Finland's Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen (Cen) has said that the Ministry of Education and Culture will introduce an additional 2,300 university study places for next year.

Finland's universities will be allotted the majority of the new places-just under 1,500-while universities of applied sciences will offer over 800 additional spots for students.

According to the ministry, the primary aim of increasing the number of seats is to improve general competence and education levels and to boost recruitment in sectors that are facing staff shortages.

In universities, most of the new capacity will be available in the fields of technology, education, social sciences, data processing and telecommunications, while universities of applied sciences will have more places for those looking to study health and wellbeing and STEM subjects.

"This will improve competitiveness and regional policy and will also ensure more balanced regional development," Kurvinen stated at a press conference on Monday.

According to Kurvinen, educational institutions have already added about 10,000 more study places during this government's time in office.

The STEM and healthcare fields have been allocated the highest number of new spots, with nearly 400 each.

In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat in November, Kurvinen stated that he wanted to shift the focus from a centralised approach to higher education towards one that improves accessibility.

He reiterated his intentions at Monday's press conference.

"This change in direction towards more inclusive and regionally-focused higher education will continue next year. Previous fields of education are now being broadened and strengthened. I will make decisions regarding new educational programmes, faculties and responsibilities next year," he said.

Unions, namely, the Confederation of Finnish Industries and the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff, as well as the boards of several educational institutions in Finland reportedly cite the new policies as cause for concern.

In a joint statement, representatives from multiple university boards revealed they believe fragmenting higher education into units would compromise its quality.