Polytechnic considers fee rise for international students

International students' course fees at Otago Polytechnic may increase by up to 4% next year, as the tertiary institute's chief executive considers whether to implement a council decision which has approved the increase in costs.

Otago Polytechnic CEO Phil Ker said he would have the final decision on whether the course fees would rise, after council members voted to approve an increase at a recent meeting.

Recent analysis of an "uncertain and volatile" market had shown that New Zealand was viewed as an unsafe destination for international students, given the recent earthquakes in Christchurch, he said.

He agreed a rise in course costs could be an extra disincentive for international students to study in New Zealand, which was why he would reserve his final decision on whether to implement the increase.

Prospective international students were considering their study destinations "about now" and they needed information about course costs, he said.

Otago Polytechnic has 165 international students enrolled and "about 176" were expected next year, Mr Ker said.

"We're going to wait and see how inquiries from international students are tracking," he said.

A decision was likely by "mid-August".

The international course fee increases reflected an expected similar rise in Government-subsidised domestic fees, Mr Ker said.