University of Saskatchewan enrolment stable
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 12, 2013 SASKATOON - The first day of classes saw the total enrolment at the U of S remain stable at 20,726 students.
By University Communications
Compared to last year, this year's total enrolment figure is down about 80 students (or 0.38 per cent), in all degree and non-degree programs, explained Russell Isinger, university registrar.
"We expect variation year to year, and while we've seen a small decrease this year, we do consider this year's enrolment figure to be quite stable," said Isinger. "This provides us with a preliminary snapshot of enrolment to give us an idea of trends prior to our October census day when we gather official numbers."
Some of the trends that the numbers reveal are that graduate student enrolment (2,795) is up close to five per cent this year, while total undergrads (16,937) are down by 1.14 per cent compared to last year.
The overall numbers of international and out-of province undergraduate students are up 1.44 per cent and 3.84 per cent respectively, Isinger said.
"We have recruited more actively in western Canada and internationally over the last five years, and that helps to explain those increases. We're especially excited to see enrolment of first-time Alberta students in direct entry programs is up by more than 24 per cent."
There was a decrease of ten first-time international undergraduates in direct entry programs, which Isinger attributes in part to the foreign service job action that is delaying some international students from getting study visas. "The full extent of this won't be known until census day as more international students may have to withdraw if they cannot secure visas shortly."
One area that Isinger explained as positive has to do with self-declaration of Aboriginal students.
"Over the past year, we introduced new business processes to better collect Aboriginal self-declarations," he said. "There are already 1,728 self-declared Aboriginal students, one of our highest totals ever, and this number typically increases by census day."
This, he cautioned, does not necessarily mean that the U of S is attracting substantially more Aboriginal students, just that the university is making it easier for Aboriginal students to self-declare.
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For more information, contact:
Meghan Sired, Communications Coordinator
University of Saskatchewan
mailto:meghan.sired@usask.ca
306-381-7992
"We expect variation year to year, and while we've seen a small decrease this year, we do consider this year's enrolment figure to be quite stable," said Isinger. "This provides us with a preliminary snapshot of enrolment to give us an idea of trends prior to our October census day when we gather official numbers."
Some of the trends that the numbers reveal are that graduate student enrolment (2,795) is up close to five per cent this year, while total undergrads (16,937) are down by 1.14 per cent compared to last year.
The overall numbers of international and out-of province undergraduate students are up 1.44 per cent and 3.84 per cent respectively, Isinger said.
"We have recruited more actively in western Canada and internationally over the last five years, and that helps to explain those increases. We're especially excited to see enrolment of first-time Alberta students in direct entry programs is up by more than 24 per cent."
There was a decrease of ten first-time international undergraduates in direct entry programs, which Isinger attributes in part to the foreign service job action that is delaying some international students from getting study visas. "The full extent of this won't be known until census day as more international students may have to withdraw if they cannot secure visas shortly."
One area that Isinger explained as positive has to do with self-declaration of Aboriginal students.
"Over the past year, we introduced new business processes to better collect Aboriginal self-declarations," he said. "There are already 1,728 self-declared Aboriginal students, one of our highest totals ever, and this number typically increases by census day."
This, he cautioned, does not necessarily mean that the U of S is attracting substantially more Aboriginal students, just that the university is making it easier for Aboriginal students to self-declare.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Meghan Sired, Communications Coordinator
University of Saskatchewan
mailto:meghan.sired@usask.ca
306-381-7992