Douglas Olsen
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has seen a sharp decline in new international student enrolment during the 2024-25 academic year. The university welcomed close to 4,300 international students from 109 countries in the fall semester, a decrease of about 400 students compared to the same time last year. This drop is attributed to federal restrictions limiting the number of international student permits in Canada, impacting TRU's finances and prompting the university to enhance recruitment efforts in specific regions and countries. TRU's VP International, Baihua Chadwick, stated that the university is prioritizing recruitment from Latin America and exploring markets in mid and east Asia, regions less sensitive to permit changes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the University | Thompson Rivers University |
| Number of international students | 4,300 |
| Number of new international students | 679 |
| Number of countries represented | 109 |
| Previous year's international student count | 4,600-4,700 |
| Decline in international students compared to the previous year | 400 |
| Percentage decrease in international students | 35% |
| Countries with large student populations in the past | India, Nigeria, China, and Iran |
| Target enrollment for the current semester | 4,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Thompson Rivers University's international student numbers
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, Canada, has seen a sharp decline in new international student enrolment for the 2024-25 academic year. This follows the Canadian government's announcement in January 2024 of a 35% cut in international student permits, capped for two years.
In the fall semester of 2024, TRU welcomed close to 4,300 international students, a decrease of about 400 students compared to the previous year. This number includes 679 new international students. The university's strategic enrolment management target for the fall semester was 4,000 students, which it met.
The decline in international student enrolment is expected to impact TRU's finances, with further declines anticipated in the upcoming winter semester and beyond. In response, TRU has increased recruitment efforts in regions and countries less sensitive to the permit changes, such as Latin America, and is developing new programs attractive to both domestic and international students. The university is also investing in high-priority strategic projects, such as TRU Wildfire, and creating new and revamped programs, including majors in applied creative arts and politics and international studies.
TRU has traditionally welcomed large student populations from India, Nigeria, China, and Iran. However, with the recent changes in international student permits, the university expects a further decrease in new enrolment in the next few years, impacting all higher education institutions in Canada.
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International student permit caps
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has seen a sharp decline in new international students during the 2024-25 academic year following changes to international student permits. In January 2024, the Canadian government announced a 35% decrease in the number of international student permits, with a cap of around 360,000 permits for 2024. This cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits across Canada, a reduction of 35% from 2023. The government has stated that this measure is necessary to stabilize the growth of international students in the country and address concerns about meeting obligations to international students.
TRU's international enrolment has been significantly impacted by these changes, with a decrease of about 400 students compared to the previous year. The university's finances are also expected to take a hit, with a projected surplus of $5.5 million in the first quarter of its 2024-25 financial forecast. In response, TRU is developing new programs to attract both domestic and international students and is prioritizing recruitment from regions less sensitive to the permit changes, such as Latin America and East Asia. The university is also investing in strategic projects, such as the TRU Wildfire initiative, and is working on new and revamped programs, including majors in applied creative arts and politics and international studies.
The international student permit caps in Canada have been implemented to address issues related to the integrity of the international student system. Some institutions have significantly increased their intake of international students to drive revenues, leading to concerns about meeting obligations to these students and providing them with the necessary support. Additionally, rapid increases in international student enrolment can strain resources and services, including housing and healthcare.
The government has emphasized that Canada remains open to international students and that universities are still accepting applications. However, prospective international students are advised to understand the details of the changes and how they may be affected, including additional requirements such as the provincial letter of attestation. The cap primarily affects undergraduate and college students, with postgraduate students now included in the 2025 cap. Students pursuing master's or doctoral studies, or those in elementary or secondary school programs, are exempt from the cap.
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TRU's finances
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has seen a sharp decline in new international student enrolment during the 2024-25 academic year. In the fall semester, TRU welcomed close to 4,300 international students, a decrease of about 400 students compared to the same time last year. This drop is attributed to federal restrictions limiting the number of international student permits in Canada, as well as institutional measures aimed at reducing on-campus international students.
