By Jakob Elkjær, Head of Press in AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Lasse Møller Badstue

The master’s degree reform affects all main areas at Aalborg University. As the last of four faculties, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (SSH) has submitted a plan for the reduction of study places for consultation.

Based on extensive input from students, staff, and local partners, the SSH Faculty Management has decided to adjust its recommendation to the university’s Executive Management.

• The bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Musicology will not be recommended for closure. However, during 2026, there will be a local review of how Musicology and Music Therapy can be more closely integrated.
• The bachelor’s and master’s programmes in International Business Communication (English) will also not be recommended for closure. At the master’s level, the programme will continue as a 75 ECTS programme.

“We have read all the consultation responses carefully, and I would like to thank everyone for their strong engagement. In our revised recommendation, we have especially emphasised the possibility of offering a shorter programme focused on language and communication with a business profile, the significant role of music in the Music Therapy programme and the synergies these two programmes provide for the regional cultural and health sectors,” Dean Rasmus Antoft says.

The revised proposal still includes closing admissions to the following five master’s programmes, with the intention of closing them once there are no more enrolled students:

• Applied Philosophy
• Information Science
• Interactive Digital Media
• Experience Design
• Social Science

The proposal also includes closing admissions to the following three related bachelor’s programmes as of 1 September 2026, with the intention of closing them:

• Applied Philosophy
• Art and Technology
• Social Science

“It feels unfair to have to close programmes that provide students with relevant skills, but the master’s reform has forced us to prioritise, as mandated by a majority in Parliament. Closing programmes is a serious decision with many consequences,” Rasmus Antoft says. 

“Our decision is based on a combination of factors, including key figures such as application numbers, dropout rates, unemployment and regional considerations, but ultimately it has been a comprehensive assessment and prioritisation. It is also important for us to support and maintain close cooperation with businesses, the cultural sector, and other educational institutions in Northern Jutland,” the dean adds. 

The SSH Faculty Management has also emphasised avoiding programmes becoming so small that the study environment is at risk. At the same time, there has been a focus on ensuring an internally coherent portfolio of programmes. The proposal is also based on the fact that SSH has programmes with study places available, while qualified applicants must be turned away from others.

Strong engagement for the Humanities

The announcement of programme closures in the SSH area has led to protests from students, staff and local politicians. Last Thursday, Rasmus Antoft met with students and staff who were demonstrating in front of AAU.

“The criticism has, of course, affected me – especially the narrative that we are abandoning the humanities. Therefore, I want to emphasise that we will continue to have strong programmes in both the humanities and social sciences at AAU,” Rasmus Antoft says. 

“We have listened to the many consultation responses and made adjustments where possible, and the humanities and social sciences will remain a key part of SSH’s profile. It has also been encouraging to see such strong engagement. We take this as a sign that students believe their education is worth fighting for,” Rasmus Antoft adds, noting that SSH, with over 10,000 students, remain larger than the other three faculties combined.

Next steps

The faculty’s revised proposal for a new institutional plan for SSH is not final until it is approved by the university’s Executive Management. The Executive Management will consider the faculty’s recommendation for a new institutional plan at its meeting on 19 November.

Today – Monday, 3 November – the Faculty Management is meeting with both students and staff to inform them about the final recommendation to the Executive Management and to follow up on local discussions.