Government bill presented on fees for non-EU/EEA students

"Education is today a global market. Sweden should compete in this market by offering high quality education, not by offering free education," said Tobias Krantz, Minister for Higher Education and Research, in a government press release.

The fees will apply for students coming from outside the EU/EEA. Universities and university colleges will decide how high the fee will be based in the principal of full cost coverage.

Two scholarship programmes
In association with the introduction of fees the government recommends the establishment of two scholarship systems. The first, which to begin with approximates to SEK 30 million per year, is aimed at students in the twelve countries that Sweden has a long-term development partnership with. These scholarships will be administered by the Swedish Institute.

The second scholarship programme, which in 2011 will also amount to SEK 30 million and which will rise to SEK 60 million per year in 2012, is aimed at especially qualified students. This funding will be distributed to universities and university colleges who will in turn award funding to individual students.

"Foreign students are an asset for Swedish institutes of higher education. By ceasing to offer education for free to those who can afford to pay, we are able to focus on students from those countries with which we have development partnerships with, as well as especially talented students. This is a much more effective way of using Swedish taxes," said Minister for Higher Education and Research, Tobias Krantz.

Study and application fees will apply from autumn 2011.

More information:
Government Education and research webpage: http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2098
Study in Sweden website: http://www.studyinsweden.se/Home/News-archive/2010/Tuition-fees-from-2011/

Text: Per Larsson/PP