Canada’s Diminishing Allure for Indian Students
Canada, once a popular destination for Indian students pursuing higher education, is experiencing a decline in applications. This year, the number of Indian students applying to Canadian universities has plummeted by a significant 40-45%, signaling a shift in preferences.
A multitude of factors have contributed to this downturn. The Canadian government’s decision to reduce international student quotas by 35% in 2024 has created uncertainty among prospective students. Moreover, the country’s housing crisis has left incoming students struggling to find adequate accommodation, further deterring applications.
The job market for students and young professionals in Canada has also been challenging in recent years, exacerbating the apprehensions of Indian students. Consultants predict that the cloud of uncertainty hanging over higher education in Canada will continue until the upcoming elections in October 2025.
The University of Toronto, one of Canada’s largest universities, has seen a 40% drop in applications from India this year. Joseph Wong, the university’s vice-president for international affairs, attributes this decline to the lack of clarity and uncertainty surrounding Canada’s student policies.
The university is now doubling down on its efforts to communicate with Indian students, holding events in Mumbai and Delhi to address their concerns. However, students preparing to commence their studies in the 2024-2025 academic year remain apprehensive.
The cap on international students and stricter work visa rules have prompted many students to opt for other countries even at the application stage. Even though the cap does not apply to postgraduate or doctoral courses, uncertainty has led students to explore alternative destinations.
Siddharth Roshan, a 25-year-old civil engineer, initially planned to pursue his MBA in Canada but changed his plans due to concerns about the high Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and housing crisis. He will now attend The University of Texas, Dallas instead.
Canada’s GIC requirement has been raised from CAD $10,000 to CAD $20,635, effective from 2024. A GIC is a financial instrument that serves as proof of a student’s financial stability in Canada.
The Canadian government’s decision to implement an intake cap for international students in 2024 has further dampened the enthusiasm of Indian students. Immigration minister Marc Miller stated that the cap is intended to maintain a sustainable level of temporary residence and prevent further growth in international student numbers.
Colleges and consultants had anticipated a dip in applications, but the real impact is now becoming evident as students begin applying for visas for the fall session, which typically attracts the highest number of enrollments.
Vaibhav Gupta, chief marketing officer of iSchoolConnect Pvt Ltd, an overseas education consultant, expects a decline from 3,000 to 2,200 Indian students heading to Canada this year. The company has also observed an increase in deferral rates for Canada, reflecting students’ uncertainties.
Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, reports a 44% drop in applications for Canada this year. The company helps students secure loans for studying abroad and has witnessed a steady decline in Canada’s popularity since 2018.
With the upcoming Canadian elections looming, the uncertainty surrounding student policies is likely to persist. Until then, the US, Australia, and some European countries like Germany will remain the preferred destinations for Indian students seeking higher education abroad.
