University of Regina sees another year of student growth

October 20, 2017

It is officially the ninth consecutive year of increased growth at the University of Regina. There are 15,276 students registered for classes, up 2.9% from last year. There is a corresponding increase of 2.9% in the number of credit hours taken from last year.

“Over the last 9 years our enrolment has grown by an incredible 31%, and the University is continuing to attract more students not only from Saskatchewan, but also from across Canada and around the world,” says Dr. Vianne Timmons, University President and Vice-Chancellor. “In order to continue to attract students we need to offer a high quality educational experience, but we also need to be competitive with other post-secondary institutions. Our strategic plan helps us to achieve these goals by recognizing student success as one of our three strategic priorities. We continue to focus our resources on areas that directly affect the student experience.”

New tenure-track teaching positions in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, the Faculty of Arts (Department of Economics), and the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy are helping to address the significant and sustained increases in enrolment in these areas.  The University ranks 21 out of 59 English Universities in Canada in terms of affordability, and among comprehensive universities ranks second in student financial support as a percentage of tuition.

The number of self-declared First Nation, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) students has continued to grow. In total 1,943 Indigenous students are registered for classes, an increase of 0.6% over 2016 and an increase of 91% since 2010. The University is providing increasing support to Aboriginal students through the Aboriginal Student Centre, which aids in the transition to post-secondary education through unique programming and mentorship opportunities.

International students, whose enrolment rate increased by 4.6%, now constitute 14.2% of the student population. Of particular note is the significant increase of 10.4% in international graduate students who comprise 30.7% of our graduate student body.

“Our strategic focus on supporting research has led to increasing international recognition of our research strengths, making the University a desirable place for graduate students,” Timmons said.  “Further, our efforts to support student success through programs such as the UR Guarantee, and experiential learning opportunities through co-operative education, practicum placements, and internships are valued by both students and employers.”

The UR Guarantee program has enjoyed the largest intake in its 8-year history, with 480 new admissions this semester. Approximately 1,800 students are registered in the program, which provides students with access to critical academic, leadership, and service opportunities throughout their undergraduate study. Eligible students who complete the program can take another year of classes (30 credit hours) for free if they are unable to secure a job in their field within six months of graduation.

The University places more co-operative education and internship students (over 50 programs) than all other Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions combined. In 2016, approximately 900 students made $9 million in wages through the co-operative education program.

The enrolment data discussed above reflects the number of students enrolled in classes as of the end of the 4th week of classes, which is also the end of the University’s 50 per cent tuition refund period.

About The University of Regina

The University of Regina—with campuses located on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories, the ancestral lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, and Lakota nations and the homeland of the Métis—is a comprehensive, mid-sized university that traces its roots back to the creation of Regina College in 1911. Today, more than 15,000 students study within the University’s 10 faculties, 25 academic departments/schools, 18 research centres and institutes, and three federated colleges (Campion College, First Nations University of Canada, and Luther College). The University of Regina has an established reputation for excellence and innovative programs that lead to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. In 2017, the University of Regina was ranked in the Top 200 Best Young Universities in the world by Times Higher Education.

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Contact:

Everett Dorma
External Relations
Everett.Dorma@uregina.ca
Phone: 306-337-8451
Cell: 306-565-8608
Fax: 306-585-5661

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