The vision
The Student Union of Tampere University thanks the Ministry of Education and Culture for the request and the opportunity to comment on the vision for higher education and research. Students embody what this vision aims to achieve. Change stems from the internal communities of universities and without the support of these communities, the vision cannot be realised. We consider the voice of all groups within the university community to be equally important in the work on this vision.
The vision lacks consideration for the students’ livelihood. More than 70 percent of higher education students graduating in 2024 had student loan debt when graduating. On average, the amount of debt is about 20,000 euros per graduate. Student indebtedness must be reversed by reforming the student benefit and support system. The system must enable full-time studies without forced indebtedness. We also call for a more comprehensive review of the well-being of young people and the structures that affect it. In order to raise the level of education, significant investments must be made in students’ health, well-being, and ability to study.
We propose to initiate parliamentary work to strengthen the funding of higher education. A law governing the funding of higher education would ensure stability and predictability in the operations of higher education institutions. In the vision, guidelines should be set to change the system from a one-time funding and cutting policy towards long-term and stable financial planning.
We are in support of the vision’s ambitious goal to raise the level of education. We believe that the goal requires long-term decisions such as the higher education funding act mentioned before. For example, a multi-term plan should be developed for the targeted increase of starting places, which would take better account of the distribution of study places in a sustainable way between different fields.
Finland is a pioneer in education, democracy, and academic freedom
We support the strengthening of university autonomy and academic freedom. As a country, Finland has moved downwards in the international comparison of academic freedom. It is of primary importance to support the freedom of academic activities now, when the level of freedom of science and study is still high.
Ensuring the autonomous functioning of universities means freedom from external control in research, education, administration, and economy. This also includes, in part, the participation of the university community in the decision-making of higher education institutions within the universities and the strengthening of these opportunities of participation. This should be reflected in the vision.
Education is for everyone and opportunities will be increased especially for young people
In the future, the universities’ student selection system must be equal and not place those applying for higher education in an unequal position based on the applicant’s previous educational path, socio-economic background, or financial standing. The vision should better examine the entire education path, taking into account the development needs that are critical for raising the level of education in comprehensive education, general upper secondary school, and vocational education.
The vision should more strongly strengthen the transition from vocational education to higher education. In addition, the barriers to higher education for immigrants and those with an S2 background must be dismantled. The national framework for student guidance set as a measure in the vision should prioritise the needs of a diversifying student body. The progress of studies and the raising of educational levels depend on how well higher education supports those with the greatest need for support.
Creative professionals and ambitious research renew society
Finland’s strength, when compared internationally, lies in its high-quality education and vibrant student culture. Finnish student culture and an openly welcoming society are significant factors for many international students when choosing where to study. A strong student community is the most important aspect of supporting integration and a key factor for staying in Finland. The student community forms networks that support employment and general well-being.
Finland must be a genuinely equal country for studying for all international students. The vision should aim to abolish tuition fees for students from outside the EU and EEA. Degree programmes must be free for all persons studying for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, regardless of nationality. In addition, the vision should more strongly turn its gaze to Finland’s structural problems in order to eradicate racism and discrimination within the labour market and society in general.
Bold renewal builds future skills: strengthening specialisation and cooperation between higher education institutions
The vision should reflect the societal significance and value produced by creative industries. The societal significance of education and science is not only the production of economic benefits and growth. The vision lacks a broader cultural and educational perspective on education.
In the reform of the higher education system, it must be ensured that the tasks of universities and universities of applied sciences are clearly defined. The same applies to the development of higher education corporation groups. The effects of higher education corporate groups on the dual model must be carefully evaluated, and the development of corporate groups should not be used as a pretext for dismantling, for example, the regulation related to the educational responsibilities within the dual model. In addition, it must be ensured that the position and operating conditions of higher education institutions that are not part of groups are maintained.
Towards growth: diversifying higher education and research funding
We welcome the critical review of the higher education funding model in the vision. The current funding model places too much emphasis on the competition between higher education institutions. The focus on attained degrees in the funding model causes several problems both within higher education institutions and in the comparison between them. The same applies to the use of target schedule for completing a degree as a funding criterion. For example, a more strongly credit-based funding model would shift the focus from degrees and the time spent completing them onto education itself.
Everyone must have access to free degree programmes and higher education in the future as well, and the cost should not be increased neither directly (e.g., tuition fees, fees for a second degree) nor indirectly (e.g., fee-based degrees attained at the Open University). The funding gap of universities should not be filled by increasing the financial burden on students.
Approved in a meeting of the Executive Board of the Student Union of Tampere University on 9 April 2026.
More Information:
Ville Jäppinen, Specialist in Educational Affairs and International Affairs
ville.jappinen@trey.fi, +35850 361 2849