Waikato tertiary students can expect to have less pocket money next year, or larger student loans, thanks to a decision to increase course fees by the maximum allowable amount - 4 per cent - at both Waikato University and Wintec.

New Zealand University's Students' Association president Pete Hodkinson says the fee hikes will ruin some Kiwis' chances of a fair education.

Waikato University Council has approved the decision to increase all its domestic student fees by 4 per cent, excluding GST, next year.

Chief financial officer Andrew McKinnon blamed rising costs, inflation predictions and the Government announcement that universities would have no Consumer Price Index funding increase through the Student Achievement Component Funding in 2013.

"The University of Waikato's fees are comparable to that of other universities and the university continues to offer a quality education at competitive prices."

The increase would apply to all short awards, certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate courses studied by domestic students.

Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers said he appreciated an increase might be a challenge for some students but "within the sector we remain in a median position with our fees".

But Mr Hodkinson said it was "very rare" for any tertiary institute to raise their fees by anything less than the maximum, which was "neither fair nor reasonable".

"It's destroying the possibility for some people to an equal opportunity at a tertiary education," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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