How Many Indian Students Are Studying in Canada?

Canada is now the darling destination of Indian students with enrollments surging in the last two decades. In 2000, 2,181 Indian students were enrolled in Canadian universities. In 2021, there were 128,928, which increased by over 5,800%. In 2023, Indian students in Canada constituted 41% of Canada’s international students of an estimated 600,000 students.

Fun Fact: Indian students contribute enormously to the North American country for study. Foreign students like Indians received C$22 billion as tuition fee, residence, and other charges in the year 2022 alone.

Why are Indian Students Choosing Canada to Study Abroad?

There are several factors because of which Indians are progressively opting for Canada, with the largest number of students in 2023 being multiple lakh admissions. Indian students prefer Canadian universities that have specialist infrastructure and study facilities. Because Indian students receive scholarships and grants, higher studies in Canada are no longer a financial burden.

Overseas Indian students are increasing, and Canada has emerged as one of the desired places to study. Foreign universities also target students with customized services and cultural activities. As the world leader in education, Canada welcomes thousands of Indian students and they pursue numerous courses in the nation.

1. World-Class Education System

Canada boasts some of the world’s best universities, such as University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of British Columbia. They offer high-quality academics, globally accepted degrees, and research options. Canadian education is a popular Indian pull.

Fun Fact: Canadian universities have consistently been ranked among the world’s top 50 universities for Engineering, Business, and Computer Science programs.

2. Affordable Education Compared to the U.S. and U.K.

Canadian education is cheaper than that of the U.S. and the U.K. Additionally, students can obtain scholarships and part-time employment to cover costs. Affordability also affects the number of Indian aspirants in Canada.

Country	Average Annual Tuition (USD)
Canada	$10,000 – $30,000
USA	$20,000 – $50,000
UK	$15,000 – $40,000
Australia	$18,000 – $45,000

3. Study Permit, Work Permit, Visa and Immigration Opportunities

One of the greatest perks of studying overseas in Canada is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). With the PGWP, students have the opportunity to work in Canada for three years after graduation. Indians utilize most of these opportunities to acquire working experience and are eventually permanent residents.

Interesting Statistic: Indian graduates in Canada have more than 60% of them who apply for residency within five years of graduation.

4. Safe and Inclusive Environment

Canada is a very safe country. Multicultural cities and large Indian populations make the students feel at home.

Fun Fact: Indian cultural festivals, Bollywood movie nights, and South Asian food streets are the order of the day in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, making it convenient for students to stay connected to their roots.

Recent Developments and Challenges For International Students and Indian Students in Canada

Despite growing numbers, 2024 witnessed a decline in education permits given because of stringent visa policies and economic instability. The Canadian government is exerting more control.

• Between January and June 2024, 55,500 post-secondary education permits were issued to Indian applicants, which was less than in previous years.
• Around 20,000 Indian applicants did not report at their respective centers of learning during March-April 2024 because of issues related to illegal migration networks.

The cap on foreign student permits given has put Canada’s largest foreign student populations into perspective.

What are the Most Popular Courses Among Indian Students Studying in Canada?

Indian candidates in Canada pursue various courses, the most popular of which are in great demand by lakh Indian students. In 2023, Canada experienced a significant boom in admissions in various streams, a testiment to the growing popularity of Canadian universities.

With a sound academic background and job prospects, the universities keep attracting students from all over the world. The figure of education permits given to Indian aspirants is still a prime indicator of this growing trend. Education in Canada is of world standard, so it is a hot destination for education. Thus, India’s student community is on the rise in Canadian universities.

Field of Study	Percentage of Indians
Business & Management	30%
Computer Science & IT	25%
Engineering	20%
Health Sciences	10%
Environmental Science	5%
Others	10%

Fun Fact: Courses in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Sustainable Energy are seeing a sharp rise in enrollments among Indian students.

Best Provinces for Indian Students

Indian aspirants often choose provinces with top universities and employment opportunities. The number of Indian students choosing these provinces varies.

Province	% of Indian aspirants	Major Cities
Ontario	42%	Toronto, Ottawa
British Columbia	22%	Vancouver, Victoria
Alberta	12%	Calgary, Edmonton
Quebec	10%	Montreal, Quebec City
Others	14%	Winnipeg, Halifax

Top 15 Study Destinations for Indian Students in Canada

Canada provides many top-tier universities that enroll some of the highest numbers of international students from India annually. These institutions deliver quality education, research experience, and excellent career opportunities. According to reports from various educational sources, the government is also considering enhancing policies for supporting Indian aspirants.

The student direct stream has accelerated visa processing, making the application process smoother. Canada still hosts one of the biggest groups of international students, as reported by the Times Syndication Service. Nevertheless, there have been proposals for a limit on the number of study permits given to ensure balance in the education system.

Rank	University Name	Average Annual Fees (CAD)	Popular Courses	Average Salary (Post-Graduation)	Number of Indian Aspirants
1	University of Toronto	$45,000	Engineering, Business, Medicine	$80,000	25,000
2	University of British Columbia	$38,000	Computer Science, Law, Arts	$75,000	20,000
3	McGill University	$37,000	Finance, Medicine, Engineering	$78,000	18,500
4	University of Alberta	$32,000	AI, Energy Studies, Environmental Science	$70,000	15,000
5	University of Waterloo	$40,000	Data Science, Engineering, Technology	$85,000	17,000
6	Western University	$36,000	Business, Law, Medical Sciences	$72,000	12,000
7	Queen’s University	$35,000	Public Policy, Finance, Engineering	$74,000	10,500
8	University of Calgary	$30,000	Petroleum Engineering, Business	$68,000	9,000
9	Simon Fraser University	$31,000	Communications, Computer Science	$67,000	7,500
10	Dalhousie University	$28,000	Marine Biology, Healthcare	$65,000	6,500
11	University of Ottawa	$33,000	Law, International Relations	$70,000	8,000
12	York University	$34,000	Media, Business, Finance	$66,000	9,000
13	University of Manitoba	$27,000	Agriculture, Environmental Science	$60,000	5,500
14	Carleton University	$29,000	Political Science, Journalism	$62,000	4,500
15	Concordia University	$30,000	Creative Arts, Business, Engineering	$64,000	7,000

Political and Policy Challenges for the International Student Population

Pre-existing diplomatic tensions between the diplomats of India and Canada have resulted in the amendment of education permit applications. The Canadian government’s policy changes could impact international students from India, as per the Ministry of External Affairs. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh referred to this matter in the Rajya Sabha.

The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) also issued a news release on an international student permit quota. This can decrease Indian applicants looking for Canada’s higher education in 2025 from 2023.

Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada concerning an envoy have prompted policymakers to concern themselves with potential applications. Indian applicants failing to get study permits have caused policy concerns.

Conclusion

Canada remains a popular option for Indian aspirants on the basis of quality of education, work after studies, and welcoming reception. Indian study abroad offices continue to evolve based on study permit applications and study permits issued to Indian aspirants.

Prospective students, however, will need to remain current on policy updates and cuts to study permits issued. The largest international prospect groups can shift based on approved study permits and citizenship Canada policy. International aspirant support remains crucial to create a smooth study experience in Canada.

With the times of India reporting a decline in study permits, the Indian candidates may also see things change in the years to come.

Are you dreaming to study in Canada? Schedule a call now with our experts at Ambitio and watch your career aspirations take off!

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