Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Degree of success

UNIVERSITY students received a record number of bachelor's and masters degrees in 2001 as the overall level of degrees, certificates and diplomas granted by universities rose for the third straight year.

Overall, universities granted 178,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates in 2001, up nearly 1% from 2000, and just shy of the record high of 178,100 set in 1996.

More than half the students awarded a degree, diploma or certificate in 2001 were women, with a record amount receiving a bachelor’s or masters degree.

Men outnumbered women only in the area of earned doctorates. However, the number of men receiving doctorates declined significantly since 1996, while the number of women rose substantially.

The restructuring of Canada's economy over the past 25 years has had a clear impact on labour market requirements and the demand for a university education.

Entry level jobs

Many more entry level jobs in today's economy require higher postsecondary qualifications than in the past, which might explain some shifts in university qualifications granted.

Despite a slight dip in the number of doctorates, graduate level qualifications increased significantly between 1996 and 2001 to a record high. Undergraduate qualifications, meanwhile, declined during that period.

Since 1996, the number of qualifications has declined in education, social and behavioural sciences and law; health, parks, recreation and fitness; and humanities.

However, the number of qualifications awarded increased in business, management and public administration, and in mathematics, computer and information sciences. Most qualifications in 2001 were awarded in those fields of study.

For more information, contact Sylvie Bonhomme (613-951-5366), Centre for Education Statistics.

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© 2004, 2005 Statistics Canada.