Open universities in Finland consider tripling course fees as government raises maximum rates

Open universities in Finland could have nearly tripled their course fees this autumn, as the government raised the maximum fee for open higher education from €15 to €45 per credit point earlier in the spring. However, no institution has yet chosen to implement these increases. The highest course fees are at Tampere University, where advanced studies cost €30 per credit. Most open universities have kept fees capped at €15.

An increasing number of students are entering higher education through the paid open pathway, completing courses in open universities to qualify for degree programs without entrance exams. The credit requirements for admission into degree programs typically range from 30 to 60 credits. Under previous fee structures, gaining access to higher education would have cost between €450 and €900, but now the law permits costs to rise as high as €2,700.

Helsinki University plans to increase course prices this coming May to three tiers: €15, €30, and €45 per credit. These higher fees better reflect the costs associated with delivering educational programs, according to Jenni Krapu, a development manager at the university. She notes that more expensive courses may include laboratory or fieldwork sessions, which accommodate smaller class sizes. The specific prices and the extent of the increases are yet to be finalized, although basic study fees will remain at €15.

Institutions had opposed fee hikes, as the government aimed to balance the budget by reducing state funding for universities by a total of €35 million starting in 2028 while raising fees. The rectors’ councils of universities and universities of applied sciences expressed concern that increased costs could reduce student enrollment and limit access to higher education.