With two official languages, Canada is an especially inviting destination for Francophone students looking to study either in English or French. Institutions across Canada offer a variety of programs in French-language instruction, attracting students from all over the world.
In Canada, Francophone students can access a world-class education and job opportunities. The ability to speak French also serves as a highly sought employment skill for students hoping to work in Canada post-graduation. This makes Canada a popular destination country for Francophone international students looking to study abroad.
So, how is this student population growing, and what countries are they coming from? What are Francophone students studying? Today, we’ll be answering these questions and more.
Key Insights at a Glance
- From 2016 to 2021, the number of Francophone international students approved to study in Canada increased by 15,000.1
- Ahead of Morocco and Algeria, France has been the top country of origin for Francophone international students since 2016.
- In 2021, nearly 19 out of 20 of Francophone students approved to study in Canada were enrolled in post-secondary studies.
Francophone International Students in Canada Growing Steadily
The chart below shows the number of new study permits approved for Francophone students in Canada from 2016 to 2022:
The number of Francophone international students approved to study in Canada has increased year-over-year since 2016 with the exception of 2020. From 2016 to 2021, the number of Francophone international students approved to study in Canada increased by 15,000. This represented a growth of 117% in five years.
Following the pandemic, over 21,000 Francophone international students were approved to study in Canada in the first eight months of 2022. This puts Canada back on track to keep growing year-over-year from last year’s high.
Where Are Francophone International Students Travelling From?
Francophone international students are coming to Canada from France, Belgium and French Africa. The chart below breaks down the top 10 countries that Francophone international students are traveling from:
France, Morocco, and Algeria have consistently been the top three source markets for Francophone students in Canada. Since 2016, France has held the number one spot as the top country that Francophone students are coming from.
Despite an average drop of one percentage point in approval rates across the top 10 countries of origin, some countries of origin saw an increase in approval rates from 2019. Showing strong growth, Belgium more than doubled in new study permit approvals from 2019 to 2021. Senegal, Haiti, and Lebanon also saw an increase in approval rates from 2021 into early 2022.
Since August 2022, Francophone students from Congo, Cameroon, Haiti, Guinea, and Mali have surpassed full year study permit approvals from 2021.
What Do Francophone Students Study in Canada?
Some schools in Canada offer programs that combine classroom studies with sightseeing and cultural activities to broaden the student experience and build connections. Schools may also offer work-study programs for students to practice their skills in the workplace. This allows students to explore their school environments and build industry connections to launch into the workforce.
The chart below breaks down the percentage of Francophone international students by study level.
The majority of Francophone students coming to Canada end up studying in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick. With two publicly funded French-language colleges, Ontario offers Francophone students the opportunity to choose from these or 10 French-language and bilingual institutions with university programs. It’s also worth noting that New Brunswick is the only official bilingual province in Canada.
Quebec hosted nearly four in five Francophone students in 2021. In comparison, 13% of Francophone students studied in Ontario.
Nearly 19 out of 20 of Francophone students approved to study in Canada were enrolled in post-secondary studies in 2021. In comparison, less than 1% of Francophone international students were enrolled in K-12 programs, and under 1% pursued ESL/FSL programs in 2021.
Looking Forward
2021 was a strong year for international education in Canada. The success of Canada’s generous Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) has played a key role in Canada’s growth, with over 97% of eligible PGWP applicants approved between January of 2016 and July of 2022.
With strong Francophone communities outside of Quebec, Canada is a popular destination country for Francophone students to start their study abroad journey. Increased efforts from the Canadian government to attract more students shows a strong government commitment to support Francophone students in Canada.
We expect to see more Francophone students headed to Canada, as a part of the continued growth we are seeing across the country. Schools looking to attract more Francophone students to study in Canada can:
- Highlight existing Francophone communities in Canada, within and outside of Quebec.
- Promote the broad variety of French-language education programs offered in Canada.
- Encourage students to work with informed representatives to support their recruitment goals.
- Ensure that students are up to date about Canada’s successful programs to support international students, including the PGWP.
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FOOTNOTES:
1. All external data courtesy of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
