The Otago Daily Times reports that the University of Otago plans to introduce two-tier enrolments from next year in a move designed to halt the rapid growth in first-year domestic student numbers.

Students with strong academic records will be offered guaranteed entry, but those falling below that standard will have to apply and take their chances based on the number of places available, the university council decided this week.

The university council this week approved a range of measures including halting new enrolments in five sub-degree diploma and certificate courses, discontinuing places for “interest-only” students and introducing enrolment caps for the Summer School and two foundation studies programmes.

Enrolment caps which come into force from semester two this year on 10 previously open-entry undergraduate degrees will also continue.

Vice-chancellor Prof Sir David Skegg told the council he had “no idea” how many students might miss out on places.

The university’s domestic enrolments this year were 4.4 percent higher than last year and by the end of the year they were expected to exceed the Tertiary Education Commission’s EFTS cap by 520 to 550 EFTS.

Meanwhile the North Shore Timesreports that Massey University will close second semester enrolments earlier than planned and also cut back summer school in semester three. The university’s vice-chancellor Steve Maharey says it will introduce preferential entry next year as a result of the government’s freeze on funding for extra enrolments. Mr Maharey says the earlier closing date is in an effort to ensure the university stays within tertiary education commission guidelines this year.

The Manawatu Standard reports that students are worried that second chance learners, Māori and pacific islands students could all miss out under new tighter enrolment policies – even though they’re considered a Government priority.

Thanks to _setev at Flickr for the photo