Programme Entry, Continuation and Exclusion - OPBD Procedure

To provide operational procedures relating to the entry, continuation, and exclusion of ākonga regardless of delivery modality at the Otago Polytechnic Business Division of Te Pūkenga.

Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

Education and Training Act 2020 and

Education and Training Amendment Act 2021

Tertiary Education Commission Funding Conditions By Year

1. Selection, application, and entry to programmes of study – refer to TKM, Enquiries, information and identify verification, Section 2A, Provide- based learning application for ākonga nō Aotearoa, Section 2C, Provider-based learning enrolment for ākonga nō Aotearoa, Section 2D and Provider-based learning for Ākonga nō tāwāhi, Section 2F.

1.1. Ākonga are eligible to be admitted to programmes of study where they meet all entry requirements.  Ākonga may be refused entry if:

• they do not meet the published entry requirements.
• they have criminal convictions that would prevent them from meeting the requirements of an external registration or licensing body or meeting the requirements for work placements.
• they do not meet immigration and visa.

1.2. Heads of College/or equivalent have delegated authority to manage ākonga entry into programmes of study according to the entry criteria in the approved programme documents.

1.3. In all cases when an applicant is refused entry to a programme of study, they will be referred to Learner Success for career guidance and study support to ensure their next application is successful.

2. Progression – refer to TKM, Progress, Section 5.2

2.1 The Head of College/or equivalent manages ākonga; cancellation of enrolment and exclusion requires approval from the Executive Director/or equivalent or Te Kaihāpai/or equivalent.

2.4.  Without exception ākonga (referred to in Clause 1.3) will be provided with Learner Success career guidance and support to ensure they are assisted in continuing their current study or in the future study.

3. Temporary Suspensions

3.1 If ākonga performance or participation in any off-site excursion, practical, or work experience/placement is, unsatisfactory for whatever reason, Otago Polytechnic Business Division (OPBD) may temporarily prevent them from attending an off-site excursion, practical, or work experience/placement, and OPBD’s relevant procedures will be instigated. Other reasons for temporary suspensions are detailed in the Learner Rights and Responsibilities.

4. Exclusions

4.1 Ākonga may be refused entry to a programme of study/course/s if they have previously been refused entry or excluded from an OPBD programme of study/course/s or have been refused entry or excluded by another Te Pūkenga Business Division or another education provider.  

4.1.1 Any excluded ākonga who wishes to apply for permission to re-enrol shall seek approval in writing to submit an application to enrol in further study to OPBD Academic Registry before the official enrolment date in the programme of study/course/s for which they seek admission.

4.1.2 Otago Polytechnic Business Division shall make the decision on whether any particular ākonga who has been excluded may be permitted to re-enrol and may impose conditions on the re-enrolment to help ensure the ākonga has a reasonable chance of success in the programme of study/course/s.

4.1.3 When applying for re-enrolment, ākonga will need to satisfy OPBD that, as a result of study or other activity in the intervening period, they have made efforts to improve their chances of success in subsequent studies.

4.2     All exclusions must be authorised by the Executive Director/or equivalent or Te Kaihāpai/or equivalent.

Te Pūkenga Policies

• Te Pūkenga Kaupapa-here Ākonga Concerns and Complaints Policy
• Te Pūkenga Kaupapa-here Ākonga Appeals Policy
• Te Pūkenga Delegations Policy (effective 1^st July 2023).

Otago Polytechnic Policies

• Ākonga / Learner Discipline– OPBD Procedure

Reference Documents

• Learner Rights and Responsibilities of Learners

 Delegation of Procedures

• Heads of College/or equivalent are delegated the authority to manage ākonga processes for selection and entry.
• Only the Executive Director/or equivalent or Te Kaihāpai/or equivalent has the authority to exclude ākonga.

Policy Version: V5;