Polytech enrolment tightened

Otago Polytechnic is expecting to have to turn some students away next year after being told it will not get all the Government-funded places it had hoped for.

To counter that, the polytechnic would introduce a more stringent selection process for first-year students to ensure funded places went to those serious about study who had a strong chance of succeeding, chief executive Phil Ker said yesterday.

First-year students with strong academic records applying for high-level diploma or degree programmes were "very likely" to be accepted ahead of those who met only minimum requirements, he said in a report to be discussed at today's polytechnic council meeting.

The enrolment management strategy endorsed by the leadership team involved more applicants being interviewed pre-enrolment to gauge their suitability for study and their chances of success, as well as a tougher line on under-performing students.

A non-refundable deposit payable after students had accepted a place was also being proposed to penalise students who waited until the last minute to pull out.

The message for prospective students was clear, Mr Ker said in the report.

"We will not allow a place to be taken up by someone who is not taking their study seriously where others are on the waiting list for entry. Taking this harder line is also good for students, who will not be allowed to run up debt needlessly or to use up their lifetime access to tertiary education."

Under changes introduced in the May Budget, undergraduate students are only eligible for student loans or allowances for seven years in their lifetime.

The Tertiary Education Commission negotiates with tertiary institutions annually and funds an agreed number of places for domestic students - New Zealand-born students, New Zealand citizens and some overseas students whose countries have reciprocal agreements with New Zealand.

Otago Polytechnic had about 3200 funded places this year and was hoping for at least the same, if not more, next year, Mr Ker said when contacted.

While the polytechnic's final number of places had not been finalised, it was apparent it would not be 3200, he said.

That was "disappointing", he said, as Otago had done what the Government had prioritised in its tertiary education strategy and increased the number of students enrolling in diploma and degree qualifications.