Enrolment Surpasses 1,000 for the First Time
A strong incoming class in fall 2021 following last year’s record-setting cohort helps set another record for enrolment at Redeemer.
2 min. read
September 22, 2021

For the first time in Redeemer’s nearly 40-year history, the university welcomed more than 1,000 students with a total enrolment of 1,014. Enrolment growth has been strong for the past three years. A 42 per cent reduction in tuition in 2019 for Canadian undergraduate students, along with gaining the authority to grant up to 20 possible new degrees and officially change the school’s name to Redeemer University, implementation of a new brand and forward momentum from the 2025 strategic plan, are all contributing to growth.

Once again, Redeemer’s dual-delivery model, maximizing in-person learning and integrating it with the most rich online experience possible, gave students flexibility during the unpredictable landscape of the ongoing pandemic. Approximately 85 per cent are participating in person this fall. 

“We’re excited to have crossed this significant enrolment milestone,” says interim president Dr. David Zietsma. “Redeemer’s continued growth indicates that we have something special and desirable to offer students – an education for the whole person that weaves faith throughout the entire experience.”

Since tuition restructuring in 2019, Redeemer has seen an enrolment increase of over 47 per cent.

The incoming class of 347 students includes 275 undergraduate, 61 bachelor of education and 11 gap year students in Redeemer’s Act Five program. Total enrolment is up 13.2 per cent over last year.

Since tuition restructuring in 2019, Redeemer has seen an enrolment increase of over 47 per cent. 

Big changes on campus to accommodate this growing student population are well underway. In particular, the new Charis Live and Learn Centre with 170 beds, classrooms, student common areas and a makerspace is aiming to partially open this November, reaching full completion next spring. 

A new bachelor of business administration (BBA) was launched this spring, new schools of business and education are in development, and additional degrees and accreditations are being explored. 

“Affordable tuition was critical to removing barriers to a Christian university education at Redeemer,” says Zietsma. “At the same time, we are investing in student and graduate success to provide an education that is relevant and prepares tomorrow’s Christian leaders for a rapidly changing world.”

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