Tuition fees now calculated differently

Parents and students will notice that there is an additional entry on the tuition accounts. (See the last entry on the reverse side of the account.) This is a qualification programme tariff. This tariff had to be introduced because a new formula is now used to calculate tuition fees for undergraduate and honours qualifications. It should not be seen as an increase in tuition fees.

The NWU recently aligned its undergraduate qualifications between the three campuses (Mafikeng, Potchefstroom and Vaal Triangle). Consequently, the number of modules and credits of some qualifications has changed. As tuition fees are calculated based on the number of modules and credits, these also changed.

In practice, this might mean an increase in tuition fees of a particular qualification on first-year level, no change on second-year level and a decrease on third-year level. In many instances, the increase in tuition fees is lower than the normal annual inflation-linked increase, but there are also instances where the increase is higher.

Some students repeat modules and, as a result, end up exceeding the minimum prescribed study period and therefore registering for only a few courses in the last (extra) year(s) of their studies. According to the new formula, these students will have to pay for the module(s) in question plus the total qualification programme tariff for that year. However, Management has decided to waive the qualification programme tariff for these students who exceed the minimum study period but who complete their degrees this year. This will apply for 2010 only. The March 2010 student accounts will be amended accordingly.

The qualification programme tariff differs from qualification to qualification, depending on factors such as the number of modules and credits of a qualification and the method of teaching. (Some students only attend lectures, while others do practical lab work.)

Thank you very much for your understanding in this regard. Please be assured that it was done in the interest of ongoing quality improvement at the NWU. We can also assure you that, with regard to the quality and cost of tuition, the NWU still offers the best value for money compared to all other South African universities.

Prof Johan Rost
Executive Director: Finance and Facilities
8 March 2010