Many universities face enrolment declines, while some colleges see increases

Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) statistics for 2014–15 show an overall 2.8% decline in high-school direct enrolments, from 72,680 in September 2013 to 70,589 this year.  Still, some individual institutions saw significant increases, notably the University of Guelph-Humber (a hybrid college-university), which saw a 19.3% increase in direct enrolments, and Western University, which saw an increase of 11.1%. Non-direct enrolments across Ontario universities increased, in part to compensate, from 21,966 in September 2013 to 22,981 this year. These figures include a 26.5% increase at uOttawa, a 28.2% increase at Brescia, and a 13.6% increase at Guelph-Humber. Enrolment has also declined at two Manitoba universities: the Winnipeg Free Press reports that total numbers are down at both uManitoba and uWinnipeg, although international enrolments are at an all-time high. On the other hand, the University of Regina reported an enrolment increase for the sixth consecutive year, and Red River College reports a 4.3% increase in full-time enrolment this year. Some Ontario colleges have likewise reported enrolment increases: St Lawrence College says that it has hit an all-time high enrolment of 7,000 students, while St Clair College says that it will surpass 8,500 full-time students this year. Fleming College has also reported an increase of 3%. OUAC Data | Winnipeg Free Press | Windsor Star | SLC News Release | RRC News Release | Fleming News Release | uRegina News Release