates from the degree programme

·        Consequences for other degree programmes.

A typical model often consists of:

(1) existing external analyses and reports, if any

(2) consultation or discussions with relevant employer panel (and chair of the body of external co-examiners)

(3) a form of qualitative study that is also used as input for the development of a qualification profile, and which can document the involvement of prospective employers

(4) analysis of related degree programmes including latest unemployment figures

(5) target group survey (recruitment base)

(6) quantitative consultation with prospective employers in the form of a questionnaire that can provide an estimate of the size of the need.

The typical process takes approximately 6–12 months from the start of the needs assessment until the application is submitted. The model is, of course, tailored to the internal process plan at AU, where management must be informed of initial trends approximately 9 months prior to the application deadline. But it also depends on a number of factors with a bearing, for example, on the number of stakeholders that need to be involved and thus the time it takes to finalise agreements, e.g:

·        Narrow academic environment vs interdisciplinary/multi-institutional/international collaboration

·        Narrow vs broad career orientation

·        A single degree programme vs major strategic initiative involving multiple programmes

·        Unmet need for existing degree programme vs new field/degree programme concept

·        Current vs future labour market needs

·        Education policy trends

·        Project organisation, including collaboration between the academic environment and administrative staff and possible use of external consultants

It is a good idea to start with a stakeholder analysis to identify key stakeholders and prospective employers that must be involved directly or indirectly in the process. They include special interest organisations, key prospective employers and any competing providers.