The Danish University Sector in Figures

Introduction

Each year Universities Denmark publishes a statistical survey on the Danish university sector.

There are, of course, several other sources containing statistical material on the Danish education and research sector, made available through, for instance, the Appropriations Act, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Education, the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy, Statistics Denmark, Eurostat and the OECD.

The advantage of the statistical survey of Universities Denmark as compared to other available sources is the fact that it focuses solely on the universities. The survey therefore provides more specific information on the sector and the conditions under which it operates. The publication of the statistical survey is an important step in the universities’ endeavours towards achieving increased transparency.

In publishing the statistical survey, the Danish universities are taking a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability to the general public for university activities. This creates a basis for achieving the goals of the university accord concluded between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the universities, which aim at greater autonomy for the universities.

An overview of the statistical survey

Definitions

The data in the statistical survey have been collected at the individual universities on the basis of a common set of definitions. The definitions, which are available here, will be improved and made more accurate through running updates. Questions on the figures of the individual universities should be directed to the relevant universities, whereas technical questions may be directed to the Secretariat of Universities Denmark.

Figures might, of course, be collected for many different aspects of university activities, just as figures might be collected at several levels of detail. Universities Denmark has endeavoured to strike a balance between clarity, on the one hand, and sufficient detail on the other, in order to make the figures relevant and practical within a suitable range of contexts.

How to read the survey

The statistical survey uses categories ranging from A to K. Tables A and B deal with university revenues and expenditures. Closely related is table D, which provides information on equity and balance sheet items.

Table C contains detailed figures on expenditures on full-time (VIP) and part-time (DVIP) academic staff and technical and administrative staff (TAP).

Table E provides a number of key statements on figures relating to the use of university buildings and property, broken down by research, education and other activities.

Tables F to I present information relating to students. Thus, table F provides information on student numbers and age groups, and table G gives figures on students’ completion of course and degree programmes. Table H provides an overview of figures relating to international exchanges, and table I provides figures for training of researchers.

Tables J and K provide information on university research output. 

Table K shows figures relating to cooperation with non-university parties such as commercial enterprises.

Explanation of symbols used:

0          A census has been made, but no units could be recorded.

…        Technical reasons have made it impossible to conduct a census.

•           The category does not apply to the university in question.

UFH    Costs, etc. have not been allocated in the following categories: the humanities, the social sciences, the natural and technical sciences, and the health sciences.