Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
The new tuition system would be implemented on January 1st, 2010, at the latest.
Here is the link - http://www.thelocal.se/12594/20080623/
Is Finland next?
Here is the link - http://www.thelocal.se/12594/20080623/
Is Finland next?
Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
It's possible, similar discussions have been in the air here as well for quite a few years already. But as yet, nothing definitive has emerged. You know, it requires a change in the law so it is very much a political question.
In this issue, it's better not to rely on hearsay but just to follow the situation through news and possibly also the Ministry of Education site http://www.minedu.fi(although if you ask me they could notify more clearly of where the matter currently stands, since obviously the students are willing to know...)
This is the latest piece of news, IIRC. On page 33 in this document it is also mentioned that during the period 2007-2012, certain (second cycle) degree programmes might be allowed to collect tuition fees from non-EU students in a "trial period" fashion - there'd also be a scholarship programme of some sort. After the trial period, a final decision would be made whether to scrap the tuition fee idea or whether to "go on with it". But as it is currently, the situation is a bit vague.
In this issue, it's better not to rely on hearsay but just to follow the situation through news and possibly also the Ministry of Education site http://www.minedu.fi(although if you ask me they could notify more clearly of where the matter currently stands, since obviously the students are willing to know...)
This is the latest piece of news, IIRC. On page 33 in this document it is also mentioned that during the period 2007-2012, certain (second cycle) degree programmes might be allowed to collect tuition fees from non-EU students in a "trial period" fashion - there'd also be a scholarship programme of some sort. After the trial period, a final decision would be made whether to scrap the tuition fee idea or whether to "go on with it". But as it is currently, the situation is a bit vague.
Last edited by sammy on Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
Finland has had a tendency to follow Sweden, but I think they won't follow blindly. So they'll wait for an example, unless of course the political will is changed.
The "made to order" smells more like some sort of joint venture ripoff with a college someplace elsewhere. I wonder if it'll have any effects on the current amount of "free" English language programmes.
The "made to order" smells more like some sort of joint venture ripoff with a college someplace elsewhere. I wonder if it'll have any effects on the current amount of "free" English language programmes.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
Atleast i would like to see this on action, education is paid on finnish taxpayers money so no need to give it for free.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
These countries are, I think ,the only ones to provide education free of cost for foreigners; however, given the fact that some countries are already pulling so many international students because of their programmed marketing, will Sweden and Finland(?) be able to compete in the near future with them? International students bring living expenses with them to spend in Finland
and they pay tuition fees as well
, it must be an icing on the cake but how many students will they be able to attract? Considering the fact that Finland is already facing acute shortage of manpower and as a donor country, Finland contribute sort of some good to the whole world through free education, how much good will it do to Finland? Just for the sake of discussion.......!!! 




Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
As far as i can see we dont need to compete about students, we have enough finnish students.
I think its nice to have foreigners to study in here but i think its more important that finnish study on those places if those are paid by finnish taxpayers.
Im "normal" finnish, i dont mind as long it wont be my money, if other country gives free equal opportunity to us also then theres no problem. I think its important to study in other countries but we have to be equal on that.
Its more than nice that one from uk comes to study in here and one from here goes to uk etc. If its equal.
I think its nice to have foreigners to study in here but i think its more important that finnish study on those places if those are paid by finnish taxpayers.
Im "normal" finnish, i dont mind as long it wont be my money, if other country gives free equal opportunity to us also then theres no problem. I think its important to study in other countries but we have to be equal on that.
Its more than nice that one from uk comes to study in here and one from here goes to uk etc. If its equal.
Caesare weold Graecum, ond Caelic Finnum
Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
I think education should be free...and I think its the one thing that Finland has got right. Although I do think people outside the EU should pay something!onkko wrote:Atleast i would like to see this on action, education is paid on finnish taxpayers money so no need to give it for free.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
My sentiments exactly. Not that I would be anti-immigrant, but rather anti-taking-people-in-with-false-expectations. As then they start complaining and annoy the hell out of me. Also annoying me with their f*n "interntional marketing" degrees from Nowheremäki polytechnic I ask them what do you sell - tree sap? At least I could sell moose droppings if I was industrious... I blame the bloody Keskustapuolue trying to "keep the countryside alive". The problem is indeed fuelling this idea that you can find some lucrative job in some dead-end with huge unemployment and expect the locals being all happy.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
It is not only what Finland needs. It can be seen as a kind of development aid. At least it is more productive than just sending money to (corrupt) poor countries.geniedevil wrote:Finland only need IT students who will find a job and stay.
And it's no problem having a location in nowheremäki. But I agree no useless studies like international business sh**t.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
Not at all if you don't expect to find a job.rinso wrote: And it's no problem having a location in nowheremäki.
Talvivaaran kaivos alentaa Kainuun nykyistä noin 15 % työttömyyden tasoa vuosina 2007-2031 keskimäärin 2 %-yksiköllä. Kainuun työttömyysongelmaa se ei ratkaise, mutta lievittää sitä merkittävästi.
Cheers, Hank W.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
I don't think your universities see it as development aid to developing countries. It is part of a strategy to increase their visibility in the academic world. The following quotes are from the Web pages of Univ. of Helsinki:rinso wrote:It is not only what Finland needs. It can be seen as a kind of development aid. At least it is more productive than just sending money to (corrupt) poor countries.geniedevil wrote:Finland only need IT students who will find a job and stay.
And it's no problem having a location in nowheremäki. But I agree no useless studies like international business sh**t.
On another page, I found:1,552 international students applied to the University of Helsinki Most of the applications were received from China, Russia and Bangladesh.
Slightly over 1,550 applications were received for the university’s international programmes this year. It is hoped that the number of applications will increase in future so more resources will be assigned to recruiting international students.
According to our strategy, the aim is that international students will make up 5% of all basic degree students and 15% of post-graduate students by 2009, says Rebekka Niskanen, director of applicant services.
Currently, the share of international students at the university is about 3%.
Students will be attracted by increasing the number of master’s degree programmes and strengthening marketing.
This year there were already five more programmes than in the previous year. Students can now apply for a total of 19 programmes.
The Master’s degree programmes for natural sciences and biotechnology are very popular among applicants, and the Master’s degree programme in forestry, for instance, has established its position in a couple of years. Of the new programmes, the Master’s degree programme in cultural diversity was a positive surprise, Ms. Niskanen says.
This year the number of applications decreased by 350 from last year, which was due to a fall in the number of programmes available in English. It is no longer possible to apply for lower academic degree programmes without a sufficient command of Finnish or Swedish.
And if you read through the pages of the International Affairs of Univ. of Helsinki, the dominant theme is Internationalism and Internationalize.Internationalization is an important element in the University strategy for the next years. We wish to double our numbers of foreign students and considerably increase the number of foreign professors, teachers and researchers.
Various measures, including establishing an International Admissions Office and improving international recruitment on all levels, are taken to achieve these goals. The work is coordinated by International Affairs.
Like all the top universities in the world, they are looking to recruit the best and brightest -- no matter where they were born. And really, that will benefit Finnish students as much as those who come from outside of Finland to attend your universities.
But of course the concern of some here is about fees and tuition. The reputations of universities are built over time through strong degree programs, an excellent academic faculty, ground-breaking research and the pursuits and success of alumni. It doesn't seem they will throw up fees/tuitions at this point. That comes later. I'm sure they are curious to see how it goes in Sweden.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
Yes, thats University of Helsinki - We're talking here of of taking an engineering degree at MIT vs. women studies and basket weaving from Bumfuk Community College, Horsedropping AZ.
Cheers, Hank W.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
So maybe your little nowheremaki institutions are just trying to keep up with the big boys and girls in Helsinki.
But isn't diversity at Nowheremaki U. just as vital to its development as it is for U of Helsinki. Threads about these topics just meander all over the place so I'm not sure what it is that really irks folks about international (or non-EU) students and your system of free education.
I mean I'm pretty amazed that my daughter is going to spend a year at UTa and we don't have to pay a euro of tuition. I keep feeling like I should make a donation in lieu of tuition. But then in the US, I have friends who make sure we all know they are paying $50,000 year for their child to attend New York University's Tisch School of Drama! American's tend to like to pay lots of money for things so they can talk about it

But isn't diversity at Nowheremaki U. just as vital to its development as it is for U of Helsinki. Threads about these topics just meander all over the place so I'm not sure what it is that really irks folks about international (or non-EU) students and your system of free education.
I mean I'm pretty amazed that my daughter is going to spend a year at UTa and we don't have to pay a euro of tuition. I keep feeling like I should make a donation in lieu of tuition. But then in the US, I have friends who make sure we all know they are paying $50,000 year for their child to attend New York University's Tisch School of Drama! American's tend to like to pay lots of money for things so they can talk about it

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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
The polytechnics get money from the government to keep the Nowheremäki shelter jobs. There is no question of Finland "needing" some Nowheremäki polytechnic in the first place.mrshourula wrote:So maybe your little nowheremaki institutions are just trying to keep up with the big boys and girls in Helsinki.
My salary before and after taxes is what irks me the mostwhat it is that really irks folks about international (or non-EU) students and your system of free education.

Cheers, Hank W.
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Re: Sweden: Tuition fees approved for non-European citizens
So I guess now when Ravvy comes to Finland for his road trip he will save his gasoline receipts to keep the discussions interestingAmerican's tend to like to pay lots of money for things so they can talk about it

Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.