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You are here: Atlas of International Student Mobility: HomeCountry ProfilesCanada 2008Canada 2005

Canada 2005

CANADA (2005)

Canada draws its sizable international student population from around the world, with Asian, North American, as well as European coutries all represented among the top ten leading places of origin for international students in Canada.

General Student Data

Total count of all higher education students, both domestic and international:
1,010,000 (2005)

Most recent total for international student enrollment:
75,546 (2005)


Top 10 Sending Places of Origin

Top 10 sending places of origin and percentage of total international student enrollment (in 2005):

    1. China 17,913 (23.7%)
    2. United States 7,851 (10.3%)
    3. France 6,252 (8.2%)
    4. India 2,826 (3.7%)
    5. South Korea 2,328 (3.0%)
    6. Japan 1,551 (2.0%)
    7. Iran 1,515 (2.0%)
    8. Hong Kong 1,371 (1.8%)
    9. Mexico 1,311 (1.7%)
    10. Bangladesh 1,266 (1.6%)



Top 10 Destinations

Top 10 destinations and number of students from given country studying abroad*:

1. United States 29,203
2. United Kingdom 4,640
3. Australia 3,789 (2005)
4. France 1,293
5. Germany 571 (2005)
6. New Zealand 431 (2005)
7. Ireland 416
8. Japan 299
9. Sweden 284
10. Switzerland 264


Methodolgy & Sources

The organizations responsible for international student data collection include:
  • Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC);
  • Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC);
  • Association of Canadian Community Colleges;
  • International Development Research Centre (IDRC);
  • Statistics Canada;
  • The Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education; and
  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

    Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is the main data source of information related to international statistics. The frequency of data collection varies by source. The definition of an "international student" is a temporary resident who has been approved by an immigration officer to study in Canada. The study permit identifies the level of study and the length of time the individual may study in Canada. Students do not need a study permit for courses of six months or less if they will finish the course within the period of stay authorized upon entry, which is usually six months. Before June 28, 2002, students did not need a study permit for English and French as a second language courses of three months or less. Every foreign student must have a student authorization, but may also have been issued other types of permits or authorizations.

    Data have been collected on: field of study; academic level; race (in relation to immigration only--not education); type of institution attended; and degree/qualification/credential awarded.

    For further information or data on international students in Canada, visit:
    Statistics Canada


    * Outbound mobility data are based on UNESCO-UIS Global Education Digest 2008 Data (UNESCO, 2008) and reflect data for academic year ending 2006, unless noted otherwise.