The Student Services Levy (SSL) is a compulsory fee charged in addition to your tuition fees and is solely used for the benefit of students. It supports many of the services on campus for students, from wellbeing services like the Health Centre and counselling, to events and clubs run by the UCSA.
Your SSL charge helps us deliver all kinds of support services you can access as a UC student. These services include:
UC students are surveyed annually to assess priorities and establish which services should be continued, amended or improved. The results of this survey inform the Student Levy Advisory Board (SLAB), who then make recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor on where money from the levy should be spent, as well as the amount students should be charged the following year.
The SLAB is made up of equal UC staff and UCSA representatives. It provides the opportunity for the UCSA to represent the student body and ensure the money is spent in ways that support your university experience and journey.
Depending on how you study at UC, the levy amount you pay differs.
Students who are enrolled to study on campus courses with the site codes C, M and A are charged $9.72 per academic point. For one whole year of study (120 points), you will be charged $1166.40. Full information on course codes can be found here.
Students who study off campus courses with the site codes D, O, E, N, R, T, F or, Y and have limited access to campus-based student services are charged a reduced rate, calculated at $1.94 (20% of full charge) per academic point. For one whole year of study (120 points), you will be charged $232.80.
The amount of points you are studying depends on your qualification and the courses you are enrolled in. The maximum amount a student can pay in one academic year is $1,458.
| Course site code | One 15-point course | One semester (full-time) 60 points | Two semesters (full-time) 120 points | Maximum SSL charge per academic year |
| On campus (C, M or A) | $145.80 | $583.20 | $1,166.40 | $1,458.00 |
| Off campus (D, O, E, N, R, T, F or, Y) | $29.16 | $116.64 | $233.28 | $291.60 |
The total amount to pay will show on the invoice included with your yearly Enrolment Agreement. All tuition fees, SSL, and any other costs listed on your invoice need to be paid before your enrolment is considered complete. SSL can be paid with a StudyLink loan if you are eligible. Read more about funding your study here.
STAR students, microcredentials students, UC staff with a University waiver, and incoming reciprocal exchange students are all exempt from paying SSL.
Canterbury Tertiary Alliance (CTA) staff with an approved CTA form will pay SSL at a rate of 50%. Students with reciprocal waivers may also be charged SSL at a reduced rate.
There are some scenarios where you can receive a partial or full refund. Find more information in the SSL policy here.
You can email the USCA President at president@ucsa.org.nz or enrolmentsupport@canterbury.ac.nz. You can also have your say in the annual UCount survey.
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