Tracking the Trends

—From the desk of Brier Albano, Associate Vice-President, Student Success 

As we settle into the winter term, we’re getting a clearer picture of where Selkirk College stands with enrolment for the 2025/26 academic year. Winter admissions added roughly 260 new students, contributing to a steady rise in our overall numbers.

Domestic Enrolment Trends

From December to now, domestic full-time equivalent (FTE) enrolments increased by about 105, bringing total domestic growth to approximately 350 FTEs since the start of September. These numbers align well with our expectations for the year. Much of this growth is still attributable to a strong fall intake, which created a solid foundation for the winter term. 
 
We have a few admission intakes remaining before the fiscal year ends in March. We will complete final FTE tallies and government reporting in April, after year-end reconciliation.

International Enrolment Trends

We continue to welcome international students in the winter at a slower pace than our higher-than-expected numbers in the fall. Over the same period, domestic FTEs rose by 105, while international FTEs increased by 42.7 FTEs. This growth is positive, though more modest than earlier in the year. 
 
As always, it’s important to remember that FTE—full-time equivalent—measures student registration load, not headcount. Small shifts in student course load can have noticeable impacts on our totals. For international students, increases can be driven by students keen to graduate from their programs and enter the Canadian workforce.

Looking Ahead

With remaining admission windows still open, we anticipate closing out the year right on target with spring 2025 projections. Strong domestic performance, paired with international enrolment consistent with our best estimates last spring, puts us in the position we anticipated as we prepare our year-end reporting. 
 
We expect to continue refining our enrolment picture as we move toward April. For now, the winter numbers reflect a healthy and steady trajectory for Selkirk College as we continue to adapt to federal policy changes.