Levels of student tuition fees, grants and loans continue to highlight great differences across Europe, according to a report published Friday by the European Commission`s Eurydice network.
The report, National student fee and support systems in European Higher Education 2014/2015, highlights a great variation in the number of students paying fees in publicly funded higher education institutions.
A significant number of countries – Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Malta, Finland, Sweden, UK (Scotland), Norway and Turkey– do not charge any tuition fees. At the other end of the scale, all bachelor students pay fees in nine countries (Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, United Kingdom (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), Iceland, Liechtenstein).
In most European countries only a minority of students receive grant support. In nine countries, all (Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Finland) or a majority of students (Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom (Scotland), Sweden, Norway) receive grants. Iceland is the only country which offers no public grant system, although this is currently under debate.
The report, covering 33 European countries, reveals that fee systems have remained relatively stable across the continent, despite some notable exceptions. Germany is the only country to recently abolish tuition fees, despite introducing them only in 2007.
The highest tuition fees in Europe are in the UK (England), following a major overhaul of its higher education system in 2012. The fees are not paid immediately, but only after graduation when students` earnings exceed a defined threshold – a unique model in Europe. Relatively high fees are paid up front by students in Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Netherlands and Slovenia.
“Europe desperately needs to improve access to higher education for our young people. Not only does this greatly improve their chances of getting a good job, but it also enhances our economies, which are in need of the innovation and creativity that talented graduates bring,” said Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
