Canada’s universities are in a quiet crisis: this year international students are choosing destinations other than Canada, and the effects are already visible on campuses. The tightening of immigration rules and visa policies is a central driver behind the decline, and new data help illuminate how deeply enrollment patterns have shifted.
The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey, conducted in collaboration with NAFSA, the Oxford Test of English, and Studyportals, surveyed 461 institutions across 63 countries, including 20 Canadian institutions, and looked at the August–October 2025 intake. The report indicates that last year’s findings warned of a market in transition, but this year those early signs have hardened into real changes. Policy and visa restrictions remain the biggest obstacles to international recruitment in several regions, with Canada and the United States among those most affected.
Across Canada, 82% of universities reported a drop in undergraduate enrolments, and 71% reported fewer postgraduate enrolments. On average, bachelor’s degree intake declined by 36%, while postgraduate enrolment fell by 35%, making Canada’s declines some of the sharpest among major regions.
Global outcomes show that about 90% of universities attribute the decline to restrictive government policies, while only around 15% point to the cost of living and tuition as the primary causes.
The survey highlights that ongoing IRCC policy changes—such as a national cap on study permits, new proof-of-funds requirements, and shifting eligibility for postgraduate work permits—have created uncertainty and, in the view of many institutions, damaged Canada’s reputation as a reliable study destination.
Even as demand from traditional markets like India and China softens, universities report growing interest from students in Africa and Southeast Asia, signaling a diversification shift in the pipeline. To adapt, about 60% of Canadian universities plan to diversify into new markets, while a similar share expect budget cuts and roughly half anticipate staffing reductions in 2026.
So where are international students heading instead? The United Kingdom, other parts of Europe, and several Asian destinations are seeing upticks in new enrollments. The decline in international students has coincided with a record drop in Canada’s population, a trend that could continue if IRCC’s announced limits on study permits for 2026 go into effect as planned.
With campuses under financial and operational strain, many institutions are redesigning recruitment strategies, funding models, and student-support services to stay competitive in a tighter global market. The dynamics raise provocative questions: should Canada recalibrate its immigration framework to sustain university stability, or is a broader shift toward more selective, market-aware recruitment the smarter path? And what roles will the UK, Europe, Africa, and Asia play in filling the gap left by Canada’s slowing inflow? What’s your take—will these policy changes strengthen long-term quality and sustainability, or could they simply push international students toward other destinations? Share your perspective in the comments.
