Atlantic Universities See Sharp Decline in Foreign Students Due to Federal Caps

New federal immigration policies have led to a significant drop in international student enrolment across Atlantic Canada, impacting local economies and university revenues.

• Atlantic Canadian universities experienced a decrease of nearly 3,000 international students this academic year, representing an 11.4% drop from the previous year.
• Nova Scotia was hit hardest, losing over 2,000 foreign students, while Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Prince Edward Island saw declines of 747 and 143 students, respectively.
• The federal government implemented a cap on international student applications, reducing numbers by 35% for this year, with an additional 10% cut announced for 2025.
• University officials warn that the reduction in foreign students undermines efforts to internationalize campuses and attract new citizens to the region.
• The decline in international enrolment poses financial challenges for Atlantic universities, which rely heavily on tuition from foreign students to sustain their operations.

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