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Year-on-year, 2013 saw a ten percent decrease in applications to Bachelor’s studies. Education ministry thinks the trend will continue: according to its higher education department head Helen Põllo, five to ten percent less applications will be filed this fall.
Pursuant to population pyramid, last year’s entrance applications level will only be restored after a decade as those born in 2005 head for universities. The 2012 level will only be reached at the end of 2020ies, probably.
Even so, no extra admittances are not in the pipeline. At the moment, the universities are planning to open up all available curricula.
Meanwhile, insufficient amount of students were enrolled, last year, at Tallinn University Haapsalu College for class teacher’s curriculum; therefore, the students were merged with the Tallinn study group. Such scenarios cannot be excluded this year as well.
According to Tallinn University of Technology (TTÜ) Vice Rector Jakob Kübarsepp, they’ll settle the extra admissions issue in August. As things stand, it cannot be excluded.
Mr Kübarsepp said most curricula will still be filled. For him, the largest problems loom with paid curricula in the English language.
Quality rules supreme
According to TTÜ admissions head Anne Urbla, the math-based system leaves little space for error.
It used to be otherwise. For example, when people flunked in math, they could compensate by being strong in physics – and vice versa. Thereby, TTÜ allowed entrees to improve their math exam results.
This year, result will be known on July 2nd.
As confirmed by Eda Aitsen, admissions expert at University of Life Sciences, applications are thinning out both because the demographics – and the mathematics-based entrance system.
At University of Tartu, math is prerequisite with admissions into 16 curricula. As at yesterday, over half of these had spaces left. In economics, for instance, accepted applications match the number of spaces available. The same with informatics.
Many, however, apply for several curricula at various universities. Thus, economics and informatics may also come to see lack of students. For the obvious reason: when the rubber hits the road, every student-to-be must make his pick – just one out of the many.
With University of Tartu, it is noteworthy that this year, the threshold was raised by ten percent. While 60 points average used to be required, this year it’s 66 units. Therefore, a part of the candidates will miss out.
As underlined by University of Tartu Vice Rector Martin Hallik, quality beats quantity and that’s why the threshold was raised. According to him, it’s a bit premature to draw conclusions regarding admissions based on information system SAIS. He agreed, though, that the demographic situation is taking its toll.
Since 2013, universities are under no obligation to meet educational state orders. At the same time, universities are financed based on numbers of graduates. Among other things, while financing the universities, study results and competitiveness of graduates on labour market are taken into account. Thus – with money in view, thresholds cannot be lowered.
Ms Põllo from education ministry noted that within the nation, the problem of multiple similar curricula still exists. As early, as in 2009, the demographic crisis was foreseen, and the topic underwent negotiations with universities.
Meanwhile, universities cannot be expected to close down curricula overnight. The question arises: with students already enrolled, what will they do once the curriculum is cut?
Also, the universities have worked hard at developing and implementing the curricula, making investments.
«Closing doors is a painful decision,» said Ms Põllo. According to her, in near future the axe will probably still hit several curricula. The reason being the deepening demographic crisis – and the excessive production of humanitarians by universities, these past years.
The ministry does not favour lowering the thresholds. According to Ms Põllo, a critical look is needed as to which specialists the society needs or not. The focus needs to be adjusted according to that principle of demand.
Teacher shortage forever
Lately, a lot has been said about the teachers getting older. Where the new generation should come from, no one knows.
At Tallinn University, there are 65 places for class teachers. By yesterday, applications stood at 43. With test still pending, we don’t know how many will qualify.
For teachers of humanities and realities, 29 applications have been sent for the 65 places, total. Here also, the tests are yet to come.
The trend’s the same with University of Tartu. With 27 young people wanting to be teachers of humanities, only four are applying for realities and two for natural science. The low interest among the youth towards becoming teachers is in opposition with needs of society. There’s a lack of young teachers, and the problem is set to deepen.