Swedish Government Faces Criticism Over Funding Allocation for New Master’s Programs

The Swedish government has allocated 56 million kronor annually to three universities—Handelshögskolan, Stockholm University, and Göteborgs universitet—to establish new master's programs in public administration. Handelshögskolan received the largest share of 35 million kronor for a two-year Master in Public Policy enrolling 100 students from 2027. Stockholm University was allocated 18 million kronor for a program enrolling 120 students starting in 2026, and Göteborgs universitet received 6 million kronor for a one-year program with 30 students.

This funding strategy marks a significant shift in control from the universities to the government, sparking criticism over transparency and fairness. Göran Sundström, a professor at Stockholm University, described it as "direct government control over education" risking trust in the system. Jacob Adamowicz of the SULF union highlighted that traditionally, decisions on new programs and funding are internally handled by universities based on enrollment and success rates.

Concerns have also been raised about potential favoritism towards Handelshögskolan, which is noted to have engaged in lobbying, prompting questions about the government's selection process and its influence on educational quality. The new programs aim to prepare students for demanding admission processes to EU institutions, aligning with government objectives but stirring debate over how funding is allocated.

The controversy underscores tensions between government oversight and university autonomy in Sweden's higher education funding landscape.