The Board of Trustees passed a series of tuition increases on March 4 for domestic and international students for the 2016-17 school year. 

While tuition for most programs only increased by 2 to 5 per cent, the tuition rate international students will pay for the 2016-17 year for the Masters of Science in Healthcare Quality was increased by 36.1 per cent. Non-domestic students, who had previously paid $14,690 for the 2015-16 year, will now be paying $20,000.

Prior to the increase, the difference between domestic and international tuition was only $690. Domestic students pay $14,350 for the incoming year.

The increases, which were made based on recommendations by the Capital Assets and Finance Committee, were in compliance with the Ontario government’s tuition fee framework.

A Queen’s communications officer told The Journal via email that the Capital Assets and Finance Committee assessed Queen’s domestic and international fees for comparability with peer institutions before making its recommendations. The committee also took into account market demand and the revenue required to ensure high-quality and relevant programs, they wrote.

“More specifically, increasing the international fees associated with some professional Master’s programs brings the fees into alignment with competitor institutions. Keeping the tuition flat for international research graduate students maintains our competiveness in attracting high quality students and keeps it at approximately double the domestic fees,” the email stated.