Back to school 2017 quick facts
Preparing Canada’s next generation of leaders
More than one million students are heading to our university campuses this fall, where they will gain the skills and knowledge to reach their potential in our rapidly changing world.
Through hands-on research experiences, work-integrated learning, new technological tools and innovative approaches to classroom learning, they’ll gain a 21st century education.
A degree in discovery
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1/4participate in faculty research
One quarter of undergraduate students work with faculty on research. These experiences ignite students’ passion for discovery and hone problem-solving skills.
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70%satisfaction with learning beyond classroom
Students said they were satisfied or very satisfied with opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, including undergraduate research, service-learning and student exchanges.
Employment and entrepreneurship
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1.6Mnew jobs
Between March 2008 and March 2017, 1,574,200 new jobs were created for university graduates – almost three times those created for graduates of all other types of postsecondary education combined.
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70%growth in salary
Social sciences and humanities grads' salaries increased more than 70% on average over the eight-year period after graduation – similar to engineering and science grads.
Going global
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3.1%study abroad
Only 3.1% of students, or about 11% of students over the course of a degree, undertake an international mobility experience (including exchanges, internships, co-op placements and volunteer opportunities).
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80%see career benefit
More than 80% of employers that hire recruits with cross-cultural understanding and knowledge of the global marketplace say these employees enhance their company’s competitiveness.
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97%offer international experiences
The majority of universities offer their students international experiences such as academic coursework, field schools, volunteer work, research abroad and foreign work experience.
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175Kinternational students in Canada
Enrolment has more than doubled from 83,000 in 2006 to more than 175,000 in 2016, with an average annual growth rate of 7% over this period.
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$15.5Beconomic impact
In 2016, international students, including their visiting families and friends, spent $15.5 billion on tuition, accommodation and discretionary spending – more than Canada’s exports of auto parts, lumber or aircraft.
Reconciliation through education
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71%increasing Indigenous leadership
Well over two-thirds of Canada’s universities are working to include Indigenous representation within their governance or leadership structures.
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78%offering intercultural engagement
Seventy-eight percent of universities promote intercultural engagement through cultural activities, events, talking circles and cultural competency or reconciliation training.
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70%advancing reconciliation
Close to 70% of universities have or are developing strategic plans for advancing reconciliation.
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65%Indigenizing research
Two-thirds of universities are incorporating Indigenous knowledge, methods and protocols into research and teaching policies, programs and practices.
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1.4%earning advanced degrees
Only 1.4% of Indigenous Canadians between 25 and 34 years old have obtained a master’s or doctorate degree compared to 6.4% of non-Indigenous Canadians of the same age group.
