International Student Enrolment Plummets in Quebec Universities
A significant decline in international student enrolment is causing concern in Quebec universities, with some experiencing drops of more than 50 percent. The institutions point to stricter immigration regulations as the main factor driving this trend, negatively impacting Canada and Quebec’s global reputation.
At Concordia University, applications from overseas have decreased by 37 percent compared to fall 2024, while McGill University has seen a 22 percent drop. Similarly, the Université de Montréal reports a 31 percent decrease in new international undergraduate enrolments compared to the previous year.
Both enrolment and international applications are plummeting across the network, particularly in French-speaking universities. Even English-language institutions are witnessing a decline in enrolment from other parts of Canada due to tuition hikes in Quebec.
The Université de Sherbrooke has experienced a drastic 58 percent decrease in international undergraduate student enrolment compared to the previous fall, resulting in a substantial loss of revenue for universities.
The sudden decline is attributed to recent immigration policy changes by various government levels. Quebec imposed restrictions on international student applications for higher education, while Ottawa announced plans to reduce the number of temporary residents, including international students.
During the first half of 2025, Canada admitted 88,000 fewer new students than the same period in the previous year. This decline comes at a challenging time for Quebec universities facing financial constraints amidst higher education budget cuts.
The impact of this decline extends beyond financial losses, as international students play a crucial role in research and innovation. Universities emphasize that these students are essential for Quebec to maintain its competitiveness in the global education landscape.
Keyphrase: Quebec international student decline
