Universities in new report: Students from Bangladesh struggle academically and receive lower grades

The trend first appeared in 2023. At Aarhus University, the largest number of Master’s degree applications came from students from Bangladesh, excluding applications from Danish citizens.  Since then, applications from Bangladesh have increased even more, and Bangladeshi students are now the largest group of international students at AU.

Omnibus reported earlier in 2025 on the high number of applications from Bangladesh, and the challenges this influx has presented for AU. A review of all Danish universities showed that this is a nationwide phenomenon. 

Applications from students from Bangladesh have more than doubled in one year, making them the largest group of international Master’s degree students at AU

Since then, Danish newspapers Politiken and Berlingske, among others, have investigated the development. Before the summer, Minister for Higher Education and Research Christina Egelund (M) launched a study of Bangladeshi and Nepalese students at Danish universities. The survey, in which all eight Danish universities answered a series of questions, has now been published (in Danish). 

The universities were asked whether they have knowledge of, or hypotheses about, the causes of the marked increase. Many pointed out that other European countries, including Denmark’s neighbours, have made it harder for students from Bangladesh to study there, while conditions in Denmark are more favourable. Bangladeshi students choose Denmark partly because it allows them to bring their spouse and children, who have the right to work while living in the country. 

“One third of the students do not appear to be genuinely study-oriented, but are rather motivated by the opportunity to stay in Denmark,” Aarhus University states in the survey.

So-called agencies in Bangladesh are also partly responsible. Aalborg University notes that “a great many” apply via an agent, while Copenhagen Business School (CBS) receives “a number of emails from agents and similar intermediaries looking to cooperate on recruitment” from both Bangladesh and Nepal. 

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) points out that students have been “led to believe” by agents that it is relatively easier to obtain a residence permit in Denmark than in some other countries with comparable economic conditions. 

Lower academic level

Danish universities were also asked to assess the applicants’ qualifications and whether they see particular strengths or challenges among students from Bangladesh and Nepal. 

Here, the universities broadly report – supported by data – that these students struggle academically compared with other students. 

“The general experience in admissions processes is that degrees from Bangladesh and Nepal are often not assessed as adequately matching the academic level and content required to complete a master’s programme at Aarhus University,” AU writes in its response.

Students from Bangladesh at Aarhus University had a first-year dropout rate of 13 per cent in 2023 and 2024, compared with 4 per cent for other international students. Between 14-25 per cent of Bangladeshi students who registered for exams fail to show up, compared with 5-6 per cent for other international students.  The pass rate is between 55-65 per cent for Bangladeshi students at AU, while it is around 90 per cent for other nationalities. 

21 per cent of passed exams among Bangladeshi students received a grade of 02, compared with just 4 per cent among other international students. Only 3 per cent received the top grade of 12, compared with 17 per cent among other international students. 

“In short, many teaching environments report unprepared students, absenteeism, resits, language difficulties, and increasing instances of cheating. This negatively affects both the academic level and the social environment,” AU states.

Many of these factors are reflected at most Danish universities.  Aalborg University reports experiencing “a low academic level.” 

“Students admitted from Bangladesh are unfamiliar with taking exams, and group work – which is a hallmark of Aalborg University – is entirely new to them,” the survey notes.

DTU states that Bangladeshi students “have weak study progression, take few ECTS at a slow pace, generally receive low grades, and must retake exams several times before passing.”

At the University of Copenhagen, students are generally punctual, but “they have great difficulty keeping up with the teaching.” 

Tend to seek low-cost programmes 

The University of Copenhagen also notes that “surprisingly many enrolled in the Master’s in Religious Roots of Europe.” This programme happens to have one of the lowest tuition fees at KU. 

Students from Bangladesh also mainly apply to the cheapest programmes – rate 1 programmes – at Aalborg University, according to the survey. 

The Department of English at the School of Communication and Culture at AU told Omnibus earlier in the year that applications from Bangladesh had multiplied from one year to the next, which put significant pressure on the department. At AU, a year in the Master’s programme in English costs DKK 60,000, making it one of the cheaper master’s programmes at the university.

Omnibus spoke earlier in the year with several Bangladeshi students, some of whom explained that Norway had previously been a preferred destination. However, in autumn 2023, Norway went from offering free education to non-EU applicants to requiring tuition fees, which made the country less attractive.  For example, a student from a non-EU country wishing to pursue a Master’s in English and Literacy Studies at the University of Stavanger would face a yearly tuition fee equivalent to DKK 105,000.

Minister promises action

Based on the survey, Minister Christina Egelund told Berlingske that she intends to address what she calls a problem at Danish universities. According to the newspaper, she will consider tightening rules on bringing a working spouse, the cost of study, and admission requirements. 

Students coming to Denmark must come to study, not to work, and “they must meet the required academic level,” the minister explains. 

“Entering the country under the guise of being a student, while the real intention is for oneself and one’s spouse to gain access to the Danish labour market, is unacceptable,” she told Berlingske. 

This text is machine translated and post-edited by Cecillia Jensen