Pro-rector Invites to a Q&A Session on the Interim Report of the National Committee on the Reform of the Master’s Programmes
: 19.06.2024
: 19.06.2024
By Lea Laursen Pasgaard and Karen Worm Markussen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Photo: Claus Søndberg
Pro-rector Anne Marie Kanstrup invites AAU staff to a Q&A session Monday, 24 June on the national committee on the reform of the master’s programmes interim report. She will give a short presentation on the main points of the interim report and then answer questions from the audience.
The national committee on the reform of the master’s programmes was established in September 2023 and in its first period of work has specifically discussed the framework for the new types of programmes and the new master’s programme landscape. The committee’s discussions included how the new types of master's programmes, i.e. short master's programmes of 75 ECTS credits and new flexible master's programme for working professionals, can be designed. In addition, focus was on right-sizing of the academic bachelor's programmes and how the new English-language study places can be distributed in 2024.
It appears from the committee's interim report that there are still many unknowns. The report shows that the committee has worked with many different models for new master's programmes for working professionals, and that the discussions have mainly revolved around technical prerequisites.
The national committee's interim report shows a risk of increased pressure on students in the future. This is because the reform presumes that there is an increase in the supply of labour. If these calculations are to hold, students in the new professionally oriented master's programmes must work up to 61 hours a week. This is neither reasonable nor realistic, according to the rectors. They believe that this will make the new master's programmes for working professionals less attractive, and as a consequence few students will apply to them. Ultimately, this will mean that the universities will convert a much larger proportion to short 75 ECTS-credit master's programmes than was desired in the political agreement behind the reform.
The framework for the new short master's programme of 75 ECTS credits has also not been determined. The interim report shows a lack of clarification as to what title graduates of the short master's programme of 75 ECTS credits should have, the quality boost on the degree programmes, the research path, and continuing and further education opportunities for graduates of 75 ECTS-credit programmes.
"Overall, at this stage in the process, we can conclude that there are simply too many unknowns for it to make sense for us to initiate major changes at this time," says Pro-rector Anne Marie Kanstrup, who has been part of the preparatory working group for the national committee that contributes to qualifying the specific proposals for decisions for the national committee's meetings.
"We must work wisely, think things over and take the necessary time. We must create high-quality degree programmes. We may expect clarification on the framework in the final report from the national committee in October. First things first," the pro-rector adds.
The national committee has a duty of confidentiality, and the pro-rector can therefore only answer questions relating to the interim report. It does not contain details on the education level, and the significance of the reform for AAU will not become known until after the national committee's final report is published in the autumn.
The Q&A session takes place at 14.30-15.30 in Aalborg with connection to Esbjerg and Copenhagen where there are also rooms for in-person attendance. It will not be possible to participate via Teams link.
The physical setting limits the number of participants, so participation in the Q&A session will be on a first-come, first-served basis at the following addresses, and registration is not necessary:
The national committee on the reform of the master’s programmes will also present the interim report at a hearing at the University of Southern Denmark on 21 June. The meeting will be chaired by the committee's chair, Hanne Meldgaard, Department Head, Ministry of Higher Education and Science.