AAU works purposefully towards ensuring diversity on all programmes. This is especially evident on programmes with a traditionally uneven gender distribution. On these programmes it is continuously discussed whether special initiatives are needed.

For example, the Faculty of Engineering and Science has set a goal of 50% female students and 50% male students, and the Technical Faculty of IT and Design has set a goal of 30% female students before 2025. In order to reach their goals, the faculties have created special event-based activities like an IT camp for female High School students and Girl’s Day in Science. AAU also often creates special communication and campaign efforts primarily directed towards female High School students, e.g. trough our MakeItReal initiative and the stories we share on social media.

In general, AAU deliberately uses an equal representation of men and women of different ethnicities in educational information material, and we encourage our female students to serve as role models to other students.

Inclusive study environments are highly prioritized at Aalborg University. A good, inclusive study environment is characterized by an equal, appreciative and respectful culture.

That is why there is a great focus on the onboarding of students, who become carriers of the good culture. All tutors have a common set of values, which is also the platform of a unified educational day for them. Their work helps new students feel appreciated at AAU, regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. 

AAU deliberately employs many female mentors, and several of the programmes work with specific objectives in order to create and maintain a diverse and good culture – for example, the Technical Faculty of IT and Design aims to ensure that the dropout rate among female students is not higher than that of male students. In addition to that, the programmes typically work with different group formation formats in order to blend Danish and international students, as well as female and male students. At AAU, there are also common guidelines for dealing with students’ experiences of abusive and offensive behaviour.

Inclusive study environments are also largely supported by the involvement of students. Therefore, AAU makes special communication efforts in relation to the students’ positions and choices for governing bodies and facilitates student-driven projects regarding the layout of the university’s physical environment.

The Committee for Equality and Diversity has been appointed by the Executive Management, and is responsible for the strategic and long-term development of equality and diversity efforts at AAU.

AAU has an action plan for equality and diversity regarding students. The action plan describes, among other things, how AAU actively work with initiatives that aim to promote diversity and inclusion among students at AAU.

There are three intervention areas in the action plan. The intervention area recruitment and career guidance has been chosen to promote diversity and equality within the students. The activities under the intervention area aim to reduce unconscious bias in recruitment processes and ensure diversity in career guidance and offers.

To promote inclusion, AAU has chosen the intervention areas of organizational culture and study-life balance. The university will raise awareness of inclusive for student regardless of gender, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, religion, etc. The university will also strive to foster study-life balance through guidance, focus on study intensity, and flexible conditions during the education.

You can read the action plan here.

Each study programme has its own curriculum, describing the course of study. In the curriculum you can thus read about the content of your programme, at what times you are to follow specific courses and how the different exams are conducted. If you, due to special challenges, cannot follow the course of study established in the curriculum, you can apply for exemption. Thus, if you have a wish for your studies to be arranged in a certain manner, which better accomodates your needs, you can contact the head of studies or the study board and hear about your options.

The same conditions apply regarding exams, as you can apply for exemption from the exam conditions. For example, this might be prolonged time for the exam, use of special aids, sitting in a seperate room, a change to the exam form from oral to written or the like. You must apply for this through the study board.

Special Educational Support (SPS) is an offer to students with a psychological or neurological condition, allowing them to complete their studies on an equal footing with others, through a variety of aids or a support person. The support is individually tailored. SPS is only given for the things which directly relate to your studies. For this reason, support cannot be received for e.g. transport, living expenses, homework assistance or extra lessons.

The SPS arrangement is handled by the SU Office at AAU, and all cases are handled in confidentiality. Your diploma will thus not show that you have received SPS.

You are always welcome at the General Student Guidance. We offer general guidance and can help give you an overview of who can help you with what.

Additionally, you can always ask your programme counsellor, who can give you guidance on anything relating to your programme specifically.

Multiple social workers and psychologists are also ready to help, if you feel that your student life is challenging. Through them, you can get help with personal issues.

Here we have compiled a list of links to organisations and websites about support for people with disabilities.

Special Educational Support

Special Educational Support (SPS) is a service for students with disabilities, providing support for aids that help students successfully complete their chosen education.

The Danish association of Youth With Disabilities

The Danish association of Youth With Disabilities (SUMH) is an umbrella organization led by and working for young people with disabilities. SUMH makes the needs of young people with disabilities visible through political advocacy and by carrying out projects. They develop methods and tools which address all aspects of living out youthhood, such as education, leisure and freetime, working life, friendships, sexuality and accessibility.

Disabled People's Organisations Denmark

Disabled People's Organisations Denmark (DPOD) is an umbrella organisation working for the right to equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.

The Danish Disability Counsel

On the basis of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, The Danish Disability Counsel aims to create a society in which people with and without disabilities have equal opportunities