The Students Have Spoken: Which Universities Make the Grade?

The Globe and Mail's Canadian University Report 2011

TORONTO, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - Over 35,000 of Canada's undergraduate students representing 54 Canadian universities have evaluated their schools on the most important elements of post secondary education. The Globe and Mail's Canadian University Report 2011 grades Canada's best schools across the country on levels of satisfaction, class size and student-faculty interaction. As students and parents explore Canada's universities and faculties, this year's report provides special insight into careers and how to match your degree to a future profession. Presented in association with Higher Education Strategy Associates, The Canadian University Report 2011 is available in today's Globe and Mail and online at www.globecampus.ca.

This year's Report incorporated a 'personality test' designed to explore what undergrads thought about various aspects of their institution's "personality". Students were asked:

• Are the schools undergrad-focused or researched-inclined?
• Does your university have a diverse or homogenous student body?
• Academically, is your university nurturing and supportive, or encouraging of independence?
• Is your university innovative/open or cautious to new approaches and programs?

"The Canadian University Report 2011 provides tomorrow's students with the powerful knowledge they need to map their future careers today," explains Simon Beck, Editor of the Canadian University Report. "With so many choices and decisions to be made, the students have spoken out to provide the next generation with insights, examples and stepping stones to successful campus life, the right faculty choices and a guided tour to make the right choices about university."

Also new this year, The Canadian University Report showcases "Working Knowledge", a careers-oriented wealth of information designed to help students tailor their university search to complement their future employment goals. Created with the online careers resource Talent Egg, the report focuses on seven fields of study: Engineering and Technology, Arts and Humanities, Education, Sciences and Math, Health and Medical Sciences, Fine and Performing Arts and Business and Commerce. The new section draws from interviews with employers and recent graduates and details about how to turn your university degree into a career.

Arts and Humanities Highlights
Ignore the skeptics - arts and humanities degrees are a good career move. Employers know that these programs produce well-rounded learners, problem solvers and critical thinkers with the skill to succeed in many fields. Career suggestions in this field with a degree in arts and humanities include: a web writer for political campaign, account coordinator for a communications agency and a policy analyst.

Based on Arts/Humanities/Social Science undergrads response to:
Satisfaction with the quality of your education:

Large:   Medium:  Small:   Very Small:

Western Ontario, Ryerson, McGill, UBC, Waterloo Queen's, Guelph, Victoria, Wilfrid Laurier, Brock Mount Royal, Fraser Valley, St. Francis Xavier, UOIT, Nipissing Trinity Western, King's U. College (Edmonton), Redeemer U. College, Concordia U. College of Alberta, Mount Allison

Degree to which your feel your academic experience will prepare you for employment:

Large:   Medium:  Small:   Very Small:

Ryerson, Waterloo, Western Ontario, McGill, Manitoba Queen's, Sherbrooke, Guelph, Brock, Wilfrid Laurier Mount Royal, Fraser Valley, UOIT, Nipissing, St. Francis Xavier Concordia U. College of Alberta (Edmonton), Trinity Western, King's U. College, Huron U. College (Western Ontario),Redeemer U. College,

Business and Commerce Degrees
Practical business skills acquired through undergraduate business degrees are one of the most reliable foundations for employment. Business programs are a great springboard from students to peruse other disciplines, interests and passions. Career suggestions in this field with a degree in business and commerce include: a director of sales and a creative and strategic brand planner.

Based on Business and Commerce undergrads response to:
Satisfaction with the quality of their education:

Large: Medium:  Small:   Very Small:

Western Ontario, McGill, Waterloo, McMaster, Ryerson, Queen's, Wilfrid Laurier, Sherbrooke, Guelph, Brock St. Francis Xavier, Fraser Valley, Dalhousie, Lethbridge, Trent Trinity Western, Bishop's, Mount Saint Vincent, Vancouver Island, Acadia

Degree to which your feel your academic experience will prepare you for employment:

Large:   Medium:  Small:   Very Small:

Waterloo, Western Ontario, McGill, Ryerson, Concordia Queen's, Wilfrid Laurier, Sherbrooke, Guelph, Brock, Dalhousie, St. Francis Xavier, Saint Mary's Toronto-Mississauga, Fraser Valley Trinity Western, Mount Saint Vincent, Bishop's, Vancouver Island, Acadia

Who Tops Engineering?
Students who graduate from engineering or technology programs, particularly those with at least one co-op term, will find themselves well prepared for a rewarding a lucrative career. Engineers can focus their degree on a number of challenging fields such as, computer, electrical, and environmental engineering. Career suggestions in this field with a degree in engineering and technology include: a technical sales representative, a civil engineer, or an assistant estimator.

Based on engineering /tech undergrads response to:

Satisfaction with the quality of their education: 

Queen's Sherbrooke, UOIT, Saskatchewan, Western Ontario, Alberta, McMaster, Waterloo, McGill, New Brunswick

Degree to which your feel your academic experience will prepare you for employment:

Sherbrooke, Queen's Memorial, Waterloo, UOIT, Saskatchewan, Western Ontario, Alberta, McMaster, Simon Fraser

How satisfied are you with your school's laboratory and research equipment

UOIT, Sherbrooke, Queen's, Western Ontario, Alberta, McMaster, McGill, Toronto - St. George, Concordia, Saskatchewan

Additional highlights from the report:
Most Satisfied Students:
Large Universities (enrollment of 22,000+)

A   A-

University of Western Ontario McGill University

Medium (enrolment 12,000- 22,000)

A  A

University of Guelph Queen's University

Small (enrolment 4,000 - 12,000)

A   A

Grant MacEwan University Mount Royal University

Very Small (enrolment less than 4,000)

A   A

Bishop's University Redeemer University College

Quality of Education:
Large Universities (enrollment of 22,000+)

A   A-

University of Western Ontario McGill University

Medium (enrolment 12,000- 22,000)

A   A

University of Guelph Queen's University

Small (enrolment 4,000 - 12,000)

A   A

University of the Fraser Valley Grant MacEwan University

Very Small (enrolment less than 4,000)

A+   A+

The Kings University College Edmonton Trinity Western University

The complete report and results is available in today's newspaper and online at www.globecampus.ca.

Methodology: Overview
The Canadian University Report 2011 reflects the opinion of more than 35,000 current undergraduate students.  The results are derived from the answers to more than 100 questions.  A mean score for each university is calculated for each question based on the responses of students who attend that school.  Universities are assigned a letter grade that matches their mean scores.  For full details on the methodology and scoring, see the Canadian University Report 2011 or go to www.globecampus.ca/methodology.

The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, is a division of CTVglobemedia, a dynamic multi-media company, which also owns CTV Inc., Canada's number-one private broadcaster.

For further information:

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Jennifer Hills, 416-969-2669 [email protected]
Kristen Marano, 416 969-2730 [email protected]