Higher Education in Manitoba - Access

Access

In 2009-2010, 91% of undergraduate students at the University of Manitoba were born in Manitoba, 5% were born in another Canadian province or territory, and 4% had moved from abroad for the purpose of study. In total, 1,900 were self-declared First Nations (University of Manitoba).

From 2006 to 2010, enrolment at the University of Manitoba slowly increased. Current trends indicate that this slow growth should continue over the next few years. The number of female students continues to be slightly higher than the number of male students enrolled in both full- and part-time programs at the University of Manitoba.

The retention rate in 2008-2009 of full-time, first-year students at the University of Manitoba was 84.7%. 91% of students graduating in 2009 reported that they were satisfied with their decision to attend the University, a rate slightly higher than the national average of 87% (Canadian University Survey Consortium 2009 Graduating Students Survey, as reported by the University of Manitoba.

An earlier survey based on the Class of 1984 reported that Manitoba graduates were as satisfied with their jobs as other graduates nationally, and in fact experienced higher rates of employment and some higher salaries than the national averages. Almost all Manitoba graduates were still living in the province at the time of the survey (Manitoba Department of Education, 1986).

In 2004, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) reported that Manitoba had gained the top spot in overall provincial rankings of equity, quality, accountability, and accessibility, demonstrating a “consistent commitment to higher education as a share of total provincial expenditures, in fostering high employment and income parity among male and female graduates, and in limiting downloading of costs onto students” (CCPA, 2004, p. 3)

According to government figures, student enrolment had increased by 30% at university level and 25% at college level between 1999 and 2004, outpacing other provinces (CCPA, 2004, p. 47).

Aboriginal post-secondary participation has been increasing during the past decade and is currently estimated at community colleges to be almost the same as for the general population of Manitoba, there are fewer participants at university level. It is estimated that Aboriginal students now constitute 7% of university enrolments, 17% of college enrolments, and 17% of all active apprentices in Manitoba (Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, 2008). However, secondary school dropout rates among Aboriginal students remain disproportionately high. Although a relatively high proportion of Manitoba's population is Aboriginal, (15.5% in 2006) of all the provinces, Manitoba has the lowest percentage of Aboriginal youth attending school. In 1996, only 44.1% of Aboriginal youth were attending school full or part-time. Two of the goals of the Bridging Two Worlds: Aboriginal Education and Employment Action Plan 2008-2011 were: to increase student engagement and high school completion; and, to improve access to and success in adult learning, including post-secondary education and training.

ACCESS provides specialized programs with funding to residents from under-represented groups who have faced barriers to post-secondary education. Such individuals include First Nations, the physically challenged, females, single parents, and immigrants. COPSE reported that, between 1999/00 and 2009/10, 3,706 new students enrolled in ACCESS programs with an average of 337 new students per year (COPSE, 2011).