Possible tuition fees for non-EU/EES students from 2011

Posted: 9/14/2009 11:25:48 AM

The Swedish government suggests that tuition fees be introduced from the academic year 2011-2012 for citizens from non-EU/EES countries. The Ministry for Higher Education recently confirmed that the proposal also includes an expanded scholarship system, offering additional scholarship opportunities for applicants from these countries.

Under the current system, tuition fees for university education are fully subsidized by the government, for both Swedish and international students. The new system is to be put in effect in order to ensure the high quality of Swedish education and to maintain a high proportion of international students through the increase of scholarship programs for international applicants.

Students who have started a course or study program before the introduction of tuition fees would not be charged tuition fees for the duration of the course or study program in question. In other words, students who have started a program in 2010 will not be affected by the fees, even if they participate in a program that spans over 2011, or longer. Students from the EU/EES region will continue to abide by the same rules as Swedish students in accordance with EU legislation.

This information will be updated and supplemented on www.studyinsweden.se as soon as the proposal is introduced formally by the Swedish government - including more specific information about scholarship opportunities

Karl Peterson

Web editor and project manager, Studyinsweden.se

CommentReport this

Posted: 7/9/2010 8:02:13 AM

Hi Jae Hong,

Are you suggesting that living cost in Sweden is cheaper than Germany? I believe it's more or less around €900/mth everywhere in Europe, so as long as you prepare €21000 in bank then it's okay for 2 yrs full time study. What I'm trying to say is that if you study in Sweden starting next autumn this amount can easily become double after taking tuition fee into calculation: additional €20k-30k for tuition fee alone. No one is planning to continue study by relying on part-time work to support daily life. Part time work is only meant to provide allowance to travel to neighboring countries during semester break and not to pay the bill. Welfare system in any country is only meant for their citizen and PR holders, and it's fair enough.

German language is not easy, but in the long term it is more beneficial since many German companies having office branches in Asia. I got a friend (foreign student) who works part-time in a German company, he told me that in western Germany people at work speak in English moreover if your part time work is in IT-related field.

CommentReport this

Posted: 7/8/2010 8:41:10 PM

I write my point of view based on my (and my sister`s) life experience.

I live in italy, Rome, and my sister works here.

My sister`s university tuition fee= 3000 euro.

I guess germany and rome are more or less the same.

Well, if the tuition fee is cheaper ..it is true that it looks like you have better chances in germany rather than swe.. BUT IT ONLY LOOKS SO.

The cheap tuition fee comes at a cost... it means super expensive daily life and very very very hard work to maintain yourself therefore less time to study. And you think getting part time work is easier in german? huh? who said that? there is no rule about that... plus, you have to know german (like in all other countries with their own languages) in order to get a job, and in my opinion german and polish are the hardest languages here in eu.

Nordic and english languages are the easiest.

So:

- More time to study a language

- much more expensive life cost including apartment, daily life, books, and so on.

-say good bye to the beloved welfare system which "third world" people want so much.

the challenge level is as same as in every part of europe, and each nation has its pro and cons...however in my personal opinion It is suitable for people who have a tight budget to arrange themselves and then to move to scandinavia, as welfare system helps you a lot.

Don`t even try at western european countries if you can`t afford it or if you don`t get scholarship. Believe me.

it is much, MUCH MUCH MUCH harder in the end.. and i had the confirm from swedish students who live here aswell.

CommentReport this

Posted: 7/8/2010 11:31:00 AM

I was considering of taking master degree in Sweden, but then with this new bill introduced I think I will just go for Germany / Switzerland instead for several factors:

1. Tuition fee in Germany/Switzerland is far cheaper (€1,000) compared to €10,000-€15,000 per year in Sweden universities.

2. German language is more widely used at work.

3. Getting part-time work is easier in German.

I've been saving up for continuing my study after 5 yrs working to pay for my living cost during master degree. Studying in Europe I believe there will be no such thing as student loan for foreign students and it means 2 years without having income and only purely spending for 2 years (living cost + tuition fee=€40,000-€50,000).

