In a blow to Swedish internationalisation, a survey has revealed that one in three international students accepted at Swedish universities did not take up the places because they thought living costs were too high. Some universities say that grants must be extended to cover housing. A survey has revealed that one in three international students accepted at Swedish universities this year did not take the places because they thought living costs were too high.
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (HSV) survey, which charts the experiences of non-European Economic Area (EEA) students at 48 Swedish higher education institutions, found that only 29% of 4,600 fee-eligible students accepted for a study place actually registered on their courses. This compares with 79% of Swedish students.
"What is now needed are more grants that do not only cover tuition fees but also living costs, or at least some of the living costs," Kåre Bremer, rector of Stockholm University, said in his blog.
The news is a further blow to Swedish internationalisation after
the introduction of tuition fees for non-EEA students this year prompted a 60% fall in their intake – from 8,000 in 2009-10 (about 6% of tertiary enrolments) to 1,400. The total number of students from outside Sweden fell 29% between 2010 and 2011, from 19,400 to 13,800 according to HSV.
While the Swedish government has promised to increase the number of fee scholarships next year, some universities say that grants must be extended to cover housing in order to woo students back.
The survey found that of the 1,350 non-EAA students starting their studies this autumn, 40% were offered grants from Sweden covering all or part of the fee. However, 30% (250 students) of them declined their offer of a place, and a further 100 did not start their courses, probably due to problems with immigration.
Since fees have been introduced, universities have acknowledged the need to step up their marketing efforts. Two-thirds of respondents said that they had worked to improve their service towards foreign students in general this year. Others have increased the number of international office staff focussing on non-EEA recruitment.
A quality of life index by International Living magazine in 2010 suggested that Sweden had the highest cost of living in the world. However,
Study in Sweden estimates average student living costs to be around €750 euros per month (though more in Stockholm). This compares to €770-€1000 in Germany, €1150 euro in Norway and €1,200 in the UK.
A survey has revealed that one in three international students accepted at Swedish universities this year did not take the places because they thought living costs were too high.
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (HSV) survey, which charts the experiences of non-European Economic Area (EEA) students at 48 Swedish higher education institutions, found that only 29% of 4,600 fee-eligible students accepted for a study place actually registered on their courses. This compares with 79% of Swedish students.
“What is now needed are more grants that do not only cover tuition fees but also living costs, or at least some of the living costs,” Kåre Bremer, rector of Stockholm University, said in his blog.
The news is a further blow to Swedish internationalisation after the introduction of tuition fees for non-EEA students this year prompted a 60% fall in their intake – from 8,000 in 2009-10 (about 6% of tertiary enrolments) to 1,400. The total number of students from outside Sweden fell 29% between 2010 and 2011, from 19,400 to 13,800 according to HSV.
While the Swedish government has promised to increase the number of fee scholarships next year, some universities say that grants must be extended to cover housing in order to woo students back.
The survey found that of the 1,350 non-EAA students starting their studies this autumn, 40% were offered grants from Sweden covering all or part of the fee. However, 30% (250 students) of them declined their offer of a place, and a further 100 did not start their courses, probably due to problems with immigration.
Since fees have been introduced, universities have acknowledged the need to step up their marketing efforts. Two-thirds of respondents said that they had worked to improve their service towards foreign students in general this year. Others have increased the number of international office staff focussing on non-EEA recruitment.
A quality of life index by International Living magazine in 2010 suggested that Sweden had the highest cost of living in the world. However, Study in Sweden estimates average student living costs to be around €750 euros per month (though more in Stockholm). This compares to €770-€1000 in Germany, €1150 euro in Norway and €1,200 in the UK.
