Source: Montreal Gazette | January 12, 2014
Enrolment is up this year at Quebec’s universities despite predictions from the province’s ministry of higher education of a downward trend, reports the Montreal Gazette. Following student protests over tuition fees and a recent $250-million funding cut over 2 years, the province’s universities have seen enrolment increases over the last 5 years of 8.6% to 13%. However, Université du Québec a Montréal Vice-Rector Diane Demers warns that “demographic trends in Quebec suggest a decline in student populations at universities over the next seven years.” Meanwhile, uOttawa economist Ross Finnie says, “While the underlying demographics are working to push enrolment rates down, participation rates continue to rise. Going forward, it depends which of those forces will dominate.”
TCS Insights: The number of students in Quebec universities is on the rise, indicating the growing strength of post-secondary institutions in the province. This data also shows while some have suggested enrolment numbers will decrease, universities in Quebec remain a serious consideration for students.