British Columbia’s New Policy Limits International Student Enrolment

Key Highlights:

1. BC Government has introduced the EQA code of practice to enhance the integrity of the province’s international student program. 
2. This includes limiting international student enrolment to 30% of total enrolment in public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).
3. BC Government has been allocated 83,000 PALs for 2024, which are required for obtaining a study permit in Canada. 53% go to public institutions and 47% to private institutions. 
4. DLIs under the BC Government will be required to post tuition levels for the entire duration of a student's education, providing clear financial expectations. Additionally, institutions must meet or exceed provincial quality assurance standards.

In recent International Student Canada news events, British Columbia's Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills recently announced further measures to strengthen the province's international student program.

According to a Ministry announcement, new protections and higher standards are being implemented for the province's authorized learning institutions. One of these safeguards is the Educational Quality Assurance (EQA) code of practice.

The EQA consists of three basic objectives:

1. Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in British Columbia.
2. Transparent fees for international students.
3. Meeting institutional QA standards.

1. Learning Institutions (DLIs)

(DLIs) in British Columbia will work on "limiting international student in Canada enrollment to 30% of an institution's total enrolment." This limit will only apply to the province's public DLIs. Private DLIs remain unaffected.

According to a Ministry representative, many of British Columbia's 25 public post-secondary educational institutions already have fewer than that percentage of international students enrolled. When asked if this 30% cap on international student in Canada enrolment was in addition to the current provincial limit of international students, which is determined by the number of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) issued by B.C. this year, the Ministry did not respond, but did state that, "the distribution of attestation letters was based on supporting and promoting international student programs at public DLIs."

They also stated that Ministry staff would collaborate with universities to provide them enough time to adapt their student recruitment to fulfill the target while also managing any financial ramifications. According to the Ministry, institutions will use their international education strategic plans, as outlined in the new rules, to develop options for meeting the requirement.

British Columbia has received an allocation of 83,000 PALs for 2024. These letters confirm that a student has been admitted into a DLI in a specific province. They are a fresh stage in getting a study permit in Canada, implemented by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in response to the announcement of a cap on the number of study permits the department will handle over the next two years.

The number of PALs assigned to each province is determined by its population. British Columbia is Canada's third-most populous province. Provincial governments determine how letters are distributed across DLIs.

In 2024, 53% of PALs will be awarded to public postsecondary schools in British Columbia, while 47% will be issued to private ones.

2. Transparent Fees For International Students

According to the British Columbia Government, DLIs in the region will be required to display the cost of tuition for each student for the duration of their studies. This will assist new students in preparing their budget for living in Canada by enabling them to know how much their complete education will cost before they start. Ultimately, this will make studying in Canada easier for International students.

The Canadian economy benefits greatly from the presence of overseas students. Global Affairs Canada revealed in a recent research that the amount spent on overseas students in 2022 exceeded $37 billion. 

Additionally, Statistics Canada revealed that the average tuition paid by overseas undergraduate students in the 2023–2024 academic year was $38,081. Presently, 111,900 foreign students are enrolled in public universities in British Columbia.

3. Meeting Institutional QA Standards

As part of the EQA, the province will also require that institutions meet or exceed the institutional quality assurance standards set by the province which is required for all public and private institutions enrolling international students.

These standards include:

•  Development of international education plans
•  Improved student services
•  Housing support 
•  Standards to ensure the security of domestic students 

DLIs that adhere to the guidelines will receive an EQA designation. Failure to adhere to the EQA code of practice will result in the loss of the designation and the inability to admit international students.

TL;DR

BC Government’s new EQA code aims to enhance the integrity of its international student program. Key measures include capping international student enrollment at 30% in public DLIs, requiring upfront disclosure of total tuition costs, and enforcing strict quality assurance standards. These steps ensure transparency, financial clarity, and high educational standards for institutions across the province.