Redundancies are likely if enrolments ''are not on track for a February start'' when Otago Polytechnic takes over courses offered at Aoraki Polytechnic's Dunedin campus.
A proposal to take over the troubled campus was announced on Thursday.
Otago Polytechnic chief executive officer Phil Ker yesterday confirmed courses would continue only with a minimum of 16 enrolments, but said higher enrolments in some courses could balance out lower numbers in others.
''Sixteen [enrolments] is our standard,'' Mr Ker said.
''The fact that it doesn't reach 16 doesn't mean that it's a definite no.
''We're not going to close a programme because its got 14 [but] we won't be offering anything that's got eight students.''
This year, beauty therapy, massage, hairdressing, photography and early childhood courses offered at Aoraki met Otago Polytechnic's enrolment requirements.
It meant staff teaching beauty skills, film and television and journalism could be out of a job.
A marketing plan was being put in place to try to continue next year every programme offered at present by Aoraki.
''We're going to take over the whole lot and put the whole weight of Otago Polytechnic behind it and do our darnedest to make them go,'' he said.
''If programmes can still make a reasonable contribution, then we'll run with it.''
Mr Ker said the proposal was not about Otago Polytechnic trying to build assets and he wanted the public to support the merge.
''What we're saying is, get out there and support these programmes.''
Aoraki Polytechnic marketing and international manager Bronwyn Hargraves did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.
Confirmation of the merger is expected by September 30.
