New report shows international student boom at UPEI

Prince Edward Island’s university student population has grown considerably more diverse, thanks to an increasing number of international students.

International student enrolment in the Maritimes has increased by 15 per cent since 2010-2011, according to a report from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.

International students are the primary source of overall enrolment growth in Maritime universities but especially in P.E.I.

The number of international students enrolled at the University of PEI has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

Overall, there has been a 119 per cent increase in international student enrolment in the Maritimes. New Brunswick had the lowest change during the 10 years with a 56 per cent increase.

In graduate programs, however, New Brunswick takes the lead with a 117 per cent change over the last decade, but P.E.I. is not far behind with 111 per cent.

The top five countries of origin for international students in PEI are China, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Japan. For the Maritimes as a whole, they are China, Saudi Arabia, the U.S.A., India and Bermuda.