The pricetag on living in the UAE is like a leaf riding a high wind, but one factor holding steady in this state of flux is the cost of highereducation. It has risen by a mere 3.6 per cent over the last academic year, reports Reema Saffarini
Rising petrol prices, surging costs of essential commodities, increasing medical expenses and the never-ending rent hikes have taken their toll on the pockets of many expatriates living in the UAE.
The Economist Intelligence Unit - publisher of The Economist magazine - have ranked Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the 71st and 82nd most expensive cities worldwide.
However, this has apparently not impacted the higher education sector.
One issue that keeps parents and students on their toes is the annual increase in fees.
Dormitories, laboratories and activities expenses are also added. Books also have a separate budget.
So to get a better understanding of how the higher education sector has been affected by the increase in the cost of living, Notes did a comparative study of tuition fees in six universities. They were picked for their relatively high expatriate presence.
Fees and related costs were compared during the academic years 2004 ?05 and 2005-06.
To narrow it down, the study concentrated on the business programmes - a very popular choice among undergraduate students, based on feedback received from several top educators.
The study covered the American University in Dubai (AUD), the American University of Sharjah (AUS), University of Sharjah, Skyline College, American College of Dubai (ACD) and University of Wollongong Dubai (UOWD).
Editor's NOTE: Abu Dhabi University was contacted by Notes for information regarding tuition, book cost and other student expenses. However it was not made available.
Outcome
The results showed that universities were relatively consistent in their fees compared to the previous academic year. There was only a nominal increase.
For example, the increase in AUD's tuition fee for the business administration programme was Dh250.
According to the university, the increase was "due to the move from the quarter to the semester system. The annual tuition has increased to reflect the cost of the additional course."
Based on the previous quarter system, the maximum number of courses students were allowed to take was nine. The semester system allows students to take up to 10 courses, hence the increase.
The rise in other universities averaged from Dh500 to Dh3,945.
However, the increase in Skyline College was the highest among the institutions surveyed. It was Dh7,000.
A statement issued by the college to Notes, said: "The cost of living in the UAE has increased drastically during these years and has had an effect on the cost of books, tuition fees? etc.
"Also, we can only use foreign books, which we procure from countries such as the UK and US. Not to mention the freight and agent's charges which add to the prices."
The University of Sharjah's fee increase was limited to four per cent, or Dh1,196.
A statement issued by the university, said: "The university is allowed to increase the fees between two to five per cent. We increased it by four per cent because of operation costs."
Books budget
Many parents may feel relieved after getting tuition fees out of the way. However, few can afford to forget about the hidden cost of books.
The estimated average of book prices ranged between Dh150 and Dh250. Colleges following a rental system, charge Dh50 or Dh60 per book.
The number of books needed for a four-year business programme varies between 20 and 70 as per the institute's requirements.
At the end of a four-year programme, students in certain universities would be paying from Dh75,00 to Dh12,600 for books.
Many of these books cannot be resold to recoup costs, as professors often alter book selections.
Some universities have no control over book prices.
"Fees and book prices go up due to inflation and the increasing cost of operating a university and/or to publish textbooks. Universities have some control over operating costs, but increases are inevitable. However, we have quite limited control over textbook prices," said a statement by AUS.
Extra expenses
Dormitories, laboratories and activities also have their prices. In some cases, as in UOWD, extra expenses averaged Dh16,200. This includes a student activity fee and accommodation, which depends on location, facilities and living arrangements.
At AUS, extra expenses averaged Dh13,030 in the academic year 2005-06. That included student activities, accommodation, which depends on facilities and living arrangements, and health insurance.
The University of Sharjah's expenses averaged Dh8,520.
Skyline College's expenses averaged Dh725 for student activities for the year 2005-06.
However, some were minimal, as in the case of ACD, which charged Dh30 for student activities and computer lab fees.
What the survey has revealed offers hope to many living in the UAE ? not all news is bad news
Extra Expenses
University Expenses 2005-06
*In 2004-05 AUD followed a three-semester system wherein students were allowed a maximum of nine courses. The fee was Dh42,300.
In 2005-06, the university shifted to the two-semester system wherein students are allowed a maximum of 10 courses. The fee is Dh47,250.
To get a fair idea of the increase, we calculated the comparative cost of a 10-course AUD academic year at the 2004-05 level. It was found to be Dh47,000.
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