Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan said the Council made the decision after consultation with the University community. There was also an information session for students hosted by Victoria’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Grant Guilford, and the Victoria University of Wellington Students Association (VUWSA).
“As a Council, we understand the impact tuition fees have on students. However, it is also our job to ensure that we are adequately resourced to continue to offer our students the quality education they deserve and to deliver on Victoria’s commitment to providing a student experience that is second to none,” says Sir Neville.
“Such decisions are never easy and I would like to thank the students who took part in discussions with Council throughout the process.
“I would also like to emphasise that the decision to raise student fees is to ensure we provide an environment in which our students thrive. This includes a quality educational experience, modern facilities and a comprehensive network of student support services.”
Victoria Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says while the additional income from the two percent fee increase in 2018 will be welcome, it will not fill the gap between Victoria University’s costs and its revenue.
In 2018, the amount that student fee revenues will contribute to total costs will decline by about one percent as staff and depreciation costs are rising faster than income from fees. Professor Guilford says the University must continuously invest in its people and infrastructure to improve quality standards and meet the goal of providing an outstanding student experience.
Sir Neville said Victoria’s fees for most subjects were comparable with other universities. “The exception is the humanities and social sciences, where fees at Victoria are around nine percent lower than at the most expensive institution in New Zealand.
“Students studying arts and humanities at Victoria have the added advantage of knowing they are receiving a world-class experience, with Victoria number one in New Zealand for arts and humanities in the latest Times Higher Education subject rankings.”
Victoria’s Council also voted to increase the Student Services Levy in 2018 by approximately 3.5 percent. 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 increase in the Levy is in line with a recommendation from a committee jointly run by Victoria staff and students.
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’s Finance Committee, which includes a student member. 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 member from Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) and from the University reviews the Student Services Levy in consultation with the wider student body. That committee then makes a recommendation to University management about any Levy increase.