Universities may end up paying for tuition fees

The tuition fee trial period has begun less than smoothly in the universities. Only a handful of international masterÂ’s programmes have started charging tuition fees, and the number of students paying for education remains low.

The tuition fee trial period, begun in 2010, allows universities to charge tuition fees from students coming from outside the European Union and the European Economic Area and studying in foreign-language masterÂ’s programmes.

Initially, the trial was taken up by 125 study programmes, but only 19 actually started charging tuition fees. According to Riitta Pyykkö, Chair for the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council, it is difficult to evaluate the success of the tuition fee trial because the numbers are so small.

“As universities had to consider the prerequisites for the trial more closely, they came to the conclusion that participation may not be worth it. One marginal condition is that the university has its own scholarship system."

A scholarship system means that at least some students participating in chargeable study programmes may be granted a scholarship. The university may, for example, cover the tuition fee in its entirety or divide the costs with the student. When all is said and done, only a few students participating in the 19 masterÂ’s programmes are liable to pay the entire fee themselves.

“ItÂ’s ridiculous that this trial is happening all around the country, while only a few students are obliged to pay the full tuition fee", says Pyykkö.

According to Turku student newspaper, for instance, only one out of 40 Aalto University students participating in the trial must pay the full fee of 8,000 euros. Nine students pay half of the fee while the university sees to the other half, and the rest are entirely covered by the university. All in all, the trial period has turned unprofitable to Aalto University.

Universities charge tuition fees but end up paying themselves - whereÂ’s the sense in that?

“I donÂ’t suppose it makes much sense right now", Pyykkö says. “I believe that university representatives think that if a tuition fees system is properly set up, the number of students will increase and the process will turn a profit."

According to Pyykkö, a decision should be made on the matter one way or the other. Uncertainty about the future has reduced the universitiesÂ’ willingness to participate in the trial.

According to Mikko Markkola, Head of the Department of Academic Affairs, the University of Tampere will not charge tuition fees prior to autumn 2014. International masterÂ’s programmes starting in autumn 2013 have been established recently, so the tuition fees system cannot be applied to them.

“The situation is unclear because the trial period ends in 2014", says Markkola. “Now we are waiting for the Ministry’s decision in the spring. Will the trial end, or will it become permanent?"

University of Tampere still needs to create a scholarship system as required by the tuition fee trial. The details of the system, such as the criteria for granting scholarships, are still open. It is possible that the system will consider the lower income levels of some students from outside the EU as contributing factors. Study success is another possible criterion for granting scholarships.

“It’s a problem with many implications", Markkola says. “We must ensure that the scholarship money is used for studying only."

The University of Tampere doesnÂ’t expect to profit from the trial period in the short run.

“Especially at the initial stage, we should consider this an investment of sorts. This isn’t remotely a money-spinner."

“With our current knowledge of the progress of the tuition fee trial, it is extremely risky to join in", says Varpu Jutila, Secretary for International Affairs at the Student Union Tamy.

Jutila demands precise estimations on how big a hole could potentially be carved in the UniversityÂ’s budget by tuition fees and scholarship systems.

“Students from outside the EU number a few dozen. If the University intends to cash in on master’s programmes, it won’t happen with just a few students. In addition to the loss of international students, the tuition fees system, if established, may be expanded to cover all students if it doesn’t turn a profit."

In the Student UnionÂ’s opinion, the studentÂ’s income level should be a factor in determining scholarship recipients.

“Really talented but poor students should not be ruled out by tuition fees", Jutila concludes.

Samuli Huttunen