Commonwealth_ A growing number of students living in the United States are applying to Canadian universities or exploring opportunities to study there, driven largely by the US administration’s recent actions to slash federal funding for higher education and revoke student visas. Several Canadian institutions, including the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Toronto, and the University of Waterloo, have reported an increase in interest and applications from US-based students for the 2025 academic year.
UBC’s Vancouver campus has seen a significant 27% rise in graduate applications from US citizens as of March 1, compared to the entirety of the 2024 admissions cycle. In response to the spike, the university temporarily reopened admissions to several graduate programs for American applicants and announced plans to fast-track their applications in time for the September intake. Gage Averill, UBC Vancouver’s provost and vice president of academics, attributed the trend to recent US policies that are creating uncertainty and tension for foreign and domestic students alike.
Averill specifically pointed to the US administration’s decision to revoke foreign student visas, ramp up surveillance of international students’ social media, and implement sweeping funding cuts to universities. He noted that such measures have raised serious concerns over academic freedom and the safety of international students in the US. “There’s been a crackdown on visas for international students and even the development of a center to monitor their social media,” Averill said, adding that these actions are making Canada a more attractive option for students seeking academic stability and personal security.
Meanwhile, the University of Toronto, Canada’s largest university by student population, has reported a noticeable uptick in applications from those living or studying in the US, although it did not cite specific reasons for the rise. The institution has long been considered a viable alternative to the Ivy League, offering world-class education in a politically stable environment. Similarly, the University of Waterloo, renowned for its engineering and technical graduate programs, noted a surge in interest from US students. Since September 2024, it has experienced a 15% increase in web traffic from the US and more visitors to its campus visitors center.
While not all universities explicitly connected the rise in US interest to its policies, UBC was clear in its stance. Averill emphasized the increasing pressure on American universities, particularly those that continue to support diversity, equity, and climate science programs, targets of the current administration’s funding restrictions. “We are deeply concerned about the state of our sister institutions in the US,” Averill said.
Various developments are prompting many students to look north for a more supportive academic environment.
However, studying in Canada comes with its set of challenges. The Canadian government has implemented a cap on the number of international students permitted to enter the country for the second consecutive year, citing concerns over housing and support services. Canada’s immigration ministry has stated that each institution must only accept as many international students as it can adequately accommodate. Distribution of these spaces is managed by provincial and territorial governments.
Despite this cap, Canadian universities are experiencing growing interest, especially for graduate-level programs. While UBC saw only a 2% increase in undergraduate applications, likely because deadlines closed around the time of Trump’s inauguration, campus tour requests from US students rose by 20%, suggesting a building momentum.
The convergence of political tensions, educational uncertainty, and tightened immigration policies in the US is influencing students’ academic choices. As Canada maintains a reputation for openness and academic freedom, it appears poised to become an increasingly popular destination for students seeking refuge from restrictive and unpredictable policies south of the border.
