STP Research Results - Student Transitions Project (STP) Transitions of B.C. High School Graduates into B.C. Public Post-Secondary Education

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

STP Research Results presents highlights from the Student Transitions Project (STP) focused on the first transition outcomes of British Columbia grade 12 graduates into B.C. public post-secondary education. The report summarizes key research questions and provides immediate and delayed entry transition rates, including how missing PEN data can affect estimates. It analyzes differences across graduation cohorts, institution types, credential or academic performance patterns, and longer-term trends in student destinations and entry timing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages45

Reading Time1 h 53 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

About this Research

Quick Facts

Introduction

Overview

Context

Research Results

Part 1: Student Transitions into Post-Secondary Education

Part 2: Post-secondary enrolment trends in B.C.

Part 3: Comparison of Credentials, Programs and Post-Secondary Academic Performance of International and Domestic Students

STP RESEARCH RESULTS Student Transitions Project (STP): Transitions of B.C. High School Graduates into B.C. Public Post-Secondary Education PREPARED BY JOANNE HESLOP STP MANAGER JUNE 21 , 2023 This page intentionally left blank. Table of Contents Executive Summary ___________________________________________________________________ 4 About this Research __________________________________________________________________ 4 Quick Facts _________________________________________________________________________ 4 Introduction _________________________________________________________________________ 9 􀁽 Overview __________________________________________________________________ 9 􀁽 Context ___________________________________________________________________ 9 Research Results ____________________________________________________________________ 10 Part 1: Student Transitions into Post-Secondary Education ___________________________ 10 Part 2: Post-secondary enrolment trends in B.C.____________________________________ 28 Part 3: Comparison of Credentials, Programs and Post-Secondary Academic Performance of International and Domestic Students ____________________________________________ 35 About the STP The Student Transitions Project is British Columbia's collaborative research project that measures student success from the K-12 to post-secondary systems. This effective system-wide partnership, involving B.C. 's education and advanced education ministries and public postsecondary institutions, is tracking student success by reporting on student transition rates to post-secondary education, student mobility among postsecondary institutions, and postsecondary completion and retention rates. STP is managed by a steering committee with representation from the two education ministries, public institutions and the B.C. Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) . Research Results Legend The following symbols used throughout this newsletter indicate the significance of each of the research findings. 􀀻 Recurring Consistent Trend 􀂋 Significant Change 􀁽 Context or Information Executive Summary About this Research This report provides highlights of the latest research from the Student Transitions Project (STP), with a focus on the first transitions of B.C. grade 12 graduates2 into B.C. public post-secondary education. The study was conducted by the Student Transitions Project (STP), a collaborative research partnership involving B.C.’s education and advanced education ministries and post-secondary institutions. This report presents a series of research questions and answers, beginning here with brief responses to each question, followed by amore detailed explanation and visual analysis in the Research Results section of the report, beginning on page 10. Quick Facts Part 1 : Student Transitions into Post-Secondary Education 􀂋 What are the transition rates of B.C. high school graduates into B.C. public post-secondary education? The immediate entry transition rate of 2020/2021 grade 12 graduates is currently 48.7% . This rate is continuing to decline since the highest rate of 54.3% was attained in 2008/09 . [Page 11] 􀀻 What does the student transitions matrix reveal about student transitions of different graduation cohorts? The immediate entry, delayed entry, no transition and cumulative transition rates for grade 12 graduation cohorts from each of the last ten years are provided in STP’s transition matrix. Due to missing Personal Education Numbers (PENs) on student records at Langara, the relatively low (48 .7%) immediate entry transition rate for the 2020/2021 grade 12 graduation cohort under-reports student transitions and is estimated to be closer to 50.9% . [Page 12] 􀀻 Do immediate and delayed entry students enrol indifferent institution types? Are academic qualifications a factor? Immediate entry students were equally as likely to enrol in B.C. Colleges (27%) and TIUs (26%), with

FAQs

What does the report focus on within the STP research?

The report highlights the first transitions of B.C. grade 12 graduates into B.C. public post-secondary education, summarizing research questions and results beginning on page 10.

What is the immediate entry transition rate for 2020/2021 grade 12 graduates?

The immediate entry transition rate is 48.7%, with an estimate of about 50.9% due to missing Personal Education Numbers (PENs) on student records at Langara.

How do immediate and delayed entry patterns differ by institution type?

Immediate entry students are similarly likely to enrol in B.C. Colleges (27%) and TIUs (26%), with more entering RIUs (41%) and fewer in Institutes (6%). Delayed entry students are more likely to enrol in Colleges (41%) and TIUs (29%), with remaining shares in RIUs (15%) and Institutes (15%).

How does academic performance relate to time of entry and destination?

High achieving graduates were more likely to enrol within four years than moderate achievers (49% vs 18%). The report also notes that high achievers dominate the group that enrols in RIUs.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah