Sweden wants to introduce fees for foreign students

The Government wants to introduce fees for foreign students

The Government is planning to present a proposal to the Riksdag on a system of fees for non-European students (from countries outside the EEA). The decision is based in part on a report by an inquiry appointed by the former government, which proposed a fee system (SOU 2006:7).
A large international market for students has emerged. According to the most recent statistics available (2004), 2.7 million students study abroad, and the number is growing rapidly. Today, fees for studying at universities and other higher education institutions are normal in large parts of the world. There is clearly an ability to pay in this market, either by the students' families or through systems of grants in their home countries.

"Swedish universities and colleges must maintain a high international standard. There are resources in the international student market that we are missing out on. If Sweden could gain access to these funds, our opportunities for strengthening our competitiveness would increase," says Minister for Higher Education and Research Lars Leijonborg.
Today there are some 8 000 students in Swedish higher education institutions from countries outside the EEA. The Government considers that it is valuable that students from other countries study in Sweden. There is no desire for the fee reform to result in a reduction in the number of foreign students. In accordance with the inquiry's proposals, the introduction of fees should be supplemented by a system of grants, which would make it possible for even those students without other financing to study in Sweden.
It is a well established principle that studies in Sweden must be free of charge for Swedes, and this remains in place. Accordingly, studies will also be free of charge for EEA citizens.
The proposal will be presented to the Riksdag this autumn in a government bill on internationalisation of higher education.


Contact
Eva-Marie BybergPress Secretary to Lars Leijonborgwork +46 8 405 38 77cell +46 70 772 74 47email to Eva-Marie Byberg