UPEI enrolment holding steady

The University of Prince Edward Island is maintaining its student enrolment levels in a highly competitive environment for Maritime universities. Statistics from the 2006–07 academic year just released by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission show declining enrolments at most major universities across the region but an overall increase at UPEI. Its enrolment numbers grew for full- and part-time undergraduates, international students, and graduate students.

“We’re up in all four categories and we’re very pleased about that,” says Dr. Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development and Acting Registrar. “But we know we can’t afford to be complacent. It is a very competitive environment right now.”

Dr. Timmons noted that the University of Prince Edward Island has placed a strong emphasis on scholarship growth in recent years to help attract and retain students. The University now offers $2.5 million in scholarships and prizes annually. UPEI staff work with PEI high schools to assist students to apply for internal and external scholarships. Last year’s 10 per cent decrease in tuition rates also made UPEI very competitive. It now has one of the lowest tuition rates in the region.

“We are working extremely hard in every way we can to ensure that we remain the university of choice at a time when demographics are changing and there are fewer high school students available,” said Dr. Timmons.

UPEI has been introducing more graduate programs in recent years and has implemented a successful strategy to attract more international students. By 2010, the university expects that international students will make up 10 per cent of the student population.

MPHEC enrolment tables are available online.