Enrolments for several courses and departments had already exceeded the number of places budgeted for the entire year, marketing, communications and customer relations general manager Mike Waddell said yesterday.
Tertiary institutions are only funded for a capped number of students.
Because Otago Polytechnic had courses which began on various dates throughout the year, enrolments later in the year might have to be reduced, he said.
"If this trend carries on there is a high probability we will have to limit enrolments later."
As of Monday, enrolments were better in most programmes compared with the same time last year, he said.
Enrolments in health programmes were 245 ahead, with strong enrolments in hospitality, art, vet nursing, hospitality and information computer technology.
About 300 applications were received for the 120 first-year nursing places available, Mr Waddell said.
Places were limited because of staffing ratios, classroom capacity and clinical work placement requirements.
Two degree programmes being offered for the first time this year were also more popular than expected.
Twenty-one places had been allocated for the bachelor of applied science (physical activity, health and wellness) degree but, as of Monday, 27 people had enrolled.
Mr Waddell said more students could still be accepted and numbers might reach 30-35 by the time classes began in two weeks' time.
Interest in the new bachelor of engineering technology degree had also been strong, with 27 students enrolling already, one more than predicted.
Students were still being enrolled in most programmes, he said.
A small number of students who enrolled did not turn up when classes began, and staff were also often able to reallocate places from less popular programmes to more popular areas.
Asked why he thought enrolments were higher this year, Mr Waddell said it could be down to several factors, including more awareness about capped rolls and the need to enrol early, and a weak economy with high unemployment rates for young people.
"People realise they need skills to get a better job and might be looking to do that," he said.
A University of Otago spokeswoman said yesterday it was too early yet to discuss enrolment trends there.
This year, for the first time, the university expects to have to limit enrolments and has introduced a two-tier system based primarily on academic results while at secondary school.
