Canada's International Students University Enrolment Continues To Increase

18/02/2008

Canadian universities hit a record high for the fifth consecutive year due to high on-going enrolment of international students.

According to Statistic Canada the last three years have seen a dramatic increase in annual enrolment in Canadian schools ever since the enrolment total first broke the 1 million mark in 2004-05.

The increase of about 4,500 foreign students accounted for 15% of the growth in total university enrolment in 2005/2006, compared with about 22% in the previous year.

There are a number of factors that explains this immense growth of foreign registrations. These include strong economic growth in leading Asian countries, such as China; universities market their institutions effectively in other countries making Canada's institutions attractive; the changes in immigration policies attract international students because they are structured to benefit them and encourage them to stay longer in the country and last but not least there are provincial agreements set in place between Canada with other countries to attract foreign students.

Between 200402995 students interested in studying in Ontario with a grade 12 certificate were eligible for enrolment at the university due to the abolishment of OAC courses in Ontario due to that, enrolment has been increasing steadily ever since, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Provincially, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec attracted almost 78% of international students. Numerically, the largest increases of international students occurred at universities in Ontario, where the gain was 1,400 and those in British Columbia, where the increase was 2,500.

Asian students made up the majority of the total increase in foreign students. Registrants from China rose 7% to a record high 19,200; the growth in students from China accounted for 28% of the gain in enrolment among international students.

Canadian universities also continued to register significant numbers of students from India, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, all of which increased in 2005/2006.

Women have accounted for about 45% of all international students since 1999. In 1992, the proportion was about 39%.

Among foreign students, enrolments increased in all but two fields of study. The biggest decline was in the field of mathematics, computer and information sciences, where foreign enrolment fell by almost 4%.

In the other fields of study, the numbers increased. The rate of growth had exceeded that of the prior year for three fields of study: education; humanities; and health, parks, recreation and fitness.

Immigration Benefits of studying in Canada include:

  • Can increase your score for permanent immigration
  • Can allow you to work part-time off campus during your studies
  • Can allow your partner to obtain a work permit for the duration of your intended stay
  • Can allow your children to obtain study permits
  • Can lead to nomination for permanent residence under provincial nominee programs
  • Can lead to post-graduation work permits for 1-2 years
  • Can help you stay in Canada, while you have an application for permanent residence in progress

The are many benefits for obtaining a Canadian Study Permit, it's no wonder that the current international student population has increased. The country is voted one of the best in their standard of living, the Canadian government takes education very seriously and Canada is a pot of multi-cultures.

Canada welcomes over 150,000 foreign students every year. They are attracted by Canada's high standard of education, and its fairly affordable tuition fees for foreign students. As of 2005-2006, a foreign student can expect to pay between C$4,400 and C$10,000 per year for an undergraduate degree, depending on their chosen school and course of study.

Canada has several private or independent schools (some of which are religious in orientation) and private career colleges. These schools may operate in any province or territory as long as they meet the general standards prescribed by that government authority.

If you would be interested in studying in Canada, see if you qualify by doing our online visa eligibility assessment

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