Facts about CBS' programmes

  • CBS offers 31 master programmes and enrols approximately 3,300 master students every year.
  • By 2030, Denmark is expected to face a shortage of 16,000 social science graduates, according to a 2021 analysis by IRIS Group and HBS Economics for Danske Gymnasier and the Danish Society of Engineers (IDA). Source: Mismatch på det danske arbejdsmarked i 2030 (labour market mismatch in Denmark in 2030).
  • Society and companies experience higher value creation and productivity when hiring social science graduates, as shown in a 2024 analysis by HBS Economics for DJØF. Source: Samfundsvidenskabelige og erhvervsøkonomiske kandidaters værdiskabelse i den private sektor (value creation of social science and business graduates in the private sector).
  • CBS ranks 13th on Bloomberg Europe’s Best Business School Rankings 2024-25.
Source: Bloomberg Business Schools
  • The unemployment rate for CBS graduates is 3.3% (source: UFM Datavarehus), UFM Data Warehouse), and approximately nine out of ten CBS graduates find jobs in the private sector (CBS internal data).

Record-high number of first-priority applicants for CBS’ master programmes

CBS has in 2025 received 17,709 applications for our master programmes, which is a 10% increase compared to last year. International applicants, in particular, are applying in record numbers.

10/03/2025

Rekordhøjt antal førsteprioritetsansøgere til CBS' kandidatuddannelser

For the first time, the number of first-priority applicants has exceeded 9,000, reaching a record-breaking 9,398.

And Anna Thomasson, Dean of Education, sees this interest as a key indicator of the quality of CBS' programmes:

“Our faculty and administration work hard to create some of Europe’s and the world’s best business programmes. That is why we are proud to see not only strong demand from companies for CBS graduates but also a record-high number of young people applying to our programmes.”

Largest increase among international applicants 

While the number of applicants with Danish citizenship has risen by just 2%, the majority of the increase is primarily driven by strong interest from international students.

This group has grown by 15%, equivalent to approximately 800 more applicants than last year.

This year’s incoming CBS students represent 102 different countries and more than 500 educational institutions.

International interest is crucial for the business community in Denmark, says CBS President Peter Møllgaard:

"We are pleased that CBS can attract and educate the workforce that businesses so urgently need. This is essential for enabling Danish companies to compete in global markets and take the lead in the green transition."

Programmes on the increase

Several programmes have seen a substantial rise in applications:

  • The MSc in Business Administration and Innovation in Health Care has grown by 38%, primarily due to an increase in applications from Danish professional bachelors and international applicants.
  • The MSc EBA in Accounting, Strategy and Control has increased by 41%, with one-third of the growth coming from CBS’ bachelor graduates continuing their studies.
  • The MSc EBA in Finance and Accounting, the MSc EBA in Finance and Investments and the MSc EBA in Finance and Strategic Management have all experienced an increase between 19% and 26%.
Sidst opdateret: Sekretariat for Ledelse og Kommunikation // 11/03/2025