SASKATOON – The latest University of Saskatchewan (USask) enrolment numbers are in and for the first time in the institution’s history, enrolment reached and then passed 26,000.
Between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022, the number of students who attended USask totaled 26,155, which is an overall increase of 0.8 per cent from the previous year.
“Our latest enrolment numbers tell me the challenges of the pandemic are lessening and our students are eager to join us in person to learn, connect and pursue their academic goals,” said Pirita Mattola, interim director of strategic enrolment management. “I look forward to welcoming more students to our campuses this fall, and to continue our plan for enrolment growth in the coming years.”
During the 2021-22 academic year, enrolment increased in the four major areas of study at USask: undergraduate (0.6 per cent increase), graduate (1.5 per cent increase), non-degree (0.3 per cent increase) and medical residence (2.3 per cent increase).
According to Mattola, international student enrolment jumped up by 7.7 per cent, back to pre-pandemic levels, and, Indigenous student enrolment, with a total of 3,374 students, continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
“The pandemic has affected different students in different ways, and I understand some of the impacts could be prolonged or even delayed,” said Mattola. “The pandemic continues to be an ongoing, ever-changing situation and so it is important that we consider how our students are affected and remain responsive to the changes in our environment.”
The top three countries undergraduate international students arrived from during the 2021-22 academic year are China, India and Nigeria, and the top three countries of international graduate students are Iran, China and India. Mattola noted the lifting of Canada’s travel restrictions has contributed positively to the increase in international student enrolment.
She said, although many USask classes were still being taught remotely during the 2021-22 academic year, some international students chose to travel to Canada to study. Internet access, time zone issues, and wanting to experience life in Canada were likely some of the top reasons for moving to Canada to study remotely.
Mattola continues to monitor enrolment for the current academic year (May 2022 – April 2023). USask will release first-day-of-fall-classes enrolment data in early September.
For more information about how USask is measuring and tracking its progress in fulfilling the goals and aspirations of the University Plan, visit the Reporting page on leadership.usask.ca.
