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Entry to courses at the University of Auckland may be restricted under changes to the way tertiary education is funded.
Principals have told senior students to knuckle down and strive for merit or excellence endorsements on exams, otherwise they may struggle for a place at the university in two years.
From next year, tertiary education providers will be funded based on a complex investment plan rather than the number of students.
Vice-chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon told high school principals at a forum last week the university was working through the changes, including the possible cap on student numbers.
University of Auckland schools partnership office director Ken Rapson said the university was honouring information in its prospectus for next year, meaning the arts and science faculties would have open entry for 2008.
Other courses already had varying restrictions on entry.
He did not yet know if restrictions would increase to all courses in 2009.
"Until the investment plan is decided, and the university then knows how many places we are catering for, we can't make any predictions," said Mr Rapson.
"All we are aware of is that change is coming."
Secondary Principals' Association president Peter Gall said it sent a clear message to students.
"Just getting plain old University Entrance isn't going to be good enough," said the Papatoetoe High School head.
"They might be able to get into some universities like that butcertainly at Auckland, there's noguarantee."
Principals at several high schools warned students of possible future restrictions at assemblies or through newsletters.
Equivalent fulltime students at public tertiary education providers grew from 167,514 in 1996 to 228,469 last year - 124,990 were at a university, 76,039 at a polytechnic or institute of technology, 23,676 at a wananga and 3764 at a college of education.
The Tertiary Education Commission's acting policy director Peter Palmer said funding changes affected all tertiary education providers and aimed to align courses with social and economic goals.
The Government's major policy change shifted from an unconstrained funding system based primarily on student numbers and instead focused on "educational outcomes" set in a three-year plan, he said.
Mr Palmer said the needs of the community and future employers will be worked into each university's investment plan.
"It is important to note that the changes do not decrease the number of places in universities that government funds.
"The Government's strategy is aimed at increasing the numberof students that gain a universityeducation," he said
