A recent shift in international education policies in Canada and Australia has sparked significant debate within the sector. Both nations, traditionally popular destinations for students, particularly from Nepal, have announced plans to cap international student enrolments.
Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, and Australia’s education minister, Jason Clare, are leading the charge in limiting the number of students entering their countries, citing reasons such as managing visa requirements, improving immigration controls, and maintaining educational standards.
Historically, these countries have welcomed high numbers of international students, contributing to their diverse campus cultures and financial ecosystems. However, as the demand for international education has soared, governments are now focusing on quality over quantity. There is a growing concern about how this will impact students aspiring to study in these nations.
In 2024 alone, approximately 1.33 million Nepalese students are pursuing higher education abroad, a significant jump from 2005 when about 138,000 students left India. While countries like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada have expanded their institutions, they cannot keep pace with the surging number of applicants. The imbalance between supply and demand is now leading these governments to reevaluate their strategies, shifting focus towards attracting highly skilled and academically proficient students.
The impact of these policy changes is yet to be fully seen, but it raises important questions about future trends in international student mobility and the emergence of new study destinations.