University of Copenhagen toughens entrance grades

Plans to raise minimum entrance grade to at least 6 is deemed elitist by university students

The minimum grade to be accepted into the University of Copenhagen (KU) will be raised, requiring future applicants to have an average grade of at least 6 on the 12-scale that ranges from -3 to 12.

KU currently offers 36 courses of study that don't require any minimum average grade and expects to introduce the new entrance requirement on selected courses by 2017, associate rector Lykke Friis announced today.

"We want to send the signal that it is demanding to study at KU," Friis told DR Nyheder. "We thereby expect to attract more motivated students."

Improving international position
International competition has put pressure on local universities, and the tougher requirement is a way to compete with universities abroad.

"To compete with the best universities in the world, we have to accept the best students," Friis said.

Her plan was met with criticism from the student council Danske Studerendes Fællesråd who found the demand to be 'elitist' and were concerned it would exclude potentially motivated students with lower average grades.

“If similar universities abroad learned that we require a minimum grade of six, they would probably ask if we have thought about raising the bar,” Friis said.

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