This text has been translated from Norwegian with the assistance of GPT UiO.
– We have every reason to be satisfied with this year's applicant numbers, says Tora Skodvin, dean of studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences (SV).
Despite a general trend of fewer applicants for both bachelor's and master's programmes at the University of Oslo (UiO), the applicant numbers for SV remain relatively stable, with a slight increase in some study programmes.
– Social sciences are popular, and the faculty's systematic recruitment efforts over the years, including school visit initiatives, Open Days, and recruitment campaigns, also contribute to consistently strong applicant numbers for most of our study programmes, says Skodvin.
– Satisfied students and alumni are, at the same time, our foremost ambassadors for the courses we offer here at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Therefore, we work tirelessly to ensure an education of the highest quality and a conducive study environment.
Addressing societal challenges
SV has the most bachelor applicants at UiO. On average, there are over four applicants per study place at the bachelor’s level, and several of the faculty's study programmes are among the most popular at the university.
– Many want to study social sciences, says Tora Skodvin.
– It is also worth noting that our interdisciplinary study offerings are well-received. Many students wants a broader scope in their education, and they find this at the Faculty of Social Sciences, both through programmes that integrate interdisciplinary components into the curriculum and through flexible arrangements for including subjects from other faculties.
Although the dean of studies has reason to be pleased, there are areas within social sciences where the faculty is less successful in student recruitment.
– In addition to continuing our recruitment efforts, we will also further develop our study portfolio systematically. Our study programmes will maintain high academic quality and respond effectively to the societal challenges that young people are currently concerned about.
Strong interest in interdisciplinary study programmes
One of the interdisciplinary study programmes that has seen high application numbers over several years is the bachelor's degree in International Studies at the Department of Political Science (ISV). This programme is the fourteenth most popular at the entire UiO.
The programme leader for International Studies and professor at ISV, Dag Harald Claes, is pleased to hear about the results from this year's application round.
– The applicant numbers demonstrate stability in interest for an interdisciplinary programme. International Studies provides students with perspectives from four disciplines: law, economics, history, and political science, he explains.
Claes believes there are solid reasons for the high level of interest in the programme.
– We are at a crossroads in international political and economic relations, while respect for international law is being challenged. Fortunately, historical statistics show that we have many applicants even during times when there are fewer major wars and conflicts in the world than there are today, he adds.
– After over twenty years of operation, we feel that we have a well-functioning programme, with strong applicants who often gain admission to prestigious master's programmes at internationally ranked universities.