A new reform of the professional bachelor education programmes and the academy profession programmes has been adopted to improve the quality of education programmes such as the pedagogue training programme. The reform is part of a comprehensive reform plan for the whole education system.

The Danish government and seven opposition parties in the Danish Parliament have agreed on a reform of the academy profession programmes (short cycle) and the professional bachelor education programmes (first cycle). 

The main purpose of the reform is to enhance the quality at the education programmes, including the education programmes that are directed at central functions in the welfare sector such as pedagogues, social workers and nurses.

Quality enhancement at the professional bachelor education programmes and academy profession programmes
To improve the quality of the education programmes and make them more attractive for students, the reform prioritises about DKK 2 billion annually to the education programmes. This will ensure, among other things, that students receive more lessons, more feedback, instruction in smaller classes, more practice-based instruction or workplace and simulation instruction as well as enhanced opportunities for lifelong learning and continuing professional development.

As part of the quality enhancement effort, the reform also includes initiatives aimed at improving the work placement during the education programmes. Among other things, this may include:

• Strengthening the cooperation between the training places and education institutions;

• Improving the connection between theory and practice at the education programmes.

   

Flexible pathways to welfare-related education programmes
The reform includes improved opportunities for persons with relevant work experience or academic qualifications to train as a teacher, pedagogue, nurse or social worker through merit-based education programmes that award credit for prior learning. The reform will:

• Remove the tuition fees at the current merit-based pedagogue and teacher training programmes;

• Establish merit-based programmes without tuition fees for nurses and social workers.

   

Opportunities for practice-oriented continuing and further education and training
From 2030, there will be established new opportunities for tuition-free, practice-oriented continuing and further education and training so graduates can enhance their qualifications later in life. It will be possible to participate full-time while receiving state educational grants or part-time without state educational grants.

Furthermore, the reform establishes a new continuing education and training programmes for graduates from professional bachelor education programmes called a professional master programme. It targets complex tasks in the welfare sector and will be placed at level seven in the EQF.

More international students
To increase the intake of international students, the reform will also enable education institutions to establish 800 new study places at professional bachelor education programmes and academy profession programmes taught in English. The new study places will be established outside the biggest cities and within the STEM/IT area.

The different initiatives in the reform will be implemented gradually towards 2030.

For more information: https://ufm.dk/lovstof/politiske-aftaler/reform-af-professionsbachelor-og-erhvervsakademiuddannelserne-i-danmark/aftale-om-reform-af-professionsbachelor-og-erhvervsakademiuddannelser.pdf

Source: Eurydice Unit Denmark