What is it?
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.
What does it pay for?
The SSL you pay helps us deliver all kinds of support services you can access as a UC student. These services include:
- Advocacy and legal advice, like budget planning and grants, and advocacy services provided by UCSA Advocacy & Welfare.
- Careers advice and guidance, workshops, helping you with internships and Student Job Search.
- Subsidised health care and counselling from the Health Centre and UCSA Welfare.
- Media such as CANTA to inspire debate and keep you up to date with student life at UC.
- UCSA-supported clubs and events like Clubs Day.
- Events like Ori and RE:Ori weeks
- Pasifika student development and support from the Pacific Development Team
- Māori student development and support from UC Māori
- Development of student spaces
Who decides?
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.
How much do I pay?
The amount of SSL you pay will depend on how many courses (and associated points) you study and whether you enrol in on-campus or off-campus courses. The SSL fee also increases annually.
For on-campus courses with the site codes C, M and A, students are charged $10.30 per academic point in 2026. In 2027 this will increase to $10.71 per point. For one year of study (120 points), this equates to $1,236.00 in 2026, and $1,285.40 in 2027.
For off-campus courses with the site codes D, O, E, N, or F, students are charged at a reduced rate of 20% of the full SSL charge per academic point. In 2026, this equates to $2.06 per academic point. In 2027 this will increase to $2.14 per point. For a full year of study (120 points), you will be charged $247.20 in 2026, and $257.08 in 2027.
There is a cap on the amount of SSL you pay each year; the maximum amount is equivalent to 150 points of SSL, which is $1,545.00 in 2026, and $1,606.75 in 2027.
2027 SSL
| 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, A) | $160.67 | $642.70 | $1,285.40 | $1,606.75 |
| Off campus (D, O, E, N, F) | $32.13 | $128.54 | $257.08 | $321.35 |
2026 SSL
| 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, A) | $154.50 | $618.00 | $1,236.00 | $1,545.00 |
| Off campus (D, O, E, N, F) | $30.90 | $123.60 | $247.20 | $309.00 |
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.
How can I give feedback about how the SSL funds are used?
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.
