Canada loses significant share of international student interest: Study

Reshma Ravishanker

Canada has lost a significant share of international student interest over the past year according to a survey conducted by ICEF monitor.

ICEF Monitor is a market intelligence resource for the international education industry with an audience from over 187 nations that delivers industry news, market intelligence, research, interviews, videos, presentation files, infographics, best practice tips and trends.

The survey was conducted from 20 August–16 September 2024 with over 6,000 student respondents from 114 countries. Study also shows that students are foregoing or delaying study abroad plans because it is too expensive currently. Most respondents were either from India or China.

The latest edition of the IDP Education Emerging Futures survey indicates that Canada has fallen to fourth place (16%) and has weakened significantly, down nine percentage points since August 2023 as the preferred destinations by students to study.

Canda lost a significant share among prospective students and those students who applied as well. “Canada lost appeal among both prospective and applied students. IDP says even students who have applied to Canada are reconsidering their decision due to visa delays and policy uncertainty,” the report reads.

This drop in numbers also comes at a time when India is having strained diplomatic ties with Canada over the Khalistan terrorism issue.

Survey respondents rate the US more positively than Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand on the key dimensions of quality of education, value for money, and graduate employment opportunities. Students are also opting for destinations beyond these countries.

The survey also cites that Australia and the UK are also losing share of interest among international students around the world. Opposed to this, the US is benefitting from this trend, as are alternative destinations.  Research shows that more international students are considering applying to an expanded range of destinations.

Factors that influenced decision making

• Australia and Canada raising proof-of-savings requirements to US$19,535 and US$14,945 per student, respectively
• Australia hiking its visa application fee to US$1,070, a 125% increase
• The UK ending families’ rights to accompany international students unless students are in research-oriented postgraduate degrees or on scholarships
• France requiring international students to have lived in France for 24 months (up from 18 months) if they want to bring dependents
• Canada ending the right of partners of undergraduate students and students in master’s programmes of less than 16 months to receive an open work permit.

Also read: Video of Canadian woman complaining about foreign students in Canada goes viral