Student services fee explained , Ngā whakamārama mō ngā ratonga utu āwhina tauira

Find out how the student services fee is used to support your study journey and make your academic experience better.

Two students walking outside library

What is the compulsory student services fee?

All universities in New Zealand charge a student services fee, sometimes known as a student services levy, as directed by the New Zealand Government’s Tertiary Education Commission. This gives you access to services that contribute to student life by supporting your study journey and enhancing your academic experience.

Services provided include student development, career and employment support, health and counselling services, representation, advocacy and advice, clubs, cultural groups, societies, sport and recreation, student to student communication, and pastoral care and wellbeing services.

How is the student services fee allocated?  

The Tertiary Education Commission tells us that the money can only be spent on specific categories. At Massey the student services fee categories for 2024 are:

Student representation, advocacy and advice 13%

  • Class representatives can work to address course delivery issues on behalf of your class.
  • Advocacy services provide independent support to you though your students association Te Tira Ahu Pae.
  • Financial support is available to you including budgeting advice and minor hardship grants.
  • Student representation, advocacy and advice includes:
    • Te Tira Ahu Pae executives and student representation
    • Rainbow takatāpui
    • Student Voice.

Student to student communication 2%

  • Massive magazine is produced by your students association Te Tira Ahu Pae and is available on campus and online.
  • Online communication includes student portals, Te Tira Ahu Pae websites, facebook and instagram.
  • Student radio is run by students for students – tune in to Manawatū Radio Control 99.4FM.

Student development, career and employment support 12%

  • Massey Career Centre online offering tools, resources and NZUni Talent Jobs Board
  • Career readiness events and webinars featuring alumni and employer recruitment presentations
  • Career development guidance workshops, webinars and programmes
  • Student Job Search platform for casual employment supporting your study
  • Development programmes enhancing your personal growth and transferable skills, including Strengths@Massey, Campus Co-Lab, Massey Guides and leadership opportunities.

Student health 22%

  • Clinics – confidential subsidised health clinics, 15 minute appointments with doctors and nurses
  • General health services including advice on diet and exercise, blood pressure checks, contraception advice, hearing, eye and skin tests, laboratory tests, minor surgery, repeat prescriptions, treatment with liquid nitrogen, and sexual health
  • Health promotion including vaccinations, sexual health, and immunisations.

Student counselling and care 23%

  • Pastoral care and support services to help you overcome obstacles and maintain your personal wellness are provided by a range of staff who run workshops and events to promote wellbeing. These are specific staff supporting Rainbow, Pacific, Māori and International students.
  • Te Rau Tauawhi and Pacific Student Success services support Māori and Pacific students
  • Counselling by trained and registered counsellors to help you find ways to work through and understand personal, social or psychological issues on a professional basis – if you are living in NZ free counselling is available on campus or online.

Clubs, cultural groups, sport and recreation 16%

  • Student clubs, cultural groups and events online and on campus arranged through Te Tira Ahu Pae
  • Admin support including activity grants for clubs
  • Sport and recreation centres on each campus including social leagues and support for running clubs
  • Activities promoting engagement in sport and recreation.

Student achievement support 12%

  • Proactive coaching – reaching out to students who may be facing challenges; helping you unlock your full potential using the GROW model and coaching techniques
  • Data driven support – using predictive analytics to identify students at risk and provide tailored coaching to help you succeed academically
  • Comprehensive assistance – whether you’re a new student facing difficulties, returning from academic exclusion, or experiencing life barriers, we offer ongoing support to help you stay on track with your learning journey
  • Prep 4 Study – easing the transition to study by providing an opportunity for new students to connect to each other, their community and services, reflect on preparedness and get familiar with Stream.

How can you make your voice heard?

There are a number of opportunities for you to have your say. Each year the university and students association meet to discuss priorities around access to particular student services. Feedback gathered from students association and the annual student experience survey is also taken into consideration.

Student services fee engagement plan for 2023

We're working with your students association, Te Tira Ahu Pae, to collaboratively plan and execute our services fee consultation for 2023. This will impact on 2024 – how and where funds are allocated, the fee amount, and the fee maximum.

We'll engage with you through a variety of channels, including:

  • through questionnaires and online to help you understand what the student services fee is and how it's spent.
  • campus popups designed to educate students on the student services fee.

In June 2023, we asked current students for their opinion about how the compulsory Student Services Fee supports their success, and how much the Student Services Fee charges should be for 2024. We ran the survey for two weeks and 1,325 students responded.

The survey asked you to rank the services that are funded by the Student Services Fee (SSF) in order of their value to you as a student and to student life more broadly and then asked your opinion on a proposed Student Services Fee for 2024.

This report summarises quantitative data, followed by qualitative data, and key findings from the Student Services Fee survey.

Student Services Fee - student survey results 2023 (PDF)

A newly formed Student Services Fee Advisory Group called for student nominations in July and 10 student representatives are about to be appointed.

Meetings and consultations with the newly formed students association Te Tira Ahu Pae began in April 2023 and are ongoing.

Infographic - Where does your student services fee go?

Infographic – How your student services fee is spent

Feedback through your students association leader

Feedback to the Director of Student Experience

How your student services fee was used in 2023

We use your student services fee to support your success. This end-of-year services report shows how your student services fee was used in 2023.

Reporting and decision making

Student services fees requirements are included in funding conditions administered by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). Changes to student services fees are outlined in The Tertiary Education (Requirements for Student Services Fees) Notice 2022. From 2023, a single compulsory student services fee is charged.

We place importance on encouraging a strong student voice. We achieve this by:

  • engaging directly with students to learn more about how the levy should be spent and what services are most important
  • meeting throughout the year with the students association as an important means of seeking input and feedback
  • each year we liaise with student leaders over the following year’s priorities for the student services fee budget. This involves a Service Level Agreement between Massey and your students association so that your association is funded appropriately to deliver particular services to all students, and ensures that the services delivered are important to student success at Massey.

The university reports the student services fee income and expenditure in its annual accounts, and the relevant section covering the student services fees is in Massey University's Annual Report (2022 pages 97-98 – PDF, 9.7 MB). Any student services fee surplus is carried forward to the following year to be used solely for providing student services.

Fees

The student services fee is a compulsory non-tuition fee. This includes a base fee plus a fee for each credit you are enrolled in. The maximum number of credits you can be charged for in an academic year is 120. The amount you need to pay will depend on how many credits you are enrolled in, your location and mode of study.

Find information on all fees including the current rates

If you have exceptional personal circumstances, such as an extended hospital stay affecting your ability to study, you may apply to have this compulsory fee reconsidered.

Student services fee reconsideration application form

Find information on all fees including the current rates

Find information on all fees including the current rates

Students association

The students association gives you a helping hand and ensure your voice is heard.

Three students talking and laughing on campus Three students talking and laughing on campus Three students talking and laughing on campus Three students talking and laughing on campus