Canada Rises to Second Place for International Students in New Survey

A recent survey conducted by ApplyBoard has revealed that Canada is regaining its status as a leading destination for international students. The country climbed to second place among top choices for studying abroad, moving up from fourth position just six months prior. This change reflects Canada’s reputation as an “open, safe and welcoming” environment for students.

According to the ApplyBoard fall survey, released on March 15, 2025, Canada is now the second most attractive international education destination, following the U.K. The United States has fallen further down the rankings, impacted by ongoing concerns over immigration policies. The survey, which gathers insights from a network of student recruitment professionals, aims to understand how changes in government policies affect student interest and choices.

Over the past two years, Canada enjoyed the top spot in the survey until a significant overhaul of its international education program in spring 2025. This reform included capping the number of new study permits and tightening access to post-graduation work permits. These measures were introduced amid growing concerns among Canadians regarding high immigration rates, which have been linked to challenges such as an affordable housing crisis, a strained healthcare system, and rising living costs.

The ApplyBoard survey indicates a projected 50% decrease in the number of new study permits approved in 2025 compared to the previous year. Despite these challenges, 84.3% of the 400 recruiters surveyed still view Canada positively, rating it as “open, safe and welcoming.” This figure is just behind the U.K.’s 86.9% and ahead of Australia (81.8%), Germany (80%), and Ireland (74.4%), with the U.S. trailing at 50%.

While Canada’s positive perception increased slightly from 79.1% six months ago, it remains well below the peak level of 93.7% recorded in 2023. The U.K. was identified as a “very attractive” or “attractive” destination by 82% of respondents, followed by Canada at 74%, the U.S. at 67%, Australia at 66%, Germany at 60%, and Ireland at 50%.

Cost considerations are paramount for students when selecting study destinations. The survey highlighted that 91.4% of respondents cited tuition costs as a critical factor, followed by post-graduation work opportunities (87.8%), cost of living (76.7%), job availability during studies (74.6%), and the welcoming nature of the destination (48.6%).

As living expenses continue to rise in many destinations, budget-conscious students may increasingly opt for more affordable communities or shorter academic programs, such as accelerated degrees or graduate diplomas. The ApplyBoard report suggests that institutions effectively promoting these programs, while clearly outlining the post-study opportunities available, can attract future leaders to their campuses.

Interestingly, perceptions of affordability dipped across most destinations over the last six months, with the exception of Canada. The favorable view of Canada’s affordability increased to 67.3% from 63.6% over the past year. Germany and Ireland remained the most affordable options, with ratings of 76.8% and 68.7%, respectively.

The survey also identified additional strategies that institutions could employ to attract prospective students. These include offering scholarships to top international students, guaranteed on-campus housing (including options for families), access to public health plans, and financial assistance through partnerships with government entities.

Overall, the survey indicated that 47% of student recruiters reported an increased interest in international education. The ApplyBoard report expressed optimism regarding the growing demand, stating, “It’s encouraging that more recruitment professionals are reporting strengthening student demand year-over-year.”

This resurgence in Canada’s appeal as a destination for international students highlights the evolving landscape of global education and the factors influencing student choices.