11.02.2025
The Swiss Student Union (VSS) is firmly opposed to the planned cuts in education and the doubling of tuition fees. The union supports the criticism expressed at the press conference on February 11, 2025, by swissuniversities, the ETH Board, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss Academies, and innosuisse. Cutting education means cutting the future for everyone!
The massive increase in tuition fees is a direct attack on equal opportunities. Instead of performance and talent, financial resources will determine who can afford to study in the future. This threatens a system change that will reduce social mobility, systematically disadvantage students from lower-income families, and weaken Switzerland’s position as a center of education in the long term.
- The increase in tuition fees jeopardizes equal opportunities in the Swiss education system
A strong, publicly funded higher education system ensures innovation and competitiveness. Higher tuition fees prolong the duration of studies, increase the financial burden on universities, and weaken Switzerland as a business location.
- The scholarship system is inadequate.
Without additional investment and an expansion of the scholarship system, equal opportunities cannot be guaranteed.
- The cuts jeopardize Switzerland’s position as a center of innovation and business.
Switzerland stands for excellent education and research. A lack of investment jeopardizes this leading position and weakens innovation and the economy.
- Impending deterioration in the quality of teaching and research due to enforced cuts in services.
Rising student numbers require more investment to ensure the quality of education. Otherwise, there is a risk of long-term damage to innovation and competitiveness.
- Higher tuition fees, more part-time jobs, longer studies
Rising costs increase the pressure to work more, which reduces learning time and prolongs the duration of studies. Instead of creating additional hurdles, access to education should remain fair and equitable.
- For every dollar invested in education, Switzerland receives up to five dollars in return.
Austerity measures reduce economic returns in the long term and weaken Switzerland’s financial position.
The VSS demands: Strengthen education for all instead of cutting it back!
The VSS clearly rejects the planned measures to increase tuition fees. By doubling tuition fees, the Federal Council is calling into question equal opportunities in Switzerland and Switzerland’s international reputation as a center of education. The VSS calls on the federal government to invest in strong, sustainable education for all—instead of weakening it with short-term cost-cutting measures. Studying should not be a luxury!
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information:
Julia Bogdan
Co-Präsidentin
+41 78 812 99 98
E-Mail: julia.bogdan[at]vss-unes.ch
Sophie Wang
Co-Präsidentin
+41 79 159 84 11
E-Mail: sophie.wang[at]vss-unes.ch
