Lincoln University's fees are set to rise by an average 3.4 per cent.
However, the University council hoped a move to subject-based fees meant costs would be shared by students across all qualifications.
"The old qualifications-based fee system hit students' pockets with peaks and troughs in costs according to their choice ofdegree, diploma and certificate," a statement from the university said.
"Now everyone sitting the same subject will pay the same dollars."
University fees have been frozen for the past three years.
"The end of the freeze has given the university an opportunity to reassess its approach to fee setting which has resulted in the move to a subject-based model," acting Vice-Chancellor Roger Field said.
"The average of 3.4 per cent obviously means that some individual subjects will be above and some below that figure.... Our increase is comparable to what the others have announced. In the past we have offered the second lowest fees in Commerce, the third lowest in Humanities and Social Science and we have been competitive in Science.
