FINLAND

Finland ponders introduction of university tuition fees

Finland could introduce university tuition fees if a proposal by the Finance Ministry gains support, reports Yle. At present Finnish university courses are free of charge to students from Finland, the European Union and the European Economic Area, with tuition fees for some courses for students from elsewhere.

The proposal was part of a report on budget adjustments the ministry thinks are necessary in the coming years, with officials arguing that a total of €9 billion (US$9.5 billion) of austerity measures are necessary over the next eight years.

One specific measure they suggested was to allow higher education institutions to charge tuition fees, and university managers asked by Yle said it could work for some students. The rectors of the University of Eastern Finland, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (JAMK) told Yle they would be ready to consider the proposal, with some reservations.
Full report on the Yle site