Free education is one of the most important promises made by Finnish society. It is a promise that a student’s background or family wealth will not determine their educational path. This principle must also be upheld when adjustment measures are needed in the public economy. Free education is not just an expenditure – it is a value choice regarding the kind of Finland we want to live in.

In Finland, education has traditionally been seen as an investment in the future of the society. Free education removes a significant threshold to competence development and gives everyone the opportunity to pursue their dreams. It does not guarantee equality on its own, but it removes one significant obstacle.

Even a small fee is a fee

The question of paid education is not being discussed as a major change of direction, as this would likely spark a broader societal debate. Instead, fees are being presented as limited reforms, moderate fees or new opportunities for those who can afford to pay. A single fee may seem small, but it is huge in terms of principle. Even a small fee is a fee.

Introducing fees for education is not just a matter of an individual student’s finances. It is about how educational opportunities are allocated. Fees are a threshold, especially for those with low income, and may prevent those people from applying for studies. They can also affect whether a person is prepared to take the risk of applying to study and whether they consider studying financially possible. Socio-economic background already plays too large a role in educational choices, and a weakened income situation makes studying difficult. No new financial barriers should be built on the path to education.

Paid education is already on the way. In 2024, the maximum fee for open higher education increased from EUR 15 to EUR 45 per credit. The Government is now also preparing the possibility of completing entire higher education degrees in the form of paid open higher education. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance policy outlook proposes expanding the funding base for higher education institutions by adopting tuition fees for degree students completing a second degree at the same level. This is not just a distant threat, but a step towards paid education that has already been taken.

A look at international development is cause to take the risk of expanding tuition fees seriously. When tuition fees were introduced in England in 1998, the maximum amount was GBP 1,000 per year. The maximum increased to GBP 3,000 in 2006 and to GBP 9,000 in 2012. Tuition fees have continued to increase since then. The maximum amount for the 2025-2026 academic year is GBP 9,535 per year. The increases have led to a decline in the popularity of universities.

This is the essence of the gateway hypothesis: after making one exception, it becomes easier to justify the next one and the exception eventually becomes the new normal. It initially applies to a certain group of students or form of education. Then it becomes possible to justify fees by, for example, a difficult financial situation, new funding needs or equality in relation to students who already pay fees. Of course, this development is not inevitable – but the possibility should not be ignored either. It is important to assess the direction and consequences of introducing tuition fees before making the changes.

Education fees are not a solution to public economy problems

The argument for tuition fees is often made in situations where the public economy is under strain and more resources are needed for education. It is easy to understand the need to seek solutions for funding higher education institutions, but fees are never a neutral way of collecting money. They represent a choice of who should bear the costs of education. The question is whether to fund education jointly so that it remains accessible to everyone or pass the cost on to the individual.

Free education makes every person’s abilities available to society. Ensuring that the fear of debt does not prevent people from applying for education will strengthen the productivity and competitiveness of the entire country. Free education is not just a public expenditure – it is an investment in Finland’s future growth and well-being.

When striving for a higher level of education and stronger competence, we cannot simultaneously build a system in which the ability to pay increasingly affects the choice of educational path. Finland’s future cannot be based on a system in which it is easier to get into education if you can pay for it. We must hold on to the idea that opportunities for competence development are open to everyone who has the ability and the desire.

Let’s stand up for free education before the exception becomes the rule

Free education will not remain free on its own. It can only be preserved if we are prepared to defend it even when an individual fee seems small and the exception appears justified. This is why decision-makers need to ask themselves three questions when considering any reform that increases the cost of education: who benefits from the change, who does it create an obstacle for, and what precedent does it set?

Finland has to strengthen free education, not dismantle it one piece at a time. Raising the level of higher education requires long-term public funding, a sufficient number of study places and equal opportunities to study.

Free education is a promise that a person’s future will not be determined by the thickness of their wallet. Free education must not become a privilege that was available to previous generations.

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