Finland to Implement Complete Tuition Charges for Non-EU/EEA Students
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Finland proposes implementing full tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students pursuing higher education in the country.
- The aim is to encourage non-EU/EEA students to remain in Finland post-graduation.
- The proposal also includes introducing an application fee for non-EU/EEA students.
Finland is considering implementing higher tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students seeking higher education opportunities in the country.
The Finnish government has suggested amending the Universities Act and the Universities of Applied Sciences Act to change the existing fee structure for university programs taught in languages other than Finnish or Swedish.
Under the proposal, students from non-EU/EEA countries would be required to pay the full tuition fee, covering the cost of their education and training.
According to Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala, this change aims to incentivize foreign students to stay in Finland after completing their studies.
By charging full-cost tuition fees, Finland seeks to bolster the financial resources of higher education institutions and encourage foreign students to contribute to the country's workforce.
Additionally, the government plans to introduce an application fee for non-EU/EEA students to mitigate the influx of low-quality applications that burden higher education institutions.
The proposed changes aim to streamline administrative processes for higher education institutions and ensure clarity in agreements for commissioned education.
While primarily targeting non-EU/EEA citizens, the government acknowledges exemptions, particularly for individuals under temporary protection status who will not be subject to full tuition fees.