Applications to Ontario universities for the fall of 2008 rose 4.8 % over the previous year, continuing a pattern of year-over-year increases, which have been building for a decade in Ontario, beginning even before the double cohort of students applied.

“Increased funding from the Ontario government’s Reaching Higher plan in 2005 has made university education more accessible for students,” said Dr. Paul Genest, President of the Council of Ontario Universities. “Demand is also driven by the increasing recognition that more jobs in the knowledge economy will require a university education – by some estimates 70 % of jobs will require a degree in future.”

Ontario students are not only driving up university enrolment rates, they are also boosting student participation rates as a growing number of them choose to apply and participate in university education to secure better career opportunities.

“This is good news for the province, which needs more knowledge workers to add value to our future economic growth through innovation and new business activity,” said Genest. “At the same time, it puts pressure for a robust response. We have to provide faculty to teach these students and places for them.”

He indicated that “universities are collaborating with the provincial government to ensure that the education and research provided by our world-class network of universities is strategic not only to the students but also to the province as a whole.”

There were 83,381 secondary school applicants for the fall of 2008 compared to 79,568 last year, a 4.8 % rise but a significant addition of 38.6% since 2001, when there were 60,164 secondary school applicants.

Since students apply to more than one university, total university applications reached a total of 368,749 applications, compared to 350,759 in the previous year, which was a 5.1% increase. The number of applications exceeded expectations this year as it has in each of the past three years. It is important to note that the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre is still processing applications.

“The increased demand for university education is encouraging but the sector will need help to maintain the quality of the learning experience for students educated for the knowledge economy,” said Genest. “Universities provide an excellent preparation for the labour market with 92 % of university graduates employed six months after graduation and 97 % after two years.”

-30-

For further information:

Dr. Paul C. Genest
416- 979-2165 ext. 256