What is Open Entry ?

In many respects New Zealand's system of university education is based on what is known as open entry. The opposite to this is often referred to as restricted entry.

Open entry can be interpreted in different ways. According to Dr Alan Johns, Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), if it was to be interpreted as meaning that a student can go to a tertiary institution of his or her choice and also take the course of his or her choice then open entry does not exist in New Zealand.

However, if the situation is that students can go to a tertiary institution of their choice but may have to accept taking the second or third choice of courses then open entry does not exist.

It is the second interpretation which tends to be accepted and applied in New Zealand. In other words, open entry should be seen as being on a continuum. There are degrees of "openness". Hence while open entry exists it is not absolute. Within it there are cases of restricted entry.

In New Zealand the relationship between the degrees of open and restricted entry is not a fixed one. It wavers and in a time of fiscal cuts in education spending the relationship can be expected to waver in favour of restricted entry.