Durban - Parents enrolling their children at university will have to fork out an extra 9 to 12 percent this year for tuition fees.
The university councils of three of the four universities in the province have confirmed the increases, with the Mangosuthu University of Technology increasing by 9 percent, Durban University of Technology by 10, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) by 12.
The University of Zululand has yet to determine its increase.
UKZN spokesman, Lesiba Seshoka, said the 12 percent increase was for tuition and accommodation fees.
“This follows a careful consideration of the social circumstances of our students and wider consultation with university stakeholders, he said.
“The fee adjustment has become necessary due to the rising cost of providing quality education not only in South Africa, but worldwide.”
Seshoka said inflation had negatively affected their allocation from the government - deeming inadequate the current fees paid by students.
“It is imperative that adequate financial resources are available to ensure that our degrees remain highly competitive and respected globally.
“It is anticipated that this added revenue will allow us to pursue academic excellence, as well as attract and retain globally-recognised academic staff and highly-respected researchers,” he said.
Students have to pay a registration deposit of R3 750.
There is an additional R2 750 for those who require accommodation.
Dr Albert van Jaarsveld - of the National Research Foundation - is expected to join UKZN as vice-chancellor next month.
UKZN has 12 086 beds on and off campus for the 2015 academic year.
“To help curb the matter, the university makes use of private accommodation in and around our campuses. A list of private accommodation service providers vetted by the University is made available on request, to students and parents during registration,” said Seshoka.
DUT spokesman, Alan Khan, said tuition and accommodation fees had increased by 10 percent this year, but said the university had not increased the registration, which remains at R3 420 this year for annual students and R2 100 for semester students.
For students requiring residence, registration will cost up to R4 200 for semester students and R6 840 for annual students.
DUT has 7 853 beds in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, with some residences being leased.
“Fees charged for accommodation in these buildings (leased) range from R20 000 to R24 000 per annum. In the Durban centre, DUT has 4 956 beds. In the Midlands centre, we have 2 897 beds,” he said.
MUT spokeswoman, Mbali Mkhize, said tuition fees would increase by 9 percent, while accommodation would increase by 8 percent at leased buildings and 9.5 percent on university-owned accommodation.
Registration was unchanged at R2 000 for annual students and R1 000 for semester students, but those seeking residences would have to pay 45 percent of the residence fees up front.
The university has 1 293 beds, while 4 123 beds are leased. But the university said they were meeting the demand for beds.
UniZulu spokeswoman, Normah Zondo, said the university had 3 984 beds. It will be leasing five establishments that can accommodate an additional 856 students.
Daily News