Increase in student numbers
Palmerston North polytechnic UCOL Te Pūkenga is celebrating a rise in the number of enrolments to start the year.
UCOL, which has campuses in Palmerston North, Whanganui, Masterton and Levin, has experienced high demand for enrolments.
Domestic and international student numbers have risen compared with this time last year, with more than 3200 students enrolled across all its campuses, with further intakes for March, April, May and mid-year to come.
In 2023, UCOL had 5349 students by the end of the academic year, and in 2022 there were 5591.
UCOL’s executive director of partnerships and engagement Jasmine Groves said it was heading for more than 5000 students by the end of the year, and was “well positioned” to grow the number compared with last year.
She said there were 105 more fulltime equivalent students than at the same time last year, and international fulltime equivalents had more than doubled, with 45 more fulltime equivalent students.
At the end of February, UCOL had 2100 ākonga (students) in Palmerston North, 450 in Wairarapa, 415 in Whanganui, 100 in Levin, and 190 studying off campus.
Groves said the increase was down to UCOL’s long-standing reputation, the changing job market, and more people seeking education post-pandemic.
“UCOL has been part of our communities for over 130 years.
‘‘People choose to study here because they know we’ll look after them and open the door to industries that are now booming and eager for their skills.”
UCOL’s trades academy, done in partnership with schools, had more than 1000 high school students enrolled across the four campuses, and numbers in the youth guarantee programme had increased by 26%.
The demand for some courses, such as hairdressing in Whanganui, and automotive and electrical engineering in Wairarapa, meant classes had been already capped for semester one, Groves said.
UCOL was also adding a number of new programmes this year.
“2024 is going to be an exciting one for us,” Groves said.
“The first cohort of bachelor of teaching (early childhood education) will be delivered in Whanganui, Manawatū will offer an entertainment and event technology programme, and we’re extending the delivery of re reo Māori to support increasing demand.”
The 3+2 programme, where students still at secondary school could participate in a full tertiary programme, had also experienced an increase in demand.
The programme covers a range of courses such as construction, mechanical engineering, hospitality, plumbing and hairdressing.
It started with six students in 2021 and has grown to 85 this year, with semester two enrolments yet to be added.