B.C.'s International Student Allocation Sparks Concern for Public Colleges
British Columbia's post-secondary education system is facing significant instability as international student enrolment continues to decline dramatically. The provincial government's method of distributing limited international student seats between public and private institutions is now drawing increased scrutiny from education experts and stakeholders.
More than 30 percent of available spots for incoming international undergraduate students in B.C. are being allocated to private colleges and universities by the provincial government. This distribution model stands in stark contrast to Ontario's approach, where only four percent of international undergraduate seats go to private institutions.
Funding Crisis Hits Public Institutions
The recent cuts to international student targets, including an additional 65 percent reduction announced in last week's federal budget, have begun to destabilize B.C.'s entire post-secondary system. Multiple colleges and universities have already responded by suspending programs and implementing staff layoffs.
According to Dale McCartney, a professor at the University of the Fraser Valley who specializes in international student policy, the initial frustration stemmed from a missed opportunity to strategically structure the post-secondary system. "It's clear now that we are in a moment of real pain for many institutions," McCartney stated. "I'm afraid the government could just let them flounder."
The financial impact of declining international student enrolment is expected to ripple throughout the education system, potentially affecting class sizes, program availability, graduation timelines, and possibly even tuition rates for domestic students. Small- to medium-sized public schools appear to be among the hardest hit by these changes.
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Students
British Columbia's public colleges serve a disproportionately high number of underserved populations, including higher enrolment of part-time students, working students, first-generation students, Indigenous students, racialized communities, and students from low-income families. This information comes from a draft copy of a 2022 government report obtained through freedom of information legislation and recently released by the B.C. Federation of Students.
While the federal government sets international student targets for each province—allocating approximately 76,000 Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to B.C. in 2025, including about 48,000 for undergraduate students—the provincial governments maintain responsibility for distributing these seats among various institutions.
The provincial ministry of post-secondary education has declined to provide a detailed breakdown of how many seats were distributed to each public and private institution across B.C. this year. However, they confirmed that 68 percent went to public schools while 32 percent were allocated to private institutions, highlighting the significant share directed toward the private education sector despite the crucial role public colleges play in serving vulnerable student populations.
