UPEI Faces 14.2% Drop in International Enrolment Amid Policy Changes

International enrolment at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) has fallen by 14.2 percent for the 2025 academic year, reflecting the impact of recent federal policies aimed at regulating international study permits. This decline has resulted in smaller, less diverse classrooms, prompting concerns among students and university officials alike.

According to a preliminary survey released by the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU), international student numbers at UPEI have dropped significantly over the past three years. Enrolments fell from 1,995 in 2023 to 1,852 in 2024, culminating in 1,589 students for the current academic year. This trend is part of a broader decline affecting universities across Atlantic Canada.

Impact of Federal Policies

UPEI’s Vice-President of Academic and Research, Greg Naterer, indicated that the university anticipated this decrease due to the federal government’s two-year cap on study permits and more stringent admission processes. He noted, “Like most universities in Canada, we expected a decline in the numbers because of the decrease in international students.” Naterer further explained that this trend is likely to persist, with smaller first-year classes translating into reduced numbers in subsequent years. “It’s going to be a smaller Year 2 class and a Year 3 class every year for the next three to four years. So, it’s going to be an ongoing challenge for us,” he added.

Students are already noticing the effects of this decline. Mobasherah Falak, a master’s student in computer science, shared her observations as a teaching assistant. “There used to be around more than 180 students in a normal statistics lab. Right now, it has decreased to 60 students. That’s almost a threefold decrease,” she explained. This reduction has altered the dynamics of classroom interactions, as students now have fewer opportunities to collaborate and exchange ideas with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Challenges of Reduced Diversity

The diminished enrolment has created not just academic challenges but social ones as well. Falak pointed out that the lack of diversity has led to a quieter classroom atmosphere, where students tend to form familiar groups rather than engaging with a broader range of classmates. “Someone from Nepal would have less opportunity to interact with someone from other regions,” she said. This limitation can hinder the peer learning experiences that many international students rely on for adaptation.

The effects are particularly pronounced in certain programs. Aadesh Nunkoo, a master’s student in statistics from Mauritius, reported that his department has seen a significant decline in international graduate student numbers. “For this fall semester, we only have two,” he noted, contrasting this with the five enrolled when he first joined the program. He attributes this change to stricter visa limits and heightened financial requirements imposed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

While the overall picture is concerning, Naterer mentioned a slight increase in domestic enrolment, which has risen by approximately three percent. “That’s positive news amidst the challenge of international student decline,” he remarked.

In a statement, Paul Mazerolle, president of the AAU and the University of New Brunswick, emphasized the negative impact of the federal cap on international study permits, which was introduced in January 2024. The AAU reported a 36 percent decline in international student numbers across Atlantic universities since the cap’s implementation, equating to approximately 9,425 fewer students. Mazerolle stated, “Atlantic Canada and our universities have been disproportionately hurt by the federal government’s ‘cap’ placed on international students aspiring to pursue higher education in our region.”

As UPEI navigates these challenges, the administration remains committed to addressing student concerns and fostering a collaborative environment. Naterer affirmed that the university is actively working with the UPEI student union to find solutions as they adapt to these shifting enrolment patterns.

The ongoing situation at UPEI mirrors a larger trend affecting universities across Canada, highlighting the complexities of international education in the context of evolving governmental policies.