Many UPEI students say they feel they're being forced to buy new textbooks each year, instead of trying to save money by buying used.

Students say that's because some professors are using online resources, which require access codes that come with the new books.

Even if students buy an old textbook, they still have to buy the codes at a cost between $50 and $80. With that cost factored in, it is just as expensive as buying a new textbook that includes the code.

The online resources are created by publishers. The university bookstore said this year about 20 courses at UPEI require the codes.

Sarah MacDonald, a UPEI first year student, said she thinks it's unfair to expect students to purchase new textbooks at a higher cost.

"I kinda thought it was bizarre," said MacDonald. "Just because, it's a lot of money for school already."

The decision to use them is made by instructors like Patrick Davies. He teaches an accounting course at UPEI.

"For me it is worth the extra cost to the students, from the sense that there is access to the multiple learning mechanisms, there's access to the real-time coursework and feedback, students can pick their own study plan," said Davies.

"So for me, just the additional learning opportunities that it presents, makes it worthwhile."

UPEI's student union said it will ask the university for details on the access codes and try to come up with a compromise.