CANADA’S international education landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as highlighted by a recent report from ApplyBoard. The analysis reveals a significant departure from the traditional trends dominated by Indian and Chinese students, with African students now driving growth in Canada’s international student population.
‘In 2023, we observed a remarkable surge in the number of African students coming to Canada for education,’ stated the report.
Among the top performers in terms of growth rates are Guinean, Ghanaian, and Nepali students. ApplyBoard’s findings illustrate an extraordinary 180 percent increase in the number of Guinean students compared to the previous year. Similarly, Ghanaian students recorded a 167 percent growth rate, while Nepali students experienced a commendable 166 percent increase.
‘This trend underscores the growing appeal of Canada as a destination for quality education among African students,’ remarked a spokesperson from ApplyBoard.
The report also sheds light on the exponential rise in the number of Nigerian students, with their population more than doubling in the past year. ‘Nigerian students now constitute over 4 percent of Canada’s total international student population in 2023,’ the report revealed.
However, amidst these promising developments, the introduction of Canada’s international student cap raises concerns about its potential impact on future trends. According to the report, institutions may hesitate to accept applications from African countries due to historically low approval rates.
‘Schools may be disinclined to consider applicants from regions with low approval rates, given the limited number of applications they can accept,’ the report cautioned.
The Canadian government’s decision to implement the student cap based on provincial population levels adds another layer of complexity to the situation. With factors such as proof of finance requirements, the trusted institution framework, and restrictions on post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligibility also in play, the exact trajectory of Canada’s international education sector in 2024 remains uncertain.