Huge enrolment increase at Lincoln among positive increases at unis
Lincoln University has seen a huge boost in enrolments this year amid overall positive announcements across the country – except by University of Otago.
Full-time equivalent (FTE) students at Lincoln University have rocketed up 20% compared to 2023, made up of 21% domestic and 13% international increases. Postgraduate students also soared 58%.
It’s the fifth year running that enrolments have risen at Lincoln, something vice-chancellor professor Grant Edwards attributes to their leading land-based courses and 84% employment outcome.
Last year, enrolments fell at all five North Island universities. This year, only Otago University didn’t announce an overall increase. Massey University was unable to provide overall figures.
The University of Otago counted a 380 fewer FTE students (down 2%), resulting in a forecast $3 million to $5m shortfall.
Last year, falling student numbers and reduced retention at the university contributed to course cuts resulting in a $20m shortfall.
Domestic numbers had fallen further than forecast and international growth was “running behind expectations”, acting vice-chancellor professor Helen Nicholson said. International numbers, up 35 FTE students, were expected to rise more later in the year, and fewer domestic students than usual had selected their semester two courses so far, she said.
Massey University said it was unable to provide overall or domestic student figures compared to last year, but noted international students were up 18%.
The university made major cuts to its college of sciences, sold parts of it campus, and proposed further course slashes this year after a $45m deficit last year.
The University of Canterbury and the University of Waikato recorded 6% growth in FTE students – contributing to this was a 12% and 25% international student boost respectively. Canterbury was on track to exceed 24,000 students by the end of the year.
Auckland University of Technology recorded a 3% rise and University of Auckland a 2% rise. Victoria University of Wellington’s enrolment drop has stabilised, with 98 extra FTE students this year (1%), despite cutting courses last year to address a $35m to $38m deficit.
The slight increase put Victoria “on track” to meet 2024 revenue targets and supported a “solid foundation for the university’s ongoing financial sustainability”, a spokesperson said.
Otago University Students’ Association president Keegan Wells said multiple factors could be attributed to the fall in student numbers at Otago and the rise in Canterbury.
Otago’s financial situation was not a good look and Canterbury was a more affordable place to live, she said. “Canterbury students usually boast higher quality of flats at varying price levels, it appears, while Otago has more similar price levels at a more consistently lower quality.
University of Canterbury Students’ Association president Luc Mackay said students wanted space and to be able to “explore their youth as comfortably as possible”.
“So when rent is comparatively very cheap compared to other regions in the country, it’s very attractive.”
The culture was also a draw card, Mackay said, with strong club support and a “very beautiful” campus with lots of green space.
“It’s hard to justify if you come from Wellington, to stay in such a cramped place.”
All enrolment changes were compared to a similar time last year and will change in the coming months.
Business and climate journalist and commentator Rod Oram, pictured, has died as a result of injuries he sustained during a cycling accident on Sunday.
Oram, 73, who was a journalist for over 40 years, died “peacefully in Auckland Hospital surrounded by his family on Tuesday afternoon,”St Andrew’s Church Vicar Sarah Stevens-Cross said. Newsroom, which Oram had been a columnist for since 2017, reported that he suffered a cardiac arrest when he crashed off his bike at Ambury Park in Māngere Bridge. “Rod’s family are incredibly grateful for the care he received from members of the public, St John’s Ambulance and Auckland Hospital Staff.“They are grateful for the messages of love and support which they have received and appreciate the respect which has been shown for their privacy at this very sad time,” Stevens-Cross said.
Stevens-Cross said Oram was active in the Anglican Church and many other community organisations. “He brought his faith and his passionate care for creation to all that he did. He was deeply beloved by us all at St Andrew’s and will be dreadfully missed.”
Beginning his career in New Zealand in 1998 Oram worked with many New Zealand media outlets including the Sunday Star Times and in 2017 became a fellow of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.