Other costs
Apart from tuition fees for your course and units, there are a number of costs associated with studying at university. Make sure you find out what additional costs you'll have while studying at UWS.
Textbooks
Textbooks can be expensive with costs varying according to the course and units you’re studying. Textbooks are often compulsory and you will be required to use them for weekly readings, assessments or open book exams.
You can purchase textbooks from the Connect Books stores at each campus. The UWS Library purchases at least one copy of every prescribed textbook that are held in ‘closed reserve’ so they can’t be taken out of the library. You can photocopy one chapter or 10% of the number of pages of a textbook (whichever is greater) without infringing copyright laws. The library also aims to hold every ‘recommended reading’ book in closed reserve.
Second-hand textbooks are also available. See our Textbook tips [PDF, 19Kb] (opens in a new window) for more information.
Parking
UWS campuses are restricted parking areas which use a paid parking system. All vehicles parked on a UWS campus must display a valid UWS parking permit on the lower, driver’s side windscreen/dash. More information about parking is available at our Parking page.
Photocopying and printing
Frequent printing of lecture notes at the computer labs can add considerably to your stationery costs. Take the time to look over a journal article or textbook chapter before you photocopy or print. If there’s only a small amount of information relevant to what you need, you’re better off making notes (remember to reference) than wasting paper to print/photocopy. Look around for cheaper photocopying rates, and compare places like Officeworks with the University libraries.
Stationery
Writing paper and photocopy/printer paper can be surprisingly expensive. Buy large packs of A4 notepaper at discount stores (e.g. Kmart, Big W) and keep any left over for the next session. Use both sides of the paper for writing notes and for printing draft versions of assignments. Recycle binders/lever arch folders after each session, rather than storing notes in them.
Equipment
Many courses will require you to buy specialised equipment, such as lab coats for science, calculators for accounting or engineering, art supplies for visual arts subjects etc. The uwsconnect retail outlets on each campus stock all required equipment at reasonable prices. Students also place items for sale on notice boards.
Additional course related costs
Some courses will have additional, compulsory costs. For example, PDHPE students must complete a Senior First Aid Certificate (around $160) as part of the requirements for one unit of their course. Nursing students have a number of additional costs, such as immunisations, a Lab Pack and a uniform for Clinical Placements. Check with your School for information about your particular course.
Encumbrances
An encumbrance is a sanction applied to students with outstanding fees or fines imposed by an area of the university, such as library fines for overdue books. Encumbrances have serious consequences; they can cancel your access to UWS online systems and library facilities, will stop you from getting exam results and will restrict you from enrolling in the next teaching session. It is important to pay attention to the due dates on notices from the University such as invoices, enrolment information and library books. For more information see the Encumbrances page.
