BC Elevates Protection for International Students

Key Takeaways:

• On July 15th, 2024, BC announced phase 2 of the International Education Framework which builds upon phase 1 introduced in January 2024.
• The province is introducing new protections for international students, aiming to set higher standards and more rigorous requirements for institutes to admit international students.
• Changes include requiring institutions to deliver at least 50% of the program in-person to international students; having staff to support international students; and compliance with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reporting.
• Public institutions are limited in the number of international students they can enroll.

Why Are Safeguards These Needed?

With the horror stories we have heard over the last year, it is no surprise that provinces are taking additional measures to safeguard international students within their borders. This is true for the province of BC, which has spearheaded initiatives to protect international students. Among their most recent is phase 2 of the International Education Framework, aimed at setting higher standards and more rigorous requirements for institutions enrolling international students.

We welcome international students to B.C. and we want them to have a great experience when they arrive here, anchored by quality education and supports that are meaningful, relevant and will set them up for further success.

Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

What Are The Safeguards?

Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation

Phase 2 of the International Education Framework updates the Province’s Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which all post-secondary institutions must hold to enroll international students. These updates include:

• Requiring institutions deliver at least 50% of the program in-person to international students;
• Having appropriate locations controlled by the institution;
• Having staff to support international students; and
• Ensuring compliance with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reporting.

Education Quality Assurance (EQA) Code of Practice

In addition to the updates to the designation, a new Education Quality Assurance (EQA) code of practice is being introduced to place a higher standard of protection and support services on institutes looking to admit international students.

New strengthened standards include:

• Clear and accurate marketing and promotional information;
• Accountability for education agents;
• Tuition transparency; and
• Better information about student supports, including academic and housing support, well-being and health.

The new code of practice also places different requirements on public institutions, private degree-granting institutions and private training institutions.

Guidelines for public institutions include: 

• Limiting international enrolment to 30% of an institution’s total enrolment;
• Providing tuition-fee transparency to prevent unexpected international student fee increases; and
• Requiring the development of new international education strategic plans, improved student services, housing supports, and standards to ensure Indigenous and domestic students are not displaced.

Guidelines for private degree-granting institutions include: 

• Labour market alignment for degree programs;
• Requirements that institutions manage enrolment in a manner appropriate for their infrastructure, student resources and services;
• Increased fees for existing application fees and fees for the conduct of review; and
• An additional annual fee for private and out-of-province degree-granting institutions.

Guidelines for private training institutions institutions include:

• Requiring greater program content standards;
• Improving protections for students at private training institutions, including:
  • more generous refund policies;
  • shorter maximum terms on contracts; and
  • banning high-pressure sales.
• Increased fees for institutions regulated under the PTA will help expand the Province’s capacity to regulate and enforce higher standards; and
• Prohibiting high-pressure sales and recruitment tactics.

What These Changes Mean for Future International Students.

Any change that focuses on improving the quality of education and future prospects of international students should be welcomed by the community. These changes should also be used by international students as a means to filter against possible schools to apply to. For instance, all BC post-secondary schools need to have staff to support international students. This is deemed crucial to their integration therefore when applying to schools, enquire as to what their support system is like. Likewise, make sure that at least 50% of classes are in person.

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