Sharp increase in part-time enrolment seen amid pandemic
First day numbers are in, and though subject to change, they show that Fall 2020 enrolment at the University of Manitoba is at a higher level than this time in 2019, largely due to a notable increase in part-time students.
Part time enrolment at the University of Manitoba has increased sharply in these uncertain times, up 18.2 per cent from 4,084 to 4,828 students in 2020.
Overall enrolment for the first day of classes is 30,888, up from 29,793 in Fall Term 2019, an increase of 3.7 per cent.
Full-time enrolment is up 1.4 per cent, from 25,709 students in 2019 to 26,060 students in 2020.
In particular, the Faculties of Arts and Education both saw increases of 8.4 per cent in enrolment, while the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources saw an increase of 14.1 per cent. The Faculty of Science had an increase of 10.6 per cent, while the Asper School of Business had an increase of 4.8 per cent.
Indigenous enrolment increased from 2,426 students in Fall Term 2019 to 2,537 students in Fall Term 2020, an increase of 4.6 per cent.
“Even during these uncertain times, more students are registering for courses because they want to secure a meaningful future for themselves,” says UM President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Michael Benarroch. “The University of Manitoba is prepared for the challenge, and takes the responsibility to help students achieve their goals very seriously. A huge collective effort is being made to deliver the best possible learning under challenging circumstances and to align opportunities for students with labour market needs. Our faculty are demonstrating their commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences, regardless of the situation.”
Undergraduate enrolment increased 4.2 per cent, from 25,613 students in Fall Term 2019 to 26,679 students in Fall Term 2020, while graduate enrolment increased by 1.1 per cent.
International enrolment increased from 5,811 students in Fall Term 2019 to 6,249 students in Fall Term 2020, an increase of 7.5 per cent.
Undergraduate student credit hours were up 4.5 per cent from 281,171 in Fall Term 2019 to 293,874 in Fall Term 2020. Distance and Online Education credit hours, excluding remote-learning, increased 29.0 per cent, from 31,638 credit hours in Fall Term 2019 to 40,799 credit hours in Fall Term 2020.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most on-campus courses have shifted to delivery through remote-learning, with a small number of courses offered in person. These changes will have varying effects on faculties, colleges, and schools, and will affect the comparability of some year-over-year figures.