According to a report, there is a shifting landscape at Canadian universities. International students are diversifying Canadian Universities. 

Nigerians were Canada’s fastest-growing international/ foreign student population from January to June 2023, with 44% more study permits issued in these months than during all of 2022. Around 18,000 Canadian study permits were issued to Nigerian students in the first six months of 2023. 

Although Indian students hold the most study permits in Canada, this number is reducing. 

Between July & October 2022, the government processed almost 146,000 new study permit applications for Indian students. Moreover, across the same time period, the government processed fewer than 87,000. This implies that the number of study permit applications processed for Indian students is down more than 40% in 2023. 

Business Programs Makeup Huge Proportions Of Student Visas Issued

International students are diversifying Canadian Universities. Both Indian & non-Indian students have been pursuing postgraduate business courses at high rates. This field accounted for half of all study permits issued to postgraduate Indian students through September 2023, an increase of 23% points compared to 2019. 

Business programs continue to capture a more considerable proportion of international students at Canadian universities in 2023. From January to September 2023, business management courses accounted for a larger proportion of study permits issued than they did for all of 2022.  

Since 2016, business & management have accounted for a larger proportion of student visas issued for Canadian universities each year. By September 2023, the proportion of student visas for business programs reached 36%, a 15% increase from 2016. 

Specifically, business & management programs accounted for 48% of all study permits issued to Indian students in September 2023, which was 25% higher than in 2016. 

At the postgraduate level, business & management was the fastest-growing field, i.e., up to 180%. In addition, it accounted for over 38% of all study permits issued, an increase of 15 percentage points. 

Growing Diversity In Health & General Science Programs

Health & general sciences grew 51% through September 2023 compared to 2019 at the undergraduate level. 

Nigeria has been the most significant driver of diversity in these programs. More than 1,300 Nigerian students were issued a study permit for this field through September 2023, a growth of 430% over the full year 2019. 

Ghana represents an emerging student population in Canada. The number of Ghanaian students issued a study permit at the undergraduate level for health & general science programs already doubled through September 2023 over the full year 2022 & was 660% higher than the full year 2019. 

At the postgraduate level, health & general science programs grew 25% through September 2023 compared to 2019. Students from India, Iran, & Nigeria have driven the field’s growth since full-year 2019. 

Computing & IT Programs Grew More Than Any Other Field

International students are diversifying Canadian Universities. One of the fields is computing & IT. 

The number of international students pursuing computing & IT programs grew 110% through September 2023 over the full year 2019 at the undergraduate level, higher than any other field study. 

The greatest majority of students studying in the computing & IT field are from India, making up 30.5% of student visas issued. However, Nigeria, Guinea, Algeria, & Nepal are nations driving these programs’ increased popularity. The proportion of student visas issued to Nigerian, Algerian, Guinean, & Nepali nationals at the undergraduate level rose three percentage points each in 2023 compared to 2019. 

At the postgraduate level, IT & computing grew 70% through September 2023 from 2019. 

Chinese students have largely driven this growth. In addition, through September 2023, the number of study permits issued to Chinese students for these programs was up by 74% compared to 2022 & 170% compared to 2019. 

Engineering Programs Witnessing Significant Growth

Engineering grew 32% through September 2023 over the full year 2019 at the undergraduate level. 

Students from African nations are fueling expansion & diversity in undergraduate engineering programs. As of September 2023, five out of ten & twelve out of twenty consisted of African populations in undergraduate engineering students. In addition, no nation beyond Africa achieved growth exceeding 10% compared to the full year 2022. 

ApplyBoard hypotheses that Algeria could be a growing & critical source of engineering students for Canadian universities. In addition, engineering students accounted for 22% of all study permits issued to Algerian undergraduates through September 2023. 

At the postgraduate level, engineering grew 41% through September 2023 compared to 2019. Algeria, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan, & Ghana have contributed to the shift in student diversity. These emerging student populations have more than doubled over this time frame.

What Are The Key Takeaways From These Statistics? 

The article demonstrates that Canada continues to be a top study destination for international students. Moreover, diverse student populations are interested in a growing number of programs & fields of study. This emphasizes Canada’s ability to provide a broad & inclusive educational environment that caters to the evolving interests & needs of a global student community. 

Increased diversity in universities across Canada is beneficial not only for the universities but also for the students. With a more diverse population, students are exposed to new perspectives & viewpoints, which ultimately leads to a higher-quality educational experience.