Enrolment refers to the number of students at Memorial University. It is a function of both recruitment and retention across the student life cycle and reflects the number of students who have recognized the transformational power of education and chosen Memorial to help them achieve their goals. 

Total student enrolment includes undergraduate, graduate, diploma, certificate and post-graduate (medicine) programs across all campuses.  

Enrolment in fall 2025 shows a decrease in total enrolment of 4.6 per cent from fall 2024. This decline was anticipated and is aligned with similar trends in Atlantic Canada and across the country. 

  

Fall 2025 enrolment at Memorial University
Undergraduate students	12,464
Graduate students	3,912
Certificate (MI), diploma (MI) and post-graduate (medicine) students	680
Total	17,056

 

Factors impacting enrolment 

Demographic shifts 

The number of high school (15-19) learners within Newfoundland and Labrador has been steadily decreasing for decades, from 58,754 in 1986 to 26,880 in 2022. Despite this, Memorial increased the number of Newfoundland and Labrador students by 3.3 per cent in fall 2024 (10,897 students) and maintained approximately the same number of NL students in fall 2025 (11,102). 

 

 Source: Department of Finance, Economics Division

Changing federal regulations for student visas 

In 2024, the Government of Canada introduced a cap on the number of international student visas it would process. This policy shift has impacted Canada’s reputation as a destination of choice for international learners and has impacted universities nationwide. At Memorial, international graduate student applications, which had been growing steadily since 2018, dipped sharply, from 11,833 in fall 2024 to 5,426 in fall 2025 (a decrease of 54.1 per cent).  

The path forward  

• Innovating programs and pathways—creating flexible degree options that enable transfers from the college system, developing pathways, exploring program mix and sustainability.  

• Expanding recruitment efforts—engaging prospective students year-round, beyond traditional recruitment cycles. 

• Modernizing admissions—streamlining policies and practices to make Memorial more accessible. 

• Strengthening student preparation and support—enhancing academic and social readiness and improving communication and services to boost first- and second-year retention. 

• Delivering exceptional service–responding to student inquiries quickly, accurately and with empathy.