This article presents the outcome of the results of the YQMBS24V, YQMES24V, YINTES24 and YINTBS24 students’ MS00BP16-3020 Research and Development Methods course assignment about the quality issues in higher education in Finland. During the course, students formed statements about Quality in Higher Education, students had the freedom to follow their intuition while selecting the academic articles on Quality in Higher Education. After the statements were formed, the ex-TELI Master School Staff and the course students evaluated the statements with the help of eDelphi.

Students identified the following themes related to quality factors, which they considered to be important for HigherEd.

• Despite the diverse criteria used to measure quality in higher education, there is no uniform application across institutions, leading to varied interpretations. 
• Quality of higher education is multifaceted, encompassing academic excellence, continuous improvement, and a supportive environment.
• ​Quality in higher education encompasses opportunities for learning, career advancement, and personal development, ensuring student satisfaction and employer respect. 
• ​Institution’s capability to fulfil expectations and maintain pedagogical standards. 
• ​Quality in higher education is indicated by how well a school teaches and helps students. Teachers are the main ingredient of the success of quality education. 
• Degree of meeting the requirements and expectations of university stakeholders.
• ​Quality in higher education: In praise of the Nordic model. 

Shortly, out of the above themes, the Nordic model was seen as the most compelling by the students and the staff. The Nordic model means that most higher education institutions are more reliant on clout and prestige rather than the​ ​quality level of their educational programs. In fact, the cost of education in the US is on​ ​the rise and does not seem to decrease soon. This is a worrying trend as it makes accessibility​​ to higher education more and more limited as time goes on. In the article​ ​about the cost of US colleges, Goodkind (2023) explains that the rising cost is due to high​ ​cost of quality teaching, income inequality as the institutions are more attracted to the​ ​wealthiest families in the US, lessened focus on public education by the legislators and​ ​government officials, and more.

​​Nations all over the world should adopt the Nordic models in providing free education​ ​for the ever-increasing masses. In the article about attending university in Sweden, Tat (2021)​ ​explains that “Sweden puts a lot of emphasis on collaborative learning, whereas in the​ ​US, there is a lot of structured learning.” This model of higher education provides a​ ​better quality in higher education as the student is silently taught key social skills that​ ​also apply in the work environment. There is a significant amount of collaboration,​ ​group works, workshops and brainstorming in modern businesses. This is why it is​ ​important for these skills to be introduced in the higher education as well. Tat says it​ ​best when claiming, that “Practicing teamwork is important, especially across​ ​different cultures and helps develop problem solving. Group work helps simulate the​ ​real dynamics of an international workplace and develop problem solving.” ​ 

​​The cost of higher education does not have any effect on the quality of its education​ ​program. This result is highlighted in an article written by Kara Ronai (2015), where she​ ​states that free education certainly puts Finland, and therefore all Nordics, at an​ ​advantage in higher education. Many students have allegedly condescended to using​ ghost-writing ​services for example in Australia, which is in one reason due to the nations high​ ​tuition costs and the issue is particularly apparent in international students. She states​ ​that “The financial pressure weighs heavily on those involved in teaching and learning.​ ​For international students in particular, the high cost of tertiary education in Australia is​ ​a strong motivator to complete a degree as efficiently as possible and avoid accruing​ ​further costs by repeating failed subjects”. English proficiency checks are​ ​also a significant part of this issue as the problem with money in relation to high​ ​education costs become apparent (Ronai, 2015). Finland solves these challenges by​ ​having clear and set rules for what English proficiency levels are acceptable to be​ ​considered for the education programs. These may vary to an extent by universities​ ​but the standard is set quite high throughout the education. (Edunation, n.d.)​ 

​​In her study on elitism in higher education and inequality, Brezis (2018) notes that there is​ ​virtually non-existent inequality in the different higher education institutions in the​ ​Nordic countries. Nordic universities have policies in place that reduce elitism on​ ​different universities, which in turn reduces inequality. Promoting equality in the different​ ​higher education institutions is important for the accessibility and continuance for the​ ​higher education and ensures that students get the same level of education​ ​wherever they are enrolled in. 

As an outcome of the eDelphi survey, the following comments were given by the respondents about the Nordic Model

​​”I believe that the overall quality level in higher education is not at the best place it​ ​could be.”

”Universities abroad are relying on popularity and status rather than applying​ ​teaching methods that best meet the student requirements.”

”The Nordic model in higher​ ​education should be applied in more countries to ensure a more sustainable level and​ ​quality in higher education for the future​.” 

This post was edited by the course teachers, Heidi and Ulla.

Image created by Adobe Firefly.

Sources:

Brezis, E. S. (2018). Elitism in higher education and inequality: Why are the Nordic countries so special? Intereconomics, 53(4), 201–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10272-018-0750-7

Edunation. (n.d.). English language requirements. Edunation, Keystone Company. https://www.edunation.co/pathway-to-europe/how-to-apply/english-language-requirement/

Goodkind, N. (2023, July 16). Why college is getting more expensive. CNN Business. https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/16/investing/curious-consumer-college-cost

Ronai, K. (2015). The Cost of Higher Education: Lessons from the Australian Context for Finland. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-201505131840

Tat, G. (2021, Oct 19). 10 differences between American and Swedish universities. Medium. https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/10-differences-between-american-and-swedish-universities-672e411712f6

Further information of eDelphi: https://www.edelphi.org