So, for prospective students from third world countries like me Sweden is definitely not a viable option anymore.

Some advice for other prospective foreign students who are considering Sweden:

- if you got scholarship from Sweden, then go for Sweden

- if you are in tight budget then go to Germany/Switzerland

- if you have rich parents who are willing to support you through your study do consider English speaking countries like Australia or Canada. It will be easier to live there as you don't need to learn new language.

CommentReport this

Posted: 7/1/2010 9:44:20 PM

I think they`ve done this in order to reduce the mass immigration and to control over it, the hardest problem that sweden is facing today and the reason racism is growing there and let me say.. you`re doing it SOOOOOOOOOO WROOOOONG. Approved from people with excuses like " we pay taxes for swedes, for ourselves and for our welfare not for foreigners therefore we approve" and more stupid not-deeply-thought excuses because sweden is attracting great minds and this is one of only few investments that sweden is competing against all other nations. I can afford the fee so the problem doesn`t affect me, but If I were a Swede, who really cares about the progress and the improvment of my country..well.......by approving the tuition fee sweden has just done Harakiri (in case you don`t know, it is samurai`s ritual suicide).. years,years,years,years,years,YEAAARS of hard work of great minds to become one of the most famous, most well-looked nation, one of the biggest attractions of great minds and now just because of this..IT IS GOING AWAAAAAAY !

if they think that investment done with tuition fees will grow further more the education or researches..they didn`t think that most of students will go away because they can`t afford it..universities without students, wow, really competing universities aren`t they?

Following the american system is the easiest way, but not fair. and sweden is famous for her fairness.

However, whatever happens, Sweden you`re in my heart now and forever !

CommentReport this

Posted: 7/1/2010 5:12:42 PM

As a Swedish person I think this is overall very bad for the country.

I can understand that we charge some amounts of money but the amounts hinted at: 10-13,000 US$ per year is way too high in my opinion.

It disgusts me when I realize that most of the international students I met, and friends I made, while studying at Lund for my Masters - where 90% or so of all masters students are international - would not have been there if there was a fee.

With tuiton costs of around 13,000 US$ per year how can we compete for international students if it costs roughly the same or is even cheaper to study in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand ?

Countries where they speak English, have the same or often better quality in education, and where there is very easy for international students to find part-time work !

I studied for 6 years in Australia and I do not think Sweden has a better quality in its education than Australia has and most degrees in Oz would cost less that 13,000 US$ per year, it was also very easy to find part-time work there.

Another negative thing is that Sweden will loose the diversity of international students it receives.

I think this is move towards a more conservative or Eurocentric Sweden, the aim seems to be to encourage more European students to come to Sweden instead of non-Europeans.

CommentReport this

Posted: 6/25/2010 9:20:51 AM

Hello,

I am currently a student finishing their bachelors in US, of which I am a citizen. Is there anywhere I can find the prospective rates, as to not waste my time applying/researching schools in Sweden if I cannot afford?

Thank you.

CommentReport this

Posted: 2/19/2010 1:46:11 PM

Today, February 19th, the Swedish government has presented the bill (referred to above) outlining tuition and application fees for students from non-EU/EEA countries from the 2011/2012 academic year. This is to be supplemented by scholarship programs.

Read more in our feature on:

http://www.studyinsweden.se/Home/News-archive/2010/Tuition-fees-from-2011/

//Lisa Larsson, Communit Manager SwedenInTouch

CommentReport this

Posted: 2/10/2010 1:09:54 PM

Hello,

I am 3rd year student. Now the academic year is 2009-2010.(spring)

4th year will be 2010-2011.

I'll apply for Master's in the 2010-2011 academic year(spring).I won't be affected by possible tuition fees.Am i right?

Regards,

Mustafa

CommentReport this

Posted: 1/22/2010 7:09:20 PM

Hello,

Academic year 2011-2012 means autumn 2011 and spring 2012.

Spring 2011 instead belongs to 2010-2011, and thus you should not be affected by possible tuition fees.

Regards,

David

CommentReport this