British Columbia’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills has recently implemented new measures to enhance the integrity of the province’s international student program.
In a statement, the Ministry announced the introduction of new protections and higher standards for designated learning institutions (DLIs) in the province. A key element of these protections is the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) code of practice.
EQA’s Main Objectives
There are three primary objectives under the EQA. Firstly, public DLIs in B.C. will be required to “limit international student enrolment to 30% of an institution’s total enrolment.” It is important to note that this limit will only apply to the province’s public DLIs; private DLIs will not be affected.
A Ministry representative told via email that many of B.C.’s 25 public post-secondary educational institutions were already below the 30% international student enrolment threshold.
When questioned about whether this 30% cap was in addition to the current provincial limit of international students, as dictated by the number of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) B.C. will issue this year, the Ministry did not specify. However, they did state that the distribution of attestation letters supports international student programs at public DLIs.
Ministry staff will collaborate with institutions to provide them with time to adjust their student recruitment strategies to meet the new target and manage any financial implications. Institutions will use their international education strategic plans, identified in the new guidelines, to discuss strategies for meeting the threshold.
Allocation of PALs
British Columbia received an allocation of 83,000 PALs for 2024. These letters confirm that a student has been accepted to a DLI in a given province and are a new requirement for obtaining a study permit in Canada. This step was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) following the announcement of a cap on the number of study permits the department will process over the next two years.
The number of PALs allocated to each province is based on population, with British Columbia being Canada’s third most populated province after Ontario and Quebec. In B.C., 53% of PALs will be issued to public post-secondary institutions in 2024, while 47% will go to private institutions.
Transparent Fees for International Students
DLIs in B.C. will also be required to post tuition levels for students for the entire duration of their studies. This transparency will allow incoming students to understand the full cost of their education upfront, aiding them in budgeting for life in Canada.
International students significantly contribute to Canada’s economy. A report by Global Affairs Canada revealed that in 2022, international student spending amounted to over $37 billion. Additionally, data from Statistics Canada shows that international undergraduate students paid an average of $38,081 in tuition fees for the 2023/2024 academic year. B.C. currently hosts 111,900 international students in public institutions.
Meeting Standards
As part of the EQA, institutions must meet or exceed the quality assurance standards set by the province. These standards are mandatory for all public and private institutions enrolling international students.
The standards include the development of international education strategic plans, improved student services, housing supports, and measures to ensure Indigenous and domestic students are not displaced.
Meeting these standards builds on the International Framework Measures introduced by the province last January. These measures included pausing the growth of the number of DLIs in the province, increasing oversight of private institutions, and strengthening compliance and enforcement actions. The new measures are considered Phase 2 of this initiative.
DLIs that comply with the EQA code will receive an EQA designation. Institutions that fail to meet the EQA code of practice will lose their EQA designation, rendering them unable to accept international students.
Explore Your Options to Study in Canada
These new guidelines mark a significant step in maintaining the quality and integrity of B.C.’s international student program. For those considering studying in Canada, it’s crucial to stay informed about these changes and explore your options to ensure a successful educational journey.
