N.S. universities to see large decrease in international students for coming school year

Nova Scotia is set to receive nearly 13,000 International Study Permit applications for the 2024 school year. That’s down nearly 20,000 from last year. There’s no doubt that the IRCC policy change regarding international student permits will have an impact. The applications will be distributed among 32 universities and colleges for students working on undergraduate or certificate programs. The changes are a result of the federal government’s attempts to ease the National Housing shortage. Slashing study permits in Canada by more than 1/3. In Nova Scotia, Cape Breton University is taking the biggest hit. We’ve been cut by about 52% from our number in 2021. We’re going to have to work very, very hard at making sure that we get a good conversion rate out of the 5000 that have been allotted to Cape Breton University. Mount Saint Vincent University is in a similar boat. The school has been allotted 860 applications for this academic year, nearly a 50% decrease compared to a recent three-year average. A spokesperson telling Global News in a statement that due to the policy change, our 2024 admission processes for undergrad international students have been delayed due to this change. Saint Mary’s University declined an interview, telling Global News that the university will, quote, take its time to understand the implications for the school. Their numbers have been cut by 8%. Meanwhile, Dalhousie University is up 70% being allotted nearly 1200 applications, they tell Global News Quote We are pleased that Dalhousie’s allocation is appropriate to our usual admission of undergraduate international students and will support our balanced approach to international enrollment growth. The province says they will hold back 99 application spaces to allow for some flexibility to respond to unexpected circumstances or new programs. The thing is that we’re going to continue to lobby the federal government for more allocation. The numbers will be reassessed and reallocated in January 2025. Amber Friday, Global News, Halifax.