Exploring Royal Roads University's Student Population

Royal Roads University (RRU) is a public university located in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada. The university offers a range of programs, including certificates, diplomas, and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. As of 2025, RRU has an enrolment of around 4,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students and a network of over 34,000 alumni. In recent years, the university has seen consistent growth in student enrolment, with an average increase of eight per cent over the past two years.

Royal Roads University has 4,100 students

Royal Roads University is a publicly funded, applied research university in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada. It has approximately 4,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled, as well as a network of over 34,000 alumni from both the current university and the former military college. The university offers a range of programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

The university's main campus is located at Hatley Park National Historic Site on Vancouver Island. The site covers approximately 260 hectares of leased property, including the historic Hatley Castle, which was designed by architect Samuel Maclure in the early 20th century. Royal Roads University is known for its focus on lifelong education and blends online and on-campus learning with real-world relevance.

The university offers flexible programs modelled in a blended format that combines periodic in-site sessions with online courses. This format is designed to accommodate working professionals who need to maintain their careers and other personal commitments while pursuing their education. Royal Roads University offers three formats: on-site with 100% face-to-face learning, blended with a mix of in-person and online components, and fully online or correspondence courses.

The average age of Royal Roads University graduates is 41, indicating that many of its students are working professionals who require flexible learning options. The university's programs are designed to fit the needs of its students, their communities, and their employers, offering relevant, applied learning oriented towards the labour market. With its focus on lifelong education and flexible learning options, Royal Roads University caters to a diverse range of students, including recent high school graduates, mature students, and working professionals.

The university has 34,000 alumni

Royal Roads University (RRU) is a small-scale university with a current enrolment of around 4,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students. However, the university has a vast network of over 34,000 alumni, encompassing both the current university and its past iteration as the Royal Roads Military College. This impressive alumni community spans across 60 countries, with members actively applying their RRU education to drive positive change globally.

The university's alumni network is a testament to its longstanding reputation and impact in higher education. With over 34,000 alumni, RRU has cultivated a diverse and extensive community of changemakers who are utilising their knowledge and skills to create a meaningful difference in their respective fields. This network serves as a powerful testament to the university's ability to empower individuals and foster their growth, both during their time on campus and beyond.

The alumni body of RRU is a tight-knit community that actively stays connected with the university and supports its ongoing development. Many alumni give back by sharing their success stories, offering mentorship, and providing financial support to ensure that current and future students can benefit from the same exceptional educational experiences that shaped their own journeys. This engagement demonstrates the strong sense of loyalty and gratitude felt by RRU alumni.

The 34,000 alumni of RRU are spread across the globe, pursuing diverse careers and endeavours. They are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, making significant contributions to their communities and organisations. The university takes pride in the accomplishments of its alumni, and their success stories serve as an inspiration for current and prospective students, showcasing the transformative power of a Royal Roads education.

The university's alumni network also plays a crucial role in fostering connections and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. Alumni often act as mentors, offering guidance and support to current students and recent graduates. They provide valuable industry insights, career advice, and networking opportunities, further enhancing the employability of RRU students. This interconnection between alumni and the university community strengthens the institution's reputation and impact.

70% of students are pursuing graduate degrees

Royal Roads University (RRU) is a publicly funded university located in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada. The university offers a range of programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. With an enrolment of around 4,100 students, 70% of whom are pursuing graduate degrees, RRU has the highest percentage of graduate students of any university in Canada.

The high proportion of graduate students at RRU can be attributed to the university's focus on lifelong education and applied learning. The university offers flexible programs that combine online courses with short-term on-campus residencies, making it attractive to working professionals who want to further their education without taking extended breaks from their careers. The applied and experiential nature of the programs also appeals to students who want to gain relevant, market-oriented skills that they can quickly apply in their professional lives.

The graduate programs at RRU cover a diverse range of fields, including business, leadership, applied communication, career skills, project management, and more. The university's commitment to making its education fit the needs of its students, their communities, and their employers has likely contributed to the high enrolment in graduate programs.

The average age of RRU graduates is 41, indicating that the university attracts a more mature student body. This is likely due to the flexibility of the programs, which cater to working professionals who want to enhance their careers without sacrificing their current positions. The university's focus on providing relevant, applied learning that addresses contemporary issues also resonates with students who want to make a positive impact in their communities and create change for a better world.

In conclusion, the high percentage of students pursuing graduate degrees at Royal Roads University is a testament to the university's successful focus on lifelong education and applied learning. The flexible program structures, relevant curriculum, and commitment to meeting the needs of its students have made RRU a top choice for graduate studies in Canada.

The average age of graduates is 41

Royal Roads University (RRU) is a publicly funded, applied research university in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada. The university offers a blend of online and on-campus learning for its doctorate, graduate, and undergraduate students.

RRU currently has an enrolment of around 4,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students, with 70% of its students pursuing graduate degrees. The average age of graduates is 41, and the university's programs are designed to fit the needs of students who cannot afford to take long periods of time off work to pursue their education.

The university's flexible programs are designed to favour working professionals, allowing them to complete their degrees while maintaining their careers and other personal commitments. RRU offers three formats: on-site with 100% face-to-face learning, blended, with a mix of in-person and online courses, and completely online. This makes the programs more accessible to students who may not be able to attend traditional universities due to work or other commitments.

The average age of 41 for graduates reflects the diverse student body at RRU, which includes recent high school graduates, mature students, and working professionals. The university's focus on lifelong education and relevant, applied learning attracts students of all ages and backgrounds. The applied and professional programs offered by the university provide students with skills and knowledge that are valuable in the labour market and can be applied to their lives and careers.

The university's commitment to making education accessible and relevant to its students has contributed to its growing enrolment numbers. With its innovative educational model and blend of online and on-campus learning, RRU offers a unique and valuable educational experience to students of all ages and backgrounds.

The university has seen an 8% enrolment growth in the past two years

Royal Roads University (RRU) in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada, has seen an impressive 8% enrolment growth over the past two years. This growth is a testament to the university's appeal and the success of its educational model, which focuses on providing relevant, applied learning oriented to the labour market. With an enrolment of around 4,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students, RRU is a small-scale university offering over 70 programs, including certificates, diplomas, and undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The university's unique approach to education, blending online and on-campus learning, has been a key factor in its recent enrolment growth. This blended learning model was pioneered by RRU in 1995 and combines team-based, applied, and experiential practices with short-term on-campus residencies and a rich online environment. This flexibility is particularly attractive to working professionals, who can continue their careers and maintain other personal commitments while pursuing their education.

The average age of RRU graduates in the spring of 2024 was 41, highlighting that the university caters to a more mature student body. These students often cannot afford to take extended breaks from their careers to pursue their education, making the flexibility and practicality of RRU's programs even more valuable. The content of the programs is also highly relevant to contemporary society, allowing students to apply what they learn immediately in their lives and careers.

The enrolment growth at RRU is a positive sign for the university and reflects its commitment to meeting the needs of its students, their communities, and their employers. With its innovative educational model and focus on applied learning, RRU is well-positioned to continue attracting students seeking a practical and flexible approach to higher education. The university's enrolment growth trend is expected to continue, further expanding its community of changemakers who are creating and leading positive change in the world.

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