International students in Canada
Canada attracts a significant number of international students at all levels of the Canadian education system. As of 2019[update], it is the fourth most popular country for international student enrollment, behind the United States, United Kingdom, and China.[1]
According to the International Education Strategy published by the Government of Canada, international students are present in all levels of education: primary, secondary, trades, and college and university (post-secondary), with the greatest number being at the post-secondary level.[2] The number of enrolled students has been increasing steadily in all levels from 2015 to 2018, with the greatest rise in college attendance.[2][3] The International Education Strategy for the period 2019-2024 includes a commitment to diversify inbound students and distribute them more equally across the country rather than having a strong concentration in a few cities.[3] Many Canadian universities are working to attract international students by providing English as a second language programs and reserving specific scholarships for international students of high caliber.[4]
A survey conducted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CIBE) found that 96% of the international students endorsed Canada as a study destination, due to its quality education and its reputation as a safe and tolerant country that encourages multiculturalism and diversity.[5]
Statistics
Number of students
| Year | IRCC | GAC |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 326,120[6] | - |
| 2015 | 350,130[6] | 457,828[7] |
| 2016 | 410,400[6] | 523,971[7] |
| 2017 | 494,525[6] | - |
| 2018 | 558,957[8] | 721,000[3] |
| 2019 | 642,480[8] | - |
Figures for the international student population in Canada vary depending on the reporting agency. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only reports on the number of students with a valid work or study permit. Students who study for less than six months do not require a permit, which means that short-term students are not counted in IRCC statistics.[9] The International Education Division of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) includes both short- and long-term students in their statistics, basing short-term numbers on data obtained from Languages Canada.[7] By definition, this means that GAC numbers will be higher than those reported by IRCC.
The IRCC reports that as of December 2019[update], there were a total of 642,480 international students in Canada at all levels, representing a 13% increase from the previous year.[8] The most recent statistic released by the GAC is for 2018, reporting 721,000 students.[3]
Most international students are post-secondary students. In 2015, the number of college students was reported at approximately 50,000 and by 2018 the number was over 120,000 college student permit holders.[3]
In addition to post-secondary education, Canadian high schools and primary schools also attract increasing numbers of international students. In 2000, the GAC reported that there were 27,997 international students at the primary and secondary level. By 2010, this number had increased to 35,140.[2] In 2017, CIBE, relying on IRCC numbers, reported 71,350 international students in the secondary and primary Canadian school systems.[10]
The provinces with the highest international student populations are Ontario and British Columbia. In 2016, Ontario had the greatest number of international students in Canada, with 233,226 short- and long-term students representing 44.5% of all international students in the country.[7] British Columbia had 145,691 students, representing 27.8% of the international student population.[7] Quebec, Alberta, and Nova Scotia had the next three largest populations of international students.[7]
By university
According to Maclean's, in 2016, the three universities with the highest enrollment of international students in first-year undergraduate studies were the University of British Columbia (31%), McGill University, (30.7%), and Bishop's University (29.6%).[11] For graduate students overall, the universities with highest international enrollment were the University of Windsor (57.2%), Memorial University of Newfoundland (50%), and Concordia University (49.2%).[11]
Demographics
International students attending Canadian institutions are primarily coming from Asia. IRCC statistics for 2018 show that over 50% of all international students come from just two countries - India, with 172,625, represents about 30% of enrollments, and China, with 142,895, represents about 25%.[3][12] South Korea (24,195), France (22,745), and Vietnam (20,330), send the next-greatest number of students.[3]
Work and residency
Students are able to work off-campus 20 hours a week during the regular school year and engage in full-time employment during scheduled breaks on the strength of their study permit.[13] After graduation, students wishing to remain in Canada may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, lasting three years - and subsequently for a Permanent Residency Pathway. Part of their Core 1 responsibility in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Departmental Plan 2019-2020 is an intention to work with all partners to better understand options for immigration for international students in a "study to immigration" initiative.[3]
Economic impact of students
The large number of international students studying in Canada contributes significantly to the Canadian economy. According to Global Affairs Canada, the economic impact can be felt across the entire country. In 2015, expenditures by international students, including tourism associated with visitors to the students, was worth $12.8 billion; in 2016, that figure had increased by 21.2% to $15.5 billion. Long-term international students spent an estimated yearly average of $33,800 in 2015 and $35,100 in 2016. This figure includes expenses associated with education, as well as unrelated discretionary spending, but excludes money spent by visiting family and friends. In 2015, international education created or supported 140,010 jobs (118,640 full-time equivalent), and in 2016, that increased to approximately 168,860 jobs (143,150 FTE).[7]
International student spending in Ontario contributed $5.04 billion to the provincial gross domestic product in 2015; this figure increased to $6.35 billion in 2016. The expenditures of international students supported 62,737 jobs in 2015, and 79,034 jobs in 2016.[7] British Columbia also experienced an increase in their GDP from $2.39 billion in 2015 up to $2.76 in 2016. Over the same period, jobs supported by foreign enrollment in British Columbia increased from 35,294 to 40,499.[7]
References
- ^ "Global Mobility Trends". Institute of International Education. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada (2012-08-03). "ARCHIVED - Number of International Students in Canada | Economic Impact of International Education in Canada". GAC. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada (2019-08-22). "Canada's International Education Strategy (2019-2024)". GAC. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ Canada, Global Affairs (2011-01-26). "International scholarship opportunities for non-Canadians". www.educanada.ca. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ "Facts and Figures". Canadian Bureau for International Education. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d CBIE Research In Brief Number 10 (PDF) (Report). Canadian Bureau for International Education. August 2018. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "3. Assessing the economic impact of international students in Canada". International Education Division. Economic impact of international education in Canada – 2017 update. Global Affairs Canada. 2017-09-28. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ a b c "International students in Canada continue to grow in 2019". Canadian Bureau for International Education. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ CBIE 2018, p. 8
- ^ CBIE 2018, p. 6
- ^ a b "These Canadian universities have the most international students - Macleans.ca". www.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
- ^ "Facts and Figures". Canadian Bureau for International Education. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (2007-03-31). "Work off campus as an international student". aem. Retrieved 2020-03-02.