Background
We retaining the single fee figure on the about tab of the degree (programme) page. Below is a summary of what needs to happen. We have talked to Stephanie Hunter but after initially thinking the answer was simple she now realises it isn't something that she can give us approval on in isolation.
How to calculate fees
Tuition
There are different rates depending on Faculty and School - this is a set rate per point. The figures can be found on the existing domestic fees page. http://www.victoria.ac.nz/study/student-finance/fees/domestic
On a simple level this this should be:
- What faculty or school does the degree belong to? Find the relevant per point fee.
- For all undergraduate degrees we are going to assume the first year is 120 points (this was approved by Stephanie Hunter in Student Finance)
However, it isn't this simple as some degrees contain subjects charged at multiple subject relates which means we don't get a tidy single figure.
For most degrees students will choose courses from a variety of subject areas so these figures won't be accurate for anyone.
Stephanie Hunter isn't comfortable making this decision in isolation so we need to set up a meeting with Kathie Rabel, Pam Thorburn and Stephanie Hunter.
Levies
There are two levies - Student Services Levy and Student Assistance Levy.
These are usually displayed to students at the same times as fees are shown as every student needs to pay them. The amount is consistent for all on campus students but there is a reduce rate for distance students - there are very few UG distance courses so we are hoping we can ignore this exception.
What we need an answer on
How do we display figures
Options
- One figure which includes the levies
- One figure which is tuition only
- Two figures - tuition and a combined levies figure
What do we do when the cost of a degree is a range?
Options
- One figure from the middle of the range.
- Two figures showing the minimum and maximum?
- A list of all the figures with the related subjects next to them? - not really accurate as their courses will be chosen across the range of subjects.
Can we round figures?
As these are estimates it would look more like an estimate if it was rounded rather than defined to the last cent. TEC may not be happy with rounding as it could either seem deceptive or if we round up push our figures beyond the limits they set for us.
Outcome
Jane Young (Unlicensed) met with Pam Thorburn (SAS), Leon Bakker (PAMI), Kathie Rabel (PAMI) and Stephanie Hunter (SAS, Finance) to discuss including fees.
In general:
- they are supportive of giving students and idea of fees
- calculating these isn't simple so they don't want to devise a formula and approach until they know if the Key Information Summary is going ahead which includes a fees figure.
- If KIS doesn't go ahead we will revisit including a fees figure.
- The KIS figure is based on an historical average figure.
- We wouldn't include both the KiS figure and our own general figure.
- SAS are going to look into the possibility of improving the Fees Calculator as it would give musch more accurate estimates. Improvements:
- make it more user friendly
- include cost of living - similar to what international do.
- We will still include international fees based on the figures already calculated for this.
Action items
- Jane Young (Unlicensed) to set up a meeting about fees with SAS and PAMI.