News

The Otago Polytechnic is considering extending its academic year from two semesters to three trimesters. Instead of the current 32-week year split into two semesters, there would be three 14-week trimesters.

Under the proposed model, classes would begin mid-January and run through to the end of November. At the moment semesters are 16 weeks long, beginning mid-February and finishing around the end of October. The change would mean students would spend less time studying, reducing the amount spent on rent and living cost, and could move onto the job market sooner.

 
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times, Polytechnic chief executive officer Phil Ker pointed out that the change would mean students could complete four-year degrees in three years, and three-year degrees in two. Meanwhile a one-year certificate would take only eight months to finish.
 

If the plan is approved Otago would be the first polytechnic in the country to have such a system, the closest currently offered being an unofficial third summer school term run by the Wellington Institute of Technology.
 
 
With Polytech already running at the maximum domestic enrolment cap, the move would not increase enrolment numbers of New Zealand students. However, the three trimester system is being touted as a key move in attracting more international students to the institution. International students reportedly stated that a shorter overall study duration was a key consideration in selecting which institution to study at.

 
Domestic enrolments are currently capped at 3208 funded full-time places. Polytech can also opt to take on an extra 96 non-funded domestic students.  Having already reached its 2011 funding cap for domestic students, the Polytech is looking at having to cut second semester enrolments by up to 40% if additional funding is denied by the state.

 
The extra income earned from an increase in the international student roll under the new system would allow the Polytech to take on more students without funding. At the moment there is no limit on the number of international students the Polytech can accept.

 
Ker was quick to emphasise to the ODT that the trimester system was as much about addressing staff workloads as it was about attracting new students. Under the proposed scheme, staff would teach two of three semesters, with the third being allocated to “non- classroom activities”.

 
Ker also pointed out that students would likely be required to do more self-directed learning due to a possible reduction in contact hours.
 

Reaction to the scheme has so far been mixed. Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association president Michelle Fidow told the ODT that, depending on the trimester dates, the proposed system could spell trouble for students who are parents, as Polytech holidays may no longer coincide with school term breaks.
 

One Polytech student studying massage therapy was enthusiastic at the thought of being able to graduate sooner, but disliked the possibility of having to undertake more self-directed learning and was concerned about not being able to work a full five months over the summer.