Enrolment numbers at the Southern Institute of Technology (Sit) Queenstown campus have tripled, prompting the tertiary education provider to add another six full-time courses to answer demand.
Sit opened its Queenstown campus last year at Remarkables Park and it was an immediate success, campus manager Pam Hulls said.
The unique zero fee scheme, launched by Sit, allowed students to study without taking on the debt of tuition fees.
The popular programme has resulted in the institute become one of the country's fastest-growing and most successful tertiary providers since its launch 10 years ago.
"The combination of zero fees with the buzz of Queenstown's world famous outdoor experience has been a real drawcard for our students who want to take advantage of all the region has to offer," Mrs Hulls said.
"We have full-time courses ranging from tourism management to business and beauty therapy as well as short courses in hospitality and IT."
The other three southern institute campuses in Invercargill, Gore and Christchurch had also had significant growth, particularly in Invercargill where the zero fees programme brought new population into the city, added to the community vibrancy and provided an economic windfall of more than $22 million.
The small class sizes offered at the Queenstown campus ensured plenty of hands-on experience and an excellent tutor-student ration for the 250 students already enrolled.
