Title: Dwindling International Enrolment at Saskatchewan’s Largest Universities
Saskatchewan’s premier universities, the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan, are currently facing a considerable reduction in student enrolment, especially from international students. This decline is primarily due to the limit imposed on the number of international students permitted to enter the country.
Data from the University of Regina reveals that there were 3,843 international undergraduate students in the fall of 2024, a slight decrease from 3,200 in 2023. However, the most significant difference is the number of new admissions. The University saw a sharp drop from 958 new international students in 2024 to just 393 the following winter.
Despite the overall number of international students remaining steady, the University expressed its concern over the decreasing number of new international students. They fear that this trend could lead to a more significant decline in the future as existing students complete their programs.
The University is now considering the potential impact of this decrease in international student enrolment and is actively working with federal and provincial agencies to minimize any potential negative consequences.
Similarly, the University of Saskatchewan is also experiencing a drop in enrolment. According to a statement from the University, there’s been a reduction in international student enrolment across all study levels, amounting to about 500 students for the 2024-25 year.
The decline, which is around 22 per cent for both new and continuing undergraduate international students, was expected. The University attributes this to the new financial proof requirements and intake caps implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2024.
The University of Saskatchewan expects a further decline for the 2025-26 academic year, especially among international graduate students, due to the implementation of an intake cap for graduate students and the ongoing negative perception of Canada as a study destination.
The decline in international student enrolment is forecasted to result in approximately $10 million in lost revenue for the University of Saskatchewan.
These ongoing issues underscore the vital role that international students play in Canada’s educational system and the need for policies that promote rather than hinder their enrolment.
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