A Year with Tuition Fees Eva Åkesson Vice-Chancellor Uppsala universitet

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2 A Year with Tuition Fees Eva Åkesson Vice-Chancellor Uppsala universitet NUAS Conference on Communication Challenges for Nordic Universities August 12-14, 2012

3 Significant increase of Non-EES students Incoming freemovers to Sweden / / / / / / / / / / Unknown Non EES EES countries Source: The Swedish Agency for Higher Education Services (VHS),

4 Bologna process in Sweden New world new University 700 new master programmes 2007 Approx 500 master programmes in English Few students first year Increasing every year Approx 60% international students

5 Focus on knowledge - quality in higher education Absence of tuition fees more important than quality when international students chose Sweden for academic studies Source: p 7 "Konkurrera med kvalitet - studieavgifter för utländska studenter" Prop 2009/10:65,

6 Content of the Reform 2011 No governmental funding for Non-EES students Decrease funding approx 500 million SEK 2013 Each university decides the price full cost covering but profit not allowed result EUR / academic year All studies at BA and MA requires fees, PhD education still without fees For the first time stated in law that Higher Education for European Students shall be tuition free and introduction of Application Fee SEK 900

7 Some statistics -UU Admitted Freemovers at UU Top 10 Countries China India / / / / / / / / / /2011 Finland Pakistan Iran Germany Bangladesh USA Turkey Russia

8 Some statistics - UU Admitted students to Master Programmes at UU during , Top 10 non-ees countries ht 2010 ht 2011 ht 2012 China India Bangladesh Ethiopia USA Pakistan Turkey Tanzania Kenya Russia

9 National level, paid first installment per June 15, up 5% (2011 vs. 2012) Source: Swedish National Agency for Higher Education "1350 nya tredjelandsstudenter har betalat studieavgifter inför höstterminen 2012" p4, June 27, 2012,

10 Results national level Students who paid the first installment Small increase : + 5% Decrease compared with academic year 2010/2011 with ~ non-european students Data from June 15

11 Threats/challenges Reduced diversity in classroom Diminishing resources fewer students - fewer programs Reduced quality in research fewer qualified applicants for PhDprograms Reduced quality in education as well as research eventually leads to less attractiveness for new bright students.

12 Threats/challenges Application and admissions cycles not designed for the new situation. Demands: faster and more flexible designed for a competive situation operate with multiple intakes

13 Threats/challenges Slow and partly expensive visa process for applicants Hesitant and ambivalent approach towards students who wants to stay in Sweden after graduation Result Badwill for Sweden as a study destination and missing opportunities to link up to a new vibrant, international generation of employees

14 Opportunities Clear political decision (even though many details remains unsolved) Sweden is ahead of some countries where a tuition fee reform is still under discussion

15 Opportunities Well known academic brands Well known commercial brands (IKEA, Volvo, Ericsson, Skype)

16 Opportunites Safe, environmentally friendly, modern society with a functioning well fare state in function Price tag indicates higher quality than free offers Already attracting more students than the number of scholarships offered

17 Strategies at Uppsala University Before " more concerned on how to limit the number of applications"

18 Strategies at Uppsala University Excellence in Research and Education requires excellent international students Internal work at Uppsala University to change mind-set among staff Need for a more elaborated International Strategy Raised awareness of Uppsala University as an International Brand

19 Strategies at Uppsala University Development of a country strategy where UU wants to focus Relate to areas of already established research and educational cooperation Rethinking the programs offered Strengthening the international alumni activities Links in to the Pedagogical Program of UU and the need for further training of all staff Develop strategies on how to use scholarship to promote recruitment of talented students

20 Remaining issues Need for tidying up after the reform, many issues on all levels needs adjustment to the new situation Need for a review of application selection - admission processes Support organisation must be adjusted to a more competitive landscape

21 Remaining issues Reduce the application fee More scholarships, both private and public! Urgently adapt the Swedish regulations and facilitate participation in different external scholarship programs.and act promptly, not with a delay of 1-2 years or more

22 Need for a lasting handshake between universities and the private sector If Swedish universities will continue providing national and global companies with qualified co-workers they need to get involved already during their studies by; internships scholarships payed work during vacations mentors introductory programmes networking and activly offering career opportunities after graduation as for all students! Foreign employees are good for Swedish business Ewa Björling, Minister for trade, DN May 12, 2012

23 Many lessons left to learn Experiences from first year not enough for any solid conclusions Tuition fee reform is much more than simply sending an invoice to non-european students registered for studies at Uppsala University The reform highlights the interdependence of academic, society/public and business sectors and the new context for international recruitment of talents to Sweden

24 Lots of challenges Lots of opportunities Embedded in University strategy Need for dialogue between government and universities No comprehensive national strategy No clear politics on immigration Sweden as a study destination Europe, Nordic, Scandinavia, Uppsala? All?

25 Thanks for your attention!

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