Tuition fee
/tuˈɪʃən fiː/
B1
Definition
A tuition fee is the amount of money that a student must pay to an educational institution to study there. It usually covers the cost of teaching and learning activities but not other expenses like books or housing.
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See It in Action
Money paid for attending educational courses
- •The tuition fee for this university is higher than last year.
- •Many students look for scholarships to help pay their tuition fees.
- •International students often pay more tuition fees than local students.
The cost related to the teaching service at a school or college
- •The tuition fee does not include textbooks or accommodation.
- •After paying the tuition fee, students can access all their classes and materials.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "tuition fee" like "price" but for learning at a school or university.
- ✓Picture a student giving money at the school office before starting classes.
- ✓It's the feeling of responsibility when you pay to get knowledge and skills.
- ✓Sounds like "two-ISH-un fee" → imagine paying two fish (fun sound) to enter a school gate.
- ✓Think of famous universities where tuition fees are very high and students save money for years.
- ✓NOT like "free education" where you don’t pay money; tuition fee means you must pay to study.
- ✓NOT like "book fee" or "housing fee" which are other costs; tuition fee is specifically for teaching.
- ✓NOT like "donation" which is a gift; tuition fee is a required payment for service.
Try Other Words
- •Tuition: money paid for teaching (Use when the word "fee" is not necessary or already understood)
- •School fee: money paid to school (Use for younger students or general school payments)
- •Enrollment fee: money paid to join a school or program (Use when payment is for starting, not ongoing classes)
- •Course fee: money paid for a specific course (Use when talking about payment for one class, not whole school)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "tuition" (from Latin meaning teaching or instruction) + "fee" (a payment or charge)
- •Etymology: "Tuition" comes from Latin "tuitionem," meaning a watching or guarding, later teaching; "fee" comes from Old French "fei," meaning payment
- •Historical development: The term "tuition fee" came into use as education became more formal and schools started charging money for teaching
- •Modern usage: Now used worldwide to describe the money students pay to attend educational institutions, especially higher education
Reflect & Connect
•How does the requirement to pay a tuition fee affect a student's decision to study in a certain place or program?
•Can education be truly equal if tuition fees are very different around the world?
Fill in the blanks
1.Many students work part-time jobs to ___ their tuition fee during the school year.
2.The tuition fee usually covers the cost of ___ but not other expenses like books or housing.
3.Unlike a donation, the tuition fee is a ___ payment required to attend classes.
4.When tuition fees rise, some students ___ scholarships or financial aid to help.
5.The tuition fee is different from the enrollment fee, which is paid only at the ___ of a program.
6.Some countries offer free education, so students do not have to pay a ___ fee.
7.Paying the tuition fee allows students to ___ access to their courses and teachers.