Teething problems of market entry: The Swedish tuition fees dilemma

Abstract

From the autumn of 2008 Sweden is billed to introduce fees for non-EEA (European Economic Area) students. Two commissions set up by the Social Democratic government studied the question and the enabling legislation was issued in March 2006. Now, however, the Conservative coalition government shows no interest in giving the universities the executive directive on fees. More problematic is the confusion at the arena of implementation. Though a majority of universities supported the idea at the consultation stage, none of them is ready to implement the policy. Following up questionnaires and studies of commission reports and reactions by various interest groups, this writer conducted interviews on the issue towards the end of 2007 with Swedish vice-chancellors and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Education. Three revelations of the research are the impact of China's growing demands for qualified manpower, the pressure of the global education market and diminishing solidarity thinking.