trends-2011-vol1-enrolment-e
trends-2011-vol1-enrolment-e
trends-2011-vol1-enrolment-e
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Drivers of change<br />
Projecting future <strong>enrolment</strong> levels, even over a relatively short<br />
period, is difficult to do with great precision. The factors that<br />
push and pull <strong>enrolment</strong> sometimes work in concert and at other<br />
times work to offset the influence of one another. They include<br />
changes in local, regional, national and international demography,<br />
as well as changes in the factors that influence the demand for a<br />
university education, including individual and societal perceptions<br />
of the value of a degree.<br />
Changes in the size and composition of youth and other cohorts<br />
attracted to university will also play a role in driving future <strong>enrolment</strong><br />
levels. In addition to the factors listed above, <strong>enrolment</strong> is also<br />
affected by labour market demand for highly qualified graduates,<br />
parental education and socio-economic status, urbanization,<br />
immigration and international students.<br />
Enrolment is not a true<br />
measure of demand<br />
for university education.<br />
It is simply a measure<br />
of the amount of<br />
demand that is met.<br />
Enrolment is only a measure of the degree to which demand<br />
for university education is met. Consequently, it is also necessary<br />
to consider factors that affect universities’ capacity to meet this<br />
demand and absorb new students. Examples of these factors<br />
include government policies that influence the availability of<br />
human and physical resources (technology and space) needed to<br />
provide high-quality learning experiences for students, as well<br />
as opportunities for internships, co-op experiences and interaction<br />
with students from a broad array of cultures in an ever-expanding<br />
global environment.<br />
AUCC<br />
Trends in Higher Education | Volume 1. Enrolment | 23