Study Program Capacity (Daya Tampung): Reading the Seat Number
Definition
Daya tampung is the maximum number of new students that a study program admits in one intake. For IUP, it is the IUP seat quota for that study program, published in the admission brochure or portal for the current cycle. It is not the number of applicants, the number of registrants, or the final class size after withdrawals.
Core rules and concepts
- Capacity is set per study program, not as one university-wide figure.
- IUP capacity is separate from the regular-program capacity in the same department.
- The figure can change from cycle to cycle, so last year's number is only a guide.
- Capacity alone says little about difficulty; it must be compared with the number of applicants.
- A program may open, close, or adjust IUP seats depending on faculty policy.
Worked example
Program A publishes 30 IUP seats and receives 600 applicants, giving 20 applicants per seat. Program B publishes 20 seats and receives 200 applicants, giving 10 applicants per seat. Program B is less selective by ratio even though it has fewer seats. The reasoning is that competition is applicants divided by capacity, not capacity by itself.
Traps that cost marks
Assuming a larger capacity always means easier admission; using a previous cycle's capacity for the current cycle; confusing IUP capacity with regular-program capacity; and treating the published seat number as a guaranteed class size. Also watch for a capacity figure that applies to the whole faculty rather than one study program.