Enrolment in science and technology programs has increased dramatically at Carleton in the last several years, while Carleton’s overall enrolment has increased only slightly, according to data from the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.
Programs showing the most growth are science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM programs. While the university’s enrolment is on a slow increase, enrolment in these programs has grown massively every year.
There has been a 66 per cent increase in students studying science in the last 10 years, with an eight per cent increase last year alone.
There are also more students studying engineering, with a 52.5 per cent increase in the same 10-year period.
Carleton’s overall enrolment numbers are on a slight upswing, with a steadily increasing number of students in the last 15 years.
Although enrolment for the 2014-15 level increased, applications for the next academic year declined. But, this doesn’t necessarily spell bad news, according to Suzanne Blanchard, vice-president (students and enrolment).
“Carleton applications had a small decline but it is less than the Ontario system, meaning Carleton has been more successful at attracting a larger portion of the applicant pool,” Blanchard said in an email. “Carleton’s first choice applications from OUAC have not declined—they have stayed the same since last year.”
Blanchard also noted that other application numbers, like international students, have increased.
“Carleton also receives applications from other types of applicants and international applicants. These applications have increased,” Blanchard said.
“Given the decline in Ontario applicants, the competition has increased significantly,” she said. “Carleton has added new programs like Child Studies, the Bachelor of Cognitive Science, the Bachelor of Health Sciences, and the Bachelor of Global and International Studies. These programs are attractive to prospective students.”
At a Board of Governors meeting Jan. 29, Blanchard said Carleton had met its first “milestone” which was total number of students applying through the OUAC portal. There have been more than 500 applicants to the Bachelor of Global Studies program already, she said at the meeting.
Yet, since many universities in Canada—including Carleton—draw the majority of their students from the Greater Toronto Area, Blanchard said there is more competition between universities for new students, especially as there will be fewer students graduating high school in Ontario over the next few years than there have been in previous years.
Enrolment in the arts and social sciences is showing no signs of growth, but fluctuates every year. While it has decreased less than one per cent in the past ten years, the number of Carleton arts and social science students is on par with where they were in the 2008-09 academic year.
Last summer, the Ontario government asked universities to specialize in certain programs to streamline funding and to create differentiation between schools and programs. Carleton is pushing its health sciences, aerospace engineering, and other specialized engineering programs.
There is also a huge student demand for STEM programs, with many students choosing the programs for their better job prospects.
Michael Forget is a third-year mechanical engineering student, who said Carleton’s program is a great fit.
“It’s great. I mean, I never tried anyone else’s, but it’s good,” Forget said.
With STEM program demand increasing, Carleton is working to keep up.
“The STEM academic departments are working closely with Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Services to ensure Carleton is equipped to deal with the increased demand for these programs,” Blanchard said. “Carleton has very strong STEM programs and is happy to see growth in these areas.”
