Kvalitetsreformen

Kvalitetsreformen, or the Quality Reform, refers to a major reform of the Danish higher education system implemented in the mid-2000s to improve quality, governance, and international compatibility in line with the Bologna Process. The reform was initiated by the Danish government and carried through by the universities and other higher education institutions.

A central feature of the reform was the establishment of a three-cycle degree structure: a bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), a master’s degree (120 ECTS), and the third cycle consisting of PhD studies. This shift aligned Danish degrees with common European standards and created clearer progression pathways for students. Programs were revisited and redesigned to map onto these cycles and to emphasize defined learning outcomes. In addition, a national framework for qualifications and program designs was introduced to promote standardization, transparency, and comparability across institutions.

Quality assurance and accountability were strengthened through new mechanisms for external evaluation and accreditation, alongside ongoing quality improvement processes within institutions. The reform also influenced governance and funding, linking resources and performance to quality indicators, program relevance, and alignment with labor market needs.

Impact and reception of the reform include greater international recognition of Danish degrees and improved student and staff mobility, as well as improved transparency about program goals and outcomes. Critics have pointed to increased administrative workload, potential homogenization of curricula, and challenges associated with implementing new systems across diverse institutions. Overall, the Quality Reform is regarded as a foundational change in modernizing Danish higher education and aligning it with European higher education standards.