Finland considers time limits on college

[United Press International]

HELSINKI, Finland, May 6 (UPI) -- Finland is considering
limiting the duration of university studies, simplifying admission
to universities and making student loans partly tax deductible.
Helsingin Sanomat reported Thursday the proposed changes
would affect Finnish students who begin their studies in the autumn
term of 2005.
The proposal would call for students who begin their studies
in the 2005 - 2006 academic year and after would be expected to
finish their degree no later than two years after an accepted normal
completion time.
For master's degrees, the average time for completion is
five years, and students would be given an addition two years of
"structural flexibility."
Students could also put studies on hold for up to two years
and not have it counted against the maximum completion time. More
extensions wold be allowed for maternity or paternity leave,
military service, or civic activities.