5 Sep 2012

Otago University to take more international students

10:24 pm on 5 September 2012

The University of Otago is set to lift its cap on international students after pressure from the Tertiary Education Minister.

The Dunedin tertiary institution has been rebuilding its foreign-fee paying intake since it slumped in 2009.

International students now account for just less than the university's self-imposed limit of 12% of its student body, at 11.8%.

The minister, Steven Joyce, says the cap is too low and should be lifted to at least 16%, or even 20%, if New Zealand is to meet the goal of doubling the economic value of international education to $5 billion by 2025.

Otago's Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) Sarah Todd says the university has heard the Government's call and a recommendation is going to the governing council to lift the cap to 15%.

However, Professor Todd says no international student has ever been turned away because of the cap and the university wants to make sure the student mix is right for Dunedin.