Students Protest Proposed Tuition Fee Increases

Students across Switzerland are preparing for widespread protests against proposed tuition fee hikes. The federal government's plan, part of a 2027 austerity package, suggests doubling fees for Swiss students and quadrupling them for international students. This move aims to offset annual savings of 460 million Swiss francs in education, research, and innovation, but faces strong opposition from student organizations and universities.

Student Mobilization Against Higher Costs

Students at the University of Bern recently gathered to prepare for a demonstration. They painted signs with slogans such as "Studying must not be a luxury." These preparations are for a major protest scheduled for October 1st in front of the Federal Palace.

The core issue is the potential increase in semester fees. The Federal Council's 2027 savings package seeks to reduce spending by 460 million francs each year across education, research, and innovation. To cover this gap, the government suggests raising tuition fees. For Swiss students, fees could double. For international students, they could increase fourfold. The final decision on the exact fee amounts rests with individual cantons.

Student associations across various university cities have called for these protests. Following local demonstrations, a petition titled "Studying must remain affordable – now" will be presented at the Federal Square. Organizers report collecting 35,000 signatures for the petition.

Concerns Over Equal Opportunity

The student body of the University of Bern (SUB) is actively involved in the protest movement. Sandro Arnet, a SUB board member, distributed flyers at Uni Tobler. He emphasized that "education is a public responsibility." Arnet believes that such significant fee increases would prevent many students from pursuing higher education.

"125 francs more per month makes a big difference for many," stated Sandro Arnet, highlighting the financial strain on students.

Arnet, 22, argued that increasing barriers to education is counterproductive, especially given current shortages in skilled professions like teaching and medicine. He specifically noted that children from lower-middle-class families, who often do not qualify for scholarships, would be hit hardest by the fee hikes.

Student Life and Financial Realities

During a lunch break at Uni Tobler, students Joel (24), Vanja (27), and Leila (30), all master's history students, discussed the proposed changes. They preferred to be quoted by their first names. "Making tertiary education even more exclusive and elitist is very problematic," Vanja said.

Joel added, "If the fees had been twice as high at the start of my studies, I would probably have pursued an apprenticeship after graduation." This shows how higher costs could steer potential students away from university education.

All three students rely on part-time jobs to support themselves. Vanja and Joel also receive some parental support for expenses like health insurance and public transport passes. Vanja noted, "I can still live at home, which is a privilege not everyone has."

Leila, who completed a vocational apprenticeship before university, finances her entire living cost independently. "At times, I had three jobs, working between 50 to 70 percent," she explained. She manages with about 2,300 francs per month, but her heavy workload has extended her study duration by one to two years. She, Vanja, and Joel do not receive scholarships, either because their parents earn too much or because they are pursuing a second degree.

The stereotype of lazy students is false, according to Leila. Most of her peers work alongside their studies. This reality is supported by data from the Federal Statistical Office, which shows that 72 percent of students work to fund their education.

Universities Oppose Fee Increases

Universities themselves are against the proposed tuition fee increases. Institutions in Zurich, Basel, and Bern share similar concerns. A primary worry is the threat to equal opportunities. Brigit Bucher, a spokesperson for the University of Bern, stated that "children of academics are already much more likely to attend university than children without academic role models in the family."

Universities also point out that tuition fees represent a small portion of their overall income. At most institutions, fees account for a low single-digit percentage. At the University of Bern, for example, fees make up only about 2 percent of total revenue.

A fourfold increase for international students is also met with disapproval. Universities fear this would create a competitive disadvantage for Switzerland. Bern canton has already seen pressure at the cantonal level. In December, the Grand Council approved a 100-franc increase per semester for domestic students and a threefold increase for international students. However, the implementation of these increases remains uncertain. A newly negotiated agreement package with the EU requires that EU students receive the same treatment as Swiss students.

Government's Rationale and Counterarguments

The Federal Council argues that those who directly benefit from a university education should contribute more to its cost. This is part of a broader push for greater cost transparency. The government maintains that public funding will still be the dominant source of university financing.

Hans Jörg Rüegsegger, a Bernese SVP National Councilor and member of the Commission for Science, Education and Culture, supports the proposed increases. He believes the adjustments to the current modest tuition fees are appropriate and justifiable. Rüegsegger compared Swiss fees to those in other countries, suggesting the measure is reasonable. He also cited significant investments in students as a reason for greater student contribution.

However, students painting posters at Uni Tobler strongly disagree. While elite universities in Anglo-Saxon countries may have higher fees, Sandro Arnet reiterated, "For us, studying should not be a luxury." They fear that the burden of combining studies with demanding part-time jobs will only increase.