The University of Otago is reporting a modest increase in first-year and international student numbers, but total domestic enrolments have dropped.
The figures, released at yesterday's university council meeting, show international full-fee enrolments are up 5.8% (65 equivalent full-time students), on the corresponding time last year, while first-year domestic enrolments are up 6.7% (235 efts) on the corresponding time last year.
The increases contribute to a total enrolment rise of four efts, bringing the total efts at the university to 17,153.
The university's budget, tabled last November, forecasted a growth of just six efts for the full year.
A further 1000 enrolments were expected by the end of the year, which would bring efts growth to six, a university spokesman said yesterday.
The modest increase comes in the wake of a 619 efts shortfall on the 2015 budget, which was attributed to new university entrance standards, the changing labour market and competition between universities.
Vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne said the figures marked a positive start to the year for the university, with the increased presence keeping campus busy and filling all residential colleges.
‘‘Achieving first-year growth this year was crucial to stabilising overall domestic enrolments following that 2015 first-year decline.''
She attributed the increase to a higher percentage of school leavers gaining university entrance and the availability of more scholarships.
A financial review for the year ended February 29 showed $11.858million had been spent on scholarships, 10.3% greater than budget.
All university divisions experienced growth in first-year enrolments, including 6.9% and 2.2% increases in the humanities and commerce divisions respectively.
In a report released last month, chief financial officer Sharon Van Turnhout said declining student numbers last year were ‘‘overwhelmingly'' concentrated in the commerce and humanities divisions.
Both humanities and sciences divisions experienced overall drops in efts - humanities by 3.7% and sciences by 0.1%.
Overall domestic enrolments were down 61 efts (-0.4%) on last year.
The university said the drop was largely due to the pipeline effect of the small 2015 first-year intake.
A 5.8% increase in international student numbers marked the first time international growth had been reported in the first half of the year since 2011.
Prof Hayne said the return to growth in international numbers expanded on first year international growth in 2015, and was a result of ‘‘refocused'' recruitment tactics. Maori and domestic Pacific enrolments increased by 86 and 70 students respectively.
