Over the past few years, Canada has seen its number of international students rise. From affordability to safety, there are many reasons why international students see Canada as a great place to receive a quality education. Read on to learn more about Canadian study abroad trends and policy updates that support international students.
Ready to start your study abroad journey? Check out our undergraduate and postgraduate application guides.
Study Abroad Trends
According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE), from 2015 to 2017, the number of international students who pursued post-secondary education in Canada increased from 195,000 to 370,975. That’s a 90% increase in two years!
About 28% of these international students come from China. India, Iran, and Vietnam are also top providers, with each country showing increased interest. When these students arrive, they bring with them cultural diversity, skills, and new perspectives that contribute to Canadian culture.
On top of Canada’s reputation for being a safe and inclusive country with a high quality of life, international students are valued as contributors to the Canadian economy. In 2016, international students contributed C$12.8 billion to Canada’s economy.
Post-Graduation Possibilities
Both the Canadian federal and provincial governments work to ensure international students want to stay in Canada after graduation. Some students take advantage of the provincial nominee programs that allow international students to work within their province of study for a couple of years. Others use federal programs that allow new international grads to study anywhere in Canada for up to three years without a formal job offer. Both programs show that Canada is working towards becoming a country where anyone can thrive.
These findings are supported by the recent CBIE survey. It notes that 51% of international students want to stay in Canada after graduating. This works well for Canadian businesses, because these students’ age, adaptability, and education makes them excellent future employees.
Canada has so much to offer international students, from small class sizes to a welcoming culture.
If you’re thinking about applying to college or university in Canada, ApplyBoard’s here for you! Our machine-learning-based platform streamlines the application process. Our team can also help you apply to the institutions of your dreams. We’ll help you find the best matches for your skills, interests, and budget.
Whatever you want to study, ApplyBoard will support you every step of the way.
Dawson Phan, Marketing Assistant at ApplyBoard
