Enrol early at Massey or miss out

Students who leave Massey University enrolments to the last minute could be shut out out of courses, as the overflowing university tightens the rules.

Yesterday, vice-chancellor Steve Maharey warned that the university would be strict on enrolment procedures for the coming academic year, with late enrolments likely to be declined.

Massey had stopped short of restricting entry to courses – for this year at least.

At the moment most of Massey's courses are open entry, apart from some specialised degrees – like veterinary science.

That means if students' marks in NCEA are above the national benchmark, or they are over the age of 20, they will be accepted.

But last year's Budget saw some big tertiary education funding cuts, with about $10 million to be shaved from Massey's funding alone by 2011.

At the same time, tough economic conditions have meant thousands of people who might otherwise be working have flooded into tertiary study.

This could lead to New Zealand's first restricted entry system since university education became widely accessible in the 1960s, Mr Maharey said.

Last year, Massey had a 5.4 per cent jump in equivalent full-time student (EFTS) enrolments, across campuses in Palmerston North, Wellington, Albany and extramurally.

Universities are funded for a set amount of those full-time students, as agreed by the Tertiary Education Commission. They are allowed a 3 per cent overflow, but do not receive funding for extra students. Massey is 5 per cent over, with 1200 more EFTS than it is funded for, Mr Maharey said.

And early indications for next year were that enrolment numbers would be "massive".

"The demand will be extremely high ... and I would advise people that it looks like the Government is moving towards much tighter controls of access to tertiary education.

"In this uncertain environment, the best thing people can do is enrol early, and make sure they're not at the back of a queue."

The Government had been unclear about what it would do if the university continued to exceed its funding cap, with planned talks in March now postponed till after next year's May Budget, Mr Maharey said.

But, by keeping the rules on enrolment tight, Massey would be in a better position to argue for more Government assistance.

Mr Maharey was still determined to push the university's strategic plan goal of lifting the number of EFTS by another 37 per cent in the next 11 years, to 25,500.

Education Minister Anne Tolley said the Government was watching enrolments closely. Each university was expected to prioritise funding and adjust to the Government's tertiary education strategy.

"The TEC is in discussions with the universities on the potential pressure on enrolments, and the extent to which universities can manage within existing funding to meet Government priorities."

- © Fairfax NZ News