Fees for foreign students in autumn 2011 to be introduced
NEWS
Today, the Swedish government formally presented a bill in parliament that proposes the introduction of application and tuition fees for students outside the EU/EEA for the autumn 2011 term. In addition, two grant systems will be launched in connection with the fees.
The government’s aim is that higher education institutions should compete on the basis of quality, not on the basis of free education. The introduction of tuition fees will also give higher education institutions the possibility of working more strategically on recruiting these students.
In recent years there have been a record number of international applicants to courses and programmes at Swedish universities.
“We are very pleased with this increase and we expect this positive trend to continue since Umeå University maintains high standards. International students contribute a tremendous amount to our university,” says Åsa Bergenheim, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education.
Fees for students outside the EU/EEA starting in autumn 2011
The fees will apply to citizens from countries outside the European Union (EU), the EEA (European Economic Area; Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland. Tuition fees will be introduced for education at the undergraduate and advanced level. Doctoral level studies will remain free of charge for all foreign students.
Students that have begun their two-year studies before tuition fees are introduced will be able to complete their study programme according to the rules in the current system, and will not be liable to pay fees.
Scholarship system to be offered
One grant programme, which will initially consist of SEK 30 million per year, will target students in the 12 countries with which Sweden has long-term development cooperation. The grants will be administered by the Swedish Institute and will cover both living costs and tuition fees.
The second grant system, which in 2011 will consist of SEK 30 million and, as of 2012, of SEK 60 million, will target highly qualified students. The money will be allocated to universities and higher education institutions, which will then take care of allocating the grants to students.
