Students study harder as competition tightens | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Tauranga students are brushing up their marks as tough new entry criteria emerge among tertiary providers.

A group of teenagers spoken to by the Bay of Plenty Times, said they had been warned in school many tertiary providers were now only accepting the cream of the academic crop.

Seventeen-year-old Rob Kristiffor said students were advised to "use all their spare time to study".

His comments were echoed by 16-year-old Sam Lacey.

"It puts a bit more pressure on you," he said.

The Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand has pleaded with universities to relax the entry criteria as financially stressed institutions demand higher NCEA pass rates to enter previously open-entry courses next year.

Universities have also advised they will cut more students with flagging grades and clamp down on new enrolments because of a cap on domestically-funded students.

However, students may find it easier if they choose to stay in the Bay and study locally.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic marketing manager Maggie Hope said many of the organisation's courses were open-entry.

Students were encouraged to apply early for those with specific entry criteria.

"It's business as usual for us," she said.

 Bay of Plenty Polytechnic yesterday held its annual open day, attracting close to 1000 Year 12 and 13 students from Tokoroa to Opotiki.

Bay of Polytechnic currently has 2900 equivalent full-time students and expects to have 3494 by the end of the year. Of those students, 75 per cent were from the Eastern and Western Bay.

The polytechnic is partnered with the University of Waikato, which also showcased its qualifications yesterday.