Université de Moncton has reported a second consecutive annual decline in international student enrollment, with more than 1,700 international students registered across its three campuses for the fall semester.
The figure represents a 3% decrease compared with the previous academic year. The decline comes just over two years after the federal government introduced a cap on the number of international students permitted to study in Canada.
Multiple Contributing Factors
The university’s shrinking international student population is partly attributable to students who have completed their university studies. However, some students point to additional factors that may help explain the drop in enrollment this year.
Financial Impact and Budget Adjustments
Although it has not disclosed specific figures, Université de Moncton acknowledges a financial shortfall that has forced it to reduce budget allocations for its Edmundston and Shippagan campuses.
Despite the financial pressures, the university says it has no plans to eliminate academic programs at this time.
There are, however, some encouraging signs. The institution has recorded a modest increase in new first-year student enrollments, even as its overall international student numbers continue to fall.
Outlook and Strategic International Recruitment Efforts
Université de Moncton intends to maintain its international recruitment efforts and is also counting on a federal pilot program designed to support immigration for international students looking to settle in French-speaking communities outside Quebec.
The initiative offers a pathway to permanent residence for eligible newcomers, including French-speaking international students.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada recently extended the pilot program by one year, allowing applications to be submitted until August 2027. No decision has yet been made regarding the program’s future beyond that deadline.