DENMARK
Parliament Approves Framework for University Reform
In June 2023, the Danish Parliament approved a broad agreement to reform university degree programmes. The reform includes sector resizing—reducing admissions at the Bachelor’s level—and converting 15% of MScEng programmes into Master’s degrees for working professionals. At Aarhus University’s Faculty of Technical Sciences, this will affect all six BScEng programmes, which must reduce student intake accordingly.
FINLAND
Reformed Student Selection Process
From spring 2025, Finnish universities will replace approximately 120 separate entrance exams with nine field-specific exams. Applicants will be able to apply to several fields and universities with a single exam, reducing administrative burdens and improving access. The technology field, which already uses a common DiA selection procedure, will now be fully integrated into this national reform to enhance the transition from secondary to higher education.
LATVIA
Transition to Cyclical Accreditation
The Ministry of Education and Science is introducing a cyclical institutional accreditation model between 2025 and 2027. This model emphasizes regular evaluation of institutions’ governance, resources, and societal impact. It aims to strengthen autonomy and reduce administrative burdens.
More information: www.researchlatvia.gov.lv
Reform of Doctoral Studies
Latvia has amended the funding system for doctoral education. From now on, state-funded doctoral study places will be allocated based on universities’ research performance in specific scientific fields. Criteria include international evaluations and the number of doctoral candidates prepared in the last three years. A national evaluation of all scientific fields is scheduled for autumn 2025.
More information: www.researchlatvia.gov.lv, www.izm.gov.lv
Language Policy for Academic Staff
New amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions allow foreign academic staff to be elected without meeting Latvian language proficiency requirements at the time of appointment, provided they acquire the necessary skills within six years.
More information: www.saeima.lv
LITHUANIA
KTU Joins National Teacher Training Centre
At the end of 2024, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), along with three other institutions, became part of Lithuania’s consolidated Teacher Training Centre. Granted a six-year status by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the Centre operates on a shared leadership model to train adaptable, research-driven educators—especially in STEM fields. The initiative addresses national teacher shortages and fosters educational innovation across regions.
Parliamentary Discussion on Digital Academic Credentials
In May 2025, the Lithuanian Parliament hosted a meeting with stakeholders—including ministries and the Rectors’ Conference—to discuss the European infrastructure for exchanging digital academic documents. The focus was on Lithuania’s obligations under the updated eIDAS 2.0 Regulation and the implementation of the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) using the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI). Key themes included diploma digitalization, cross-border interoperability, and technical readiness.
