Abstract
This study explores the factors behind policy developments in Sweden and Norway related to policy on tuition fees for non-EU students. As members of the Nordic model, Norway and Sweden have similar cultural and political backgrounds. The overall purpose of this study is to find out why Sweden has moved away from the traditional Nordic principle of free higher education, while Norway has not. In addition, the purpose is to explore the consequences of these policy developments. The comparative aspect of the study is to compare two countries within the same region and, with similar traditions and policy systems, in order to shed light on developments on tuition fee policies for non-EU students and contribute to the area of cost-sharing and tuition fee research. These aims have been addressed through a comparative analysis consisting of document analysis and interviews. The research findings suggest that the move towards introducing tuition fees in Sweden, and the proposal to influence tuition fees in Norway, have been heavily influences by the political landscape and international trends. Tuition fees in the Nordic countries problematize the principle of free education, which has traditionally been a cultural pillar for higher education policy. The countries in question seem torn between following international developments in cost-sharing of higher education, and preserving their political and cultural traditions in higher education policy. The findings show that both countries argued for tuition fees for non-EU students as they wanted higher quality and internationalization in higher education. Another aim was to spend public funds more strategically, especially in light of the rapidly growing number of non-EU applicants. Sweden introduced tuition fees, over a period of nearly ten years, however, reports show that the tuition fee system is more expensive than the tuition free system was. The proposal for introduction of tuition fees in Norway was withdrawn, and seemed hastier in its form than the Swedish proposal. At this point, it seems like Sweden will keep charging tuition fees for non-EU students, however, they will try to optimize the system. When it comes to Norway, it does not seem like tuition fees will be proposed any time in the near future. In this sense, the two countries will keep developing different policies in the area of cost-sharing and tuition fees in higher education.