Wednesday 01-12-2021 - 10:21

Hidden Costs is a term used to define fees or payment charges that aren’t made transparent within our courses or university in general.

 

It’s no secret that we might splash out for things when we arrive at university, and countless students have been guilty of spending the food bill on some new Jordans, or at this time of year, decorations for accommodation rooms.

 

Those are costs we choose to pay for (whether it was a good idea or not…).

 

What we’re talking about here are costs that are essential for learning that students are potentially unaware exist before arriving at University, like paying for sports uniforms, equipment, and rehearsal items.

 

In my opinion students shouldn’t be paying for essentials to complete their course, and it’s important for any education provider to provide us, in realistic terms, with those things that will not just broaden our research, but actually allow us to get to the end of our studies in the first place.

 

As a Student Governor as well as your FAS Student Engagement Officer, I can ensure you the university wants that for you as well.

 

What we want to know is the real picture of the financial burden of study at Edge Hill in 2021 so we can paint a better picture of what students feel is fair and unfair.

 

 

Why do I want to campaign against hidden costs?

 

I was one of the thousands of students that finished their degree in a pandemic, and obviously no one could’ve expected COVID-19 to come along and the impact it had on our studies.

 

 

It was only after I graduated that I reflected on my time at university, and questioned why I paid for many textbooks or invested in equipment if it was to further my research and studies.

 

Universities have excellent resources and access to facilities – while I may have been able to afford a textbook or extra piece of equipment, is it fair that financial flexibility may be a determining factor when it comes to course success?  

 

That is why I wanted to investigate further, to see if other students have faced the same issue as I did, and whether COVID-19 has exaggerated issues around course costs and accessing resources.

 

 

What Edge Hill Students Can Do?

 

To begin my investigation, I created a Hidden Costs survey that all students can fill out.

 

Surveys are convenient and easy as they also allow students to use their voice anonymously.

 

As a Students’ Union, we are also independent from the university and as a charitable organisation we are student-led, that is why we need to hear from you.

 

We’ll be looking into all responses we receive from our reporting form, and all students will receive information about the Advice Centre team should they want to forward a complaint about their academic experience.

 

 

I have done the survey, what next?

 

My main objective starting my post as your Student Engagement Officer is to take action.

 

I understand from a student perspective that it can be frustrating if you take the time out of your day to fill out a survey then nothing happens especially when you have done the right thing, using your voice to improve your time at university.

 

Next thing to do is email the Advice Centre Team (suadvice@edgehill.ac.uk) and book an appointment to submit a complaint, especially if you feel rising course costs are substantially affecting your academic experience.

 

From there my role is to promote your voice, I will be expecting transparency from the university on Hidden Costs, especially when analysing your responses and forwarding them to the relevant course leaders.

 

As one of your Student Governors, one of my duties is to meet in person with the Board of Governors and report my findings directly to them, and the more responses we receive the more likely we can make a case for positive change at course level, because as a student you deserve an amazing time at university.

 

 

 

What to do when you’ve read this article? Report any course costs you’ve encountered through our reporting form.