Leading universities in Denmark are set to close several degree programmes and switch the medium of instruction from English to Danish in response to a government drive to reduce international student numbers.

Aalborg University has announced that it will close seven degree programmes, change the medium of instruction from English to Danish in six and put one English-language programme “on standby”. It means that nearly all bachelor’s programmes at the institution will be taught in Danish in future, with two courses at its smaller Esbjerg campus being the only exceptions.

Similarly, Aarhus University told Times Higher Education that it intends to close two degree programmes and change the language of instruction in two programmes and five specialisations or tracks.

In August, the Danish government announced that it will cut between 1,000 and 1,200 English language university places across six of Denmark’s eight universities. It claimed that 42 percent of graduates of English language Masters programmes left the country after two years and only a third of international students made a “positive contribution” to Danish public finances over their lifetime.

Hanne Tange, associate professor in the department of culture and global studies at Aalborg, views the policy as the result of “an unholy alliance between a government looking for savings that will not annoy voters too much and a party (Danish People’s Party) seeking any excuse to target Europe/foreigners/anything international”.

She adds that as Danish universities cannot discriminate against European Union students in the admissions process, institutions have decided to cut or “renationalise” English-language programmes to abide by policy and the law. “They are introducing Danish modules, which is a smart way to actually exclude all people not speaking Danish without actively discriminating against European students,” says Tange.

Meanwhile Copenhagen Business School says it has been told to cut 400 places in finance, innovation and management Masters programmes, but adds that it will not cancel any programmes or change the language of instruction of any courses.