With university status, Memorial University of Newfoundland entered a period of rapid growth that was to continue into the 70s. In 1949-1950, there was a student body of 307 in the new University; in the academic year 1961-1962, when the University moved to its present campus, the student enrolment had reached 1745 full-time and 152 part-time. Ten years later, 1971-1972, the student population, including full- and part-time students on degree programs, was 10,980.

Meanwhile, there were equally dramatic changes in the variety and extent of available academic programs. In the early years of the University, there were two Faculties (Arts and Science, and Education). While the academic structure was quite similar in 1961, when the University moved to the present campus, areas of instruction, course offerings and degrees awarded had all increased.

Today, the University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six Faculties - Arts, Science, Education, Medicine, Engineering and Business Administration; and six Schools - Graduate Studies, Nursing, Human Kinetics and Recreation, Social Work, Music and Pharmacy; and also offers degree programs in Fine Arts. Student enrolment in 2005-06 totalled 17,509. Further information regarding enrolment statistics can be found in the Fact Book at www.mun.ca/ciap/fact_book.php.

In 1975, the University established a campus in Corner Brook. The College was re-named the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in 1979 honouring the memory of the medical missionary who pioneered medicine in Northern Newfoundland and along the coast of Labrador. Since its opening, Grenfell College has progressed from a junior college offering first- and second-year courses to providing entire degrees in the areas of arts, fine arts, science, and nursing. The first degrees, in the disciplines of theatre and visual arts, were introduced in 1988. Most recently, Grenfell College has introduced degree programs in tourism studies and a Bachelor of Education Program (Primary/Elementary) fast-track option. The College currently offers degree programs in 14 disciplines. For more information see www.swgc.mun.ca.

In 1992 the Marine Institute joined the University, becoming the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Founded in 1964, the Marine Institute offers a range of certificate, diploma and degree programs in fisheries and marine technology and is involved in research and technology transfer. For more information see www.mi.mun.ca.

Memorial University of Newfoundland's faculty and students actively participate in research and development. This University is one of the most important research facilities in Atlantic Canada and has developed numerous research programs and facilities that are among the most advanced in the world. For a complete listing of research facilities see www.mun.ca/research/units