Student unions: University community as a front against open university degrees!

The Finnish government has decided in its mid-term elections on 22–23 April 2025 to allow open universities to award degrees. This would be a huge upheaval for Finnish higher education and the end of free education as it currently stands. Finland's 13 student unions oppose the proposal and demand that the university community stand as a front against the reform.

Making it possible to complete a degree at an open university would in practice mean paying for degree education. Free education is one of the pillars of Finnish society, and undermining it increases social inequality. This should not be allowed under the guise of any prevailing economic situation.

The open university must not be used as a degree market. The proposal nullifies the great work that has been done in recent years to improve student admissions to universities. The role of the Open University as a complement to degree education and an alternative pathway for admission must be maintained, i.e. the Open University should not be granted the right to award degrees.

The introduction of a fee-based degree right would lead to two tiers of degrees that are valued differently. This would endanger educational equality and the provision of high-quality education in our universities. At the same time, universities would have to develop the Open University's teaching offering, and with diminishing resources this would be removed from undergraduate studies.

The reform would also bring with it vexing questions about the status of Open University students. For example, the representation of students in university decision-making, the right to social benefits during studies, and whether the same assessment criteria are applied to them as to those who have been granted the right to study through a joint application would become problematic. Student unions consider it unsustainable to have only obligations and no rights for students.

Student unions are well aware that the financial situation of universities is tight and that the government is also cutting basic funding at the same time. Free education is a key fundamental value that cannot be afforded even in this time of austerity. The university community must stand united behind free degree education now and in the future.

Signatories

Sakari Ropponen, Chair of the Board, Aalto University Student Union
Petra Pulli, Chair of the Board, University of Helsinki Student Union
Noora Saramäki, Chair of the Board, University of Eastern Finland Student Union
Venla Suosalo, Chair of the Board, University of Jyväskylä Student Union
Mariel Tähtivaara, Chair of the Board, University of Lapland Student Union
Katja Immonen, Chair of the Board, LUT University Student Union
Vilma Sippola, Chair of the Board, University of Oulu Student Union
Alma Portin, Chair of the Board, Swedish School of Economics Studentkår
Anna Kirvesniemi, Chair of the Board, University of the Arts Helsinki Student Union
Laura Heino, Chair of the Board, Tampere Student Union
Josefina Tuomala, Chair of the Board, Turku University Student Union
Jenni Hiltunen, Chair of the Board, Vaasa University Student Union
Emilia Melén, Chair of the Board, Åbo Akademis Studentkår

More information

Jenni Hiltunen
Chair of the Board
jenni.hiltunen@vyy.fi
044 324 8965 (calls only)
 

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