Universities warn funding will not meet rising student demand

Estonian universities say new state funding will not cover the cost of educating the growing number of young people seeking places, ERR reports. They warn that many applicants could be turned away.

The government plans to provide higher education institutions with about 13 million euros from the state budget in each of the next four years to expand study places in fields facing the greatest labour shortages. At the same time, the planned growth in their operating support will be reduced by about 9 million euros.

Aune Valk, vice-rector for academic affairs at the University of Tartu, said the 13 million euros was “an illusion” because the actual additional funding amounted to just over 3 million euros. She said the university could increase student numbers in 2027, but funding would not be sufficient in subsequent years. Students study for three to six years, depending on their programme, she noted.

The Ministry of Education and Research said the allocation takes account of study durations, including six years for medical students. Its senior adviser for higher education, Margus Haidak, said cuts to operating support were unavoidable and that the sector had to share the burden with the rest of society.

The government aims for nearly half of adults aged 25 to 34 to have higher education by 2035. Tiit Land, rector of Tallinn University of Technology, said the target was not realistic under the current funding model. He said the model should be reviewed and that, from the university’s perspective, tuition fees could be considered for master’s programmes. The allocation of funding between institutions and fields of study is due to be decided in November, with priority given to areas facing the greatest workforce shortages.