TRU's VP International, Baihua Chadwick, stated that the university is focusing its recruitment efforts on regions and countries less sensitive to permit changes. The university is also prioritizing "`relevant and meaningful`" graduate programming to prevent a major drop in international student enrolment. TRU's board of governors has approved new and revamped programs, including majors in applied creative arts and politics and international studies, as well as wildfire education programs as part of its TRU Wildfire initiative.
Despite the decline in international student numbers, TRU remains committed to its strategic enrolment management goals. The university is targeting recruitment efforts towards students who have expressed interest previously and countries with a high rate of approved study permits. TRU is also investing in high-priority strategic projects, such as the TRU Wildfire initiative, which is critical to the university's future growth. While TRU navigates the financial challenges posed by declining enrolment, it aims to maintain its focus on strategically important objectives, including the development of new and revitalized programs.
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Recruitment strategies
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has seen a sharp decline in new international student enrolment for the 2024-25 academic year, with around 4,300 international students, a decrease of about 400 students compared to the previous year. This drop is attributed to the federal restrictions limiting the number of international students in Canada and changes to international student permits. In response, TRU has implemented several recruitment strategies to attract more international students:
- Developing new programs that appeal to both domestic and international students, such as a major in applied creative arts and a post-baccalaureate diploma in politics and international studies.
- Prioritizing recruitment from Latin America and exploring markets in mid and east Asia, regions less affected by permit changes.
- Increasing recruitment activities at international high schools and building infrastructure and resources to support high-demand fields.
- Enhancing scholarship offerings and expanding communication strategies to reach potential students.
- Forming partnerships for new recruitment channels and targeting countries with a high rate of approved study permits for Canada.
- Focusing on students who have previously expressed interest and those whose admission was deferred.
These strategies aim to counteract the decline in international student enrolment and ensure TRU's financial stability.
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Countries of origin
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has welcomed close to 4,300 international students from 109 countries around the world. However, this number is a decrease from the previous year, where the university welcomed 4,600 to almost 4,700 international students. The decline in international student enrolment is attributed to the federal restrictions limiting the number of international students in Canada and changes to international student permits.
In the past, TRU has welcomed large student populations from specific countries, including India, Nigeria, China, and Iran. However, with the recent changes in international student permits, the university is exploring new regions and countries that are less sensitive to these changes. For example, TRU is prioritizing recruitment from Latin America and is also exploring markets in mid and east Asia.
TRU has implemented various strategies to attract international students from different countries. They have increased recruitment activity at international high schools and developed partnerships for new recruitment channels. The university is also building infrastructure and resources to support high-demand fields and has enhanced its scholarship offerings. Additionally, TRU is focusing its recruitment efforts in countries where Canada has a high rate of approving study permits.
Students from various countries, including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Iran, and Nigeria, are eligible for specific application processes at TRU. The university provides a pre-admission service for these nationalities, and applicants must use this service before applying through EPBC. TRU's marketing services representatives are available to assist prospective international students with the application process.
In conclusion, TRU has a diverse international student population, with students coming from numerous countries worldwide. The university is actively working to maintain and increase its international student enrolment by targeting specific regions and countries and implementing strategic recruitment initiatives. These efforts are essential to the university's growth and development, especially in the face of declining international student numbers across Canada.
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Frequently asked questions
Close to 4,300 international students from 109 countries are currently enrolled at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
Yes, TRU has seen a sharp decline in new international students during the 2024-25 academic year. This is possibly due to the temporary cap to reduce the number of new student visas by more than one-third.
The decline in international student enrollment is expected to impact TRU's finances, with a projected $5.5 million surplus in the first quarter of its 2024-25 financial forecast.
TRU is increasing recruitment activity at international high schools, building infrastructure and resources to support high-demand fields, enhancing scholarship offerings, and developing new programs attractive to both domestic and international students.
