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Manitoba College Battles Declining International Enrolment Despite Domestic Growth
25 Aug
Summary
- RRC Polytech expects near-record enrolment, but international student decline hurts finances
- Federal policy changes in 2024 led to 35% cut in international undergraduate study permits
- Colleges heavily dependent on Indian students see sharpest drop in approval rates
As the fall semester gets underway, Manitoba's Red River College Polytech (RRC Polytech) is welcoming a near-record number of students to its Winnipeg campuses. However, the college's president and CEO, Fred Meier, says the institution's financial situation remains strained due to a decline in international student enrolment.
Despite an 8% year-over-year growth in total enrolment, RRC Polytech is facing a significant financial impact from the drop in international students, who typically pay higher tuition fees. This is a trend seen across Manitoba's post-secondary institutions, as the federal government moved to restrict international student admissions in early 2024.
The policy changes, which aimed to curb exploitation of international arrivals and ease pressure on Canada's housing market, have had a profound effect. According to Ken Steele, president of Education Inc., the federal government's "dozen different announcements" have caused Canada to fall from the top destination for international students to fourth place in various surveys.
Colleges have been hit particularly hard, with a third to half fewer applications from international students and a sharp decline in approval rates, especially for those relying heavily on Indian students. RRC Polytech's international student Nishant Malhotra says the process of coming to and staying in Canada has become "difficult" for many.
To offset the losses, RRC Polytech has focused on growing its domestic enrolment, adding new programs in areas like entertainment and media arts. However, the college's president acknowledges that the financial impact of the federal policy changes will linger, even as the institution expects to maintain its near-record student numbers.
