Major investments in Sweden as a knowledge nation

"After a period of economic crisis, it feels very positive to be able to present an additional number of proposals that will strengthen Sweden as a knowledge nation. These are long-term investments - both for the individual and for society," says Minister for Higher Education and Research Tobias Krantz.

10 000 new places in higher education

The economic crisis has had a defining effect on the world for almost a year. The recession has coincided with large groups of young people leaving upper secondary school. The pressure of applications to higher education is therefore greater than it has been for many years. Basically, it is positive that people choose to educate themselves when there is a recession. Continuing professional development means that conditions for a rapid recovery of the economy are improved. If we are well educated, we will be better equipped when the economic situation turns around.

The Government is therefore proposing that higher education be temporarily expanded by 10 000 places in 2010 and 2011. Including financial support to students, the reform will cost around SEK 1 billion a year.

More financial support to Sweden's students

In the Budget Bill, the Government proposes raising financial support to students. From 1 January 2010, financial support to students will be raised by some SEK 430 a month - SEK 40 as a grant, and SEK 390 as a loan.
Financial support to students, like other support systems, is linked to the price base amount, which will be reduced at the beginning of next year for the first time for a number of years.

The Government's proposal for increased study loans and an adjustment of the study grant will mean that a student who has full financial support will have SEK 350 more to spend every month, despite the weak price trend.

From 1 January 2011, the income ceiling for students will also be raised by some SEK 30 000. The Government's proposal means that the income ceiling is expected to rise from the current SEK 107 000 to SEK 136 400 per calendar year for a full-time student.

Tuition fees for foreign students to be introduced from 2011

The Government proposes that foreign students wishing to study in Sweden should pay fees. The proposal means that foreign students (from countries outside the European Economic Area) will pay for their studies starting in the autumn term of 2011. The universities and higher education institutions themselves will decide how much to charge.

The introduction of fees will be combined with a grant system. The Government intends to present a special bill containing all the details later on in the autumn.

Improved quality in higher education

The Government wants to use the system for allocating resources to create improved quality in higher education. At present, universities and other higher education institutions receive government appropriations based on how many students they have and on how many students complete their courses. The Government wants this resource allocation system to be supplemented, with a part of it allocating resources according to evaluations of the quality of courses, and will submit such a proposal to the Riksdag during the autumn.

More places for medical training

There is a great need for doctors in Sweden. Expanding medical training is therefore important. This expansion must be made responsibly to ensure high standards of training.

In this year's Budget Bill, the Government proposes a further increase of 30 new entrant places in medical training in 2010. The expansion will involve 15 new entrant places for medical students at Linköping University and the same number at Uppsala University.

With the proposed increase, medical training will expand by a total of 264 new entrant places on an annual basis during the Government's term of office. This means that medical training will have expanded by 26 per cent during the same period.