“Our enrolment numbers continue to be strong in an increasingly competitive environment, which speaks to the excellent reputation of our university provincially, nationally and internationally” said Alison Pickrell, assistant vice-provost, strategic enrolment management.
The number of self-declared Indigenous students choosing to attend the U of S jumped to 3,119 in the 2017-2018 academic year.
“Indigenous students from Canada now make up approximately 12 per cent of our overall student population, and a full 14 per cent of our undergraduates,” said Pickrell. “The U of S is committed to fostering a welcoming environment that is grounded in the principles of reconciliation, and I am pleased that so many Indigenous students have chosen this university as a place to pursue their postsecondary education.”
According to Pickrell, of the Indigenous students enrolled, 60 per cent indicated they were First Nations, 39 per cent Métis, and 1 per cent Inuit. She also reported there were 3,084 international students registered in the last academic year (down by 0.5 per cent from the 2016/17 academic year), and 4,395 students obtained a U of S credential in the 2017 calendar year (up 1.2 per cent).
Pickrell said strategic enrolment planning is underway and revised enrolment goals will be released after the rollout of the university’s new plan. Although the enrolment plan is still being finalized, Pickrell said the university has signalled a strategic growth agenda, with total university enrolment reaching 27,000 to 28,000 students by 2025.
“We are well positioned to serve the needs of this province and the growing population of Saskatoon,” said Pickrell. “Our colleges are looking at new program opportunities, expanded off campus and distance delivery options, and maximizing capacity within existing degree programs. These continued developments will also make the U of S an attractive place nationally and internationally.”
For more enrolment information, view the U of S academic year snapshot report.