Crisis Alert: Fewer International Students at Canadian Colleges

Key Highlights:

1. Canadian universities like Langara, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Victoria face significant budget cuts due to declining international student numbers.
2. Nearly 40% of students in British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions are international, making their decline a widespread issue.
3. Langara College sees a staggering 79% decline in international student applications from spring 2025.

A cap on international students in Canada has led to a dramatic decrease in their numbers. This cap is causing concern among Canadian colleges and universities, particularly those that traditionally admitted many students from countries like India. The potential budget cuts are alarming institutions across the country.

As per the latest Canada news, Langara College is preparing for substantial enrollment declines, especially among international students who pay high fees. President Paula Burns recently informed faculty about a drastic 79% drop in international student in Canada applications for the spring of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Faculty members have called this situation a “crisis,” describing it as a “sudden and overwhelming drop” in enrollment that will affect everyone at the college, according to a report in the Vancouver Sun. This significant decrease in both international and domestic students will have repercussions on wages, benefits, and jobs, as noted in a group email from instructors to the faculty.

With 37% of its student body holding study visas, Langara College has one of the highest proportions of international students among public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. Last year, approximately 7,500 international students, primarily from India, were enrolled at Langara, surpassing even the much larger Simon Fraser University.

Langara College is not alone in facing these challenges. Institutions such as Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, and Vancouver Island University are also planning budget cuts. This is due to the decline in international student numbers, who typically pay tuition fees four times higher than domestic students. The University of British Columbia, however, reports that its enrollment is tracking according to budget projections, which remain balanced, highlights the Canada news.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has the highest proportion of international students among these institutions, with 38% of its total enrollment (around 8,400 students) comprised of international students.

International students from 150 countries make up nearly 40% of the 533,000 students enrolled in British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions, including private colleges and trade schools, as reported by the Vancouver Sun. Canada universities tuition fees for international students can be significantly higher than those for domestic students. For instance, at the University of British Columbia, an international student can expect to pay $45,000 a year in tuition, almost five times more than a domestic student. At Kwantlen Polytechnic University, the international tuition fee of over $21,000 a year is 4.5 times higher than that for domestic students.

The University of Victoria recently emphasized the significant impact of international students on their budget. Although they constitute only 11% of the student population, their tuition contributed to one-third of the university’s revenue in the 2023-24 academic year.

TL;DR

The sharp decline in international student enrollment is posing significant financial challenges for many Canadian universities and colleges. Langara College, for instance, reported a staggering 79% decrease in applications from international students. As these institutions navigate potential budget cuts and economic impacts, their financial stability remains uncertain. Stay updated with all the latest happenings in the Canadian landscape with amber news.