Denmark: 16-19 Year-Olds—Study and Population Trends

Abstract

Seventy thousand young persons, the largest number ever, have this year applied for further studies after completion of comprehensive education, and for the first time the coordinated application system has been used. This means that prospective pupils have been able to apply at the same time to the upper secondary school (gymnasium), for higher preparatory courses, which are an alternative to the gymnasium, and for courses preparing for a vocation. It appears from the results of the coordinated application system that even the very young have clearer ideas—and stronger inclinations as regards particular objectives—than had formerly been supposed. When applying for a training course at the upper secondary level, young people may quote in order of preference the three kinds of training they would like to undertake and give three choices of school for each training course. Only 15 percent of the applicants to the gymnasium, and 25 percent of those applying for the higher preparatory courses, expressed more than one wish, and their second choice was often only another gymnasium or another higher preparatory course. Of the applicants for a technical vocational training some 40 percent expressed more than one alternative, as did 25 percent of those applying for entrance to a commercial school.