Next step: Tech’s new four-year work-integrated Master’s degree programmes have been approved

From 2026, some of Tech’s Master’s degree students will be able to do their Master’s degree over four years, dividing their time between studying and working, as an alternative to the regular two-year Master’s degree programmes. This is now a fact after the Minister for Higher Education and Science has approved Tech’s offering of degree programmes as four-year Master’s degree programmes.

“The Master’s reform is a fact of life, but having said that, we see great potential for even closer collaboration with business and industry through our work-integrated Master’s degree programmes. In designing and implementing the new programmes, our task is now to identify the exact format that works best for our teachers, our students and their future employers,” says Louise Møller Haase, Vice-dean for Education at Tech.

The interest expressed by business and industry has already resulted in concrete collaborations. From this year, our future Master’s degree students will be offered the opportunity to focus on water technology during the master's degree programme in chemistry and biotechnology. The new course offering has been developed in close dialogue with Water Valley Denmark, and three companies – Kamstrup, Grundfos and AVK – will collaborate with Tech to employ graduates from the work-integrated Master’s degree programme with the specialisation.

“I look forward to working with the three companies involved in our pilot project, and I’m sure they will not regret their decision to show the way and help blaze new trails in the educational landscape. We know that business and industry already love our graduates, and I’m convinced that together with the companies we can create some really good degrees,” says Louise Møller Haase.

The work-integrated Master’s programmes must be at the same academic level as the ordinary Master’s degree programmes, and quality and academic excellence are therefore paramount as Tech sets out to create 120 ECTS work-integrated Master’s degree programmes at all MScEng programmes, the Master’s degree programme in Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology and, later on, two of the new Master’s degree programmes offered by AU Viborg.

“I definitely expect the new Master’s degree programmes to be welcomed by our students, and they may even appeal to completely new target groups. For example students who are keen to enter the labour market quickly, who already have a job, or who may prefer to be paid a salary during their studies rather than living on a student grant,” says Louise Møller Haase.

Facts about Tech’s new work-integrated Master’s degree programmes

The four-year work-integrated Master’s degree programme will consist of 120 ECTS credits spread over four years and equating to an average workload of 25 hours per week while studying. Students on the four-year work-integrated Master’s degree programmes are not eligible for student grants and loans (SU).

The four-year Master’s degree programmes will be offered with an expected start in summer 2026.

As part of the Master’s reform, a new three-year work-integrated Master’s degree programme is also being introduced, consisting of one year of full-time study followed by a two years with a company alongside with studying. Tech also plans to offer this version once the Ministry of Higher Education and Science gives the go-ahead.

For our MScEng programmes, the Master’s reform means that Tech must offer 15 percent fewer study places on the regular two-year Master's programmes, while the intake for Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology, Animal Science, and Plant and Food Science must be reduced by 30%. Veterinary Medicine is not affected. This programme cannot be converted into a new format as it is an authorisation-granting degree.

Read more: The Master’s reform at Tech: An overview