Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan said Council made the decision after consultation with the University community. “Members of Council are aware of the impact tuition fees have on today’s students, but we must also ensure that we are adequately resourced to continue to offer our students the quality education they deserve.
“Such decisions are never easy and I would like to thank the students who took part in discussions with Council throughout the process. Ultimately the decision to raise the fees is to ensure we can continue to provide all students the environment they needed to thrive—one that includes a quality educational experience, fit-for purpose facilities and support.”
Sir Neville said Victoria’s fees were lower than other universities in a number of key areas. “It is already almost $500 a year less expensive to study humanities and social sciences or education at undergraduate level at Victoria than it is at a number of other institutions. Students studying arts and humanities at Victoria can be assured of a world-class experience as demonstrated by our 59th in the world place in the recent QS World University Rankings. This is further proof Victoria is efficient with its resources and delivers an incredible student experience—something we are proud of and committed to continuing.”
Council also voted to increase the Student Services Levy by two percent in 2016. The levy helps meets the extensive range of services available to students at Victoria, including careers guidance, pastoral care, financial support and advice and sport, recreation and cultural activities. This level of increase in the Levy was the result of a recommendation by a committee jointly run by Victoria staff and students.
After reviewing market demand and factors such as the New Zealand dollar, Council had previously voted to increase tuition fees for international student programmes by between two and seven percent next year. International students pay full tuition fees while domestic student fees are subsidised by a Government grant.
How fees are set
Tuition fees: The Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, with advice from a number of sources including Victoria’s finance staff and the University’s Senior Leadership Team, makes a recommendation regarding University fees for the coming academic year. This recommendation is considered by the University Finance Committee on which a student representative sits. The Finance Committee then submits its recommendation to the University Council which makes the final decision.
Student Services Levy: A committee jointly chaired by a Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) and University representative reviewed the Students Services Levy in consultation with the wider student body. That committee then made its recommendation to University management that the levy be increased by two percent.