by The Trudeau government’s policies have led to a sharp decline in the number of international students in Canada. A large number of Indian students go to study in Canada, paying almost four times more fees than local students. Following these student declines, Canadian colleges are facing a financial crisis.
OTTAWA: The number of international students in Canada is plummeting due to the student cap. Because of this, Canadian colleges and universities are facing huge budget cuts. Langara College president Paula Barnes reported a 79 percent drop in international applications compared to last year. As the Vancouver Sun reported, members of the college’s faculty union have described the situation as distressing. It has been described as a ‘sudden and drastic drop’ in student enrolment, which will affect everyone. A rapid decline in international students will affect wages, benefits and jobs.
Most Indian students in Langara
Langara College has the highest international student ratio in British Columbia. 37 percent of Langara College students study on study visas. According to federal government data, the college enrolled about 7,500 international students last year. Most of them were from India. This number is more than Simon Fraser University, a large educational institution in Canada.
Many colleges are in trouble
Langara isn’t the only college facing a student crisis. Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University are also planning budget cuts due to declining numbers of international students. The enthusiasm of foreign students towards these institutions is not without reason. Foreign students typically pay four times more tuition fees than domestic students. Meanwhile, the University of British Columbia said its enrollment is running in line with budget projections.
Fees may increase for foreign students
International students make up 38 percent of the total enrollment at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. International students represent 40 percent of the 533,000 students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, representing 150 countries, the Vancouver Sun reports. Canadian colleges may now raise fees to deal with declining numbers of international students. An international student at the University of British Columbia can end up paying $45,000 per year in tuition fees, five times more than domestic students.
