Fees

All students pay tuition fees and compulsory levies. Calculate how much your courses will cost and learn about other compulsory fees at the University.

When to pay your fees

Your enrolment is confirmed—and you are liable for (required to pay) your fees—once you’ve signed and returned one of:

  • an Enrolment Agreement
  • a Change of Course form
  • a document formally agreeing that you accepted an offer of a place on a course.

Refunds

If you withdraw from your course(s) before the applicable course change deadline, you will be eligible to apply for a refund.

Find out more about refunds on the course additions and withdrawals page

An administration charge may apply.

Domestic fees

Find out how much you’ll pay in tuition fees if you’re a domestic student (New Zealand citizens and permanent residents).

Domestic student fees

International fees

Find out how much you’ll pay in tuition fees if you’re an international student.

International student fees

Fees-free tertiary study

If you are a first-time tertiary student, or if your first tertiary education was covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF), you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study. You may also be eligible if your previous tertiary study was a half year or less.

Find out more about studying fees-free

Other costs and levies

Student Services Levy

This compulsory levy funds services for students that are not covered by tuition fees. The services it funds include counselling, health services, financial advice, career guidance, student advocacy, student publications, and student representation.

Find out more about the Student Services Levy.

From 2024, the Student Services Levy will be called the Student Services Fee.

Student Assistance Levy

In 2023, the Student Assistance Levy is $28 (GST included) for all students. This levy is used to assist students suffering exceptional financial hardship.

From 2024, the Student Assistance Levy will be called the Student Hardship Fee. In 2024, the Student Hardship Fee will be $30 (GST included).

Additional costs

Some courses have additional costs for items such as study materials, equipment, or field trips. These additional costs are typically described on the course outline webpage—use the course finder to look up individual courses.

Administrative charges

The University may charge you a fee to cover the cost of administrative tasks such as replacing your student ID card or processing a late payment.

The most common charges are listed in the table below. You can find a full list of administrative costs in Appendix D of the University’s Fees Policy.

Administration fees Cost (including GST)
Replacement Student ID card $21.00
Refund Charge (for monies totalling between $1,000–$5,000 during an academic year) per refund—not applicable for refunds to StudyLink $60.00
Refund Charge (for monies totalling over $5,000 during an academic year) per refund—not applicable for refunds to StudyLink $100.00
English Proficiency Programme withdrawal administration fee $200.00
International student refund of pre-paid tuition fees admin charge $1,000.00
International Transferring Student fee $512.00
Late Payment Penalty $154.00
Late Application Fee $123.00
Administration fee for special examination arrangements, for examinations sat at Victoria University of Wellington at other than the scheduled time, or sat at a location away from Victoria University of Wellington (per Course). Students will also be liable for courier costs and all costs that may be charged by the institution where the examination is held. $123.00

Get help

Talk to the Student Finance team

Phone: 0800 04 04 04
Email: student-finance@vuw.ac.nz