UWI St. Augustine Halts Planned Tuition Increase for 2025–2026 Academic Year

August 21, 2025 – Students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus will receive temporary relief as a proposed 20 percent tuition fee hike has been put on hold for the 2025–2026 academic year.

The increase, initially approved by UWI’s highest governing body—the University Council—on May 2, 2025, followed recommendations from a special Fee Committee made up of Guild-appointed representatives, actuaries, and business professionals. While the committee initially advised a 25 percent hike, consultations with the Guild of Students led to a reduced figure of 20 percent.

The adjustment aimed to address financial pressures that have built up over the past 24 years, during which tuition fees remained unchanged. In earlier talks, the Guild acknowledged the need for the increase but advocated for a compromise, securing an arrangement that allowed students to register by paying 80 percent of their fees upfront, with time to pay the remainder. This was approved by the Campus Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GPC).

However, recent developments have paused the implementation of the fee hike. With approval from the Chancellor, acting on behalf of the University Council, the decision has been temporarily stayed—ensuring that students will not face increased tuition for the upcoming academic year.