Canada Student Education News

Rankings name the world's most sustainable universities

The University of Toronto leads the QS Sustainability University Rankings for the second year in a row. The Canadian institution is rated best in the world across the areas of environmental impact, social impact and governance. Switzerland's ETH Zurich takes second position, while Sweden's Lund University and the USA's University of California, Berkeley share third.

For another perspective on the most sustainable universities, read our guide to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

International students in Canada can now work for longer

Full-time international students in Canada can now work off campus for up to 24 hours per week during term time. The government has increased the limit from 20 hours per week, a move that it says is "striking the right balance between providing work opportunities and helping students stay focused on their education". Students can still work full-time on campus, and during holidays.

Changes have also been made to other parts of international education in the country. From now on, international students who wish to transfer between institutions must be approved for a new study permit. Meanwhile, institutions that do not verify acceptance letters may be suspended from admitting international students for up to a year.

Learn all about international student work rights in Canada.

Canada closes the Student Direct Stream

Canada has closed the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) routes to applying for a study permit. The pathways offered a fast track to applicants who met certain requirements from 15 countries, including India, Pakistan and the Philippines. All study permit applications made from November 8 at 14:00 (Canadian Eastern Time) will be processed via the standard route.

The country's government says that the closures are part of its goal "to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access to the application process".

Find out how to apply for a study permit in Canada following the change.

More international students are considering multiple destinations

Two thirds (66 per cent) of people planning to study abroad are looking at more than one country, according to IDP’s latest Emerging Futures report. This is up from 61 per cent last year, and 56 per cent in the year before. Further, 49 per cent are now considering three or more destinations, and 16 per cent are thinking about at least five.

Research finds the most popular countries for international students

Australia is the preferred destination of more international students than any other, according to IDP’s latest Emerging Futures report.

Almost one in four (24 per cent) of surveyed students chose the country, down one percentage point from last year. The USA was second most popular, rising four points to 23 per cent.

By contrast, Canada drops nine points to 16 per cent. This places it fourth behind the UK (21 per cent).

New Zealand is fifth (5 per cent), while all other destinations were named by a combined 11 per cent of students. This is up six points on last year.

The Emerging Futures report is based on a survey of more than 6,000 students from 114 countries. This is its sixth edition, with research conducted in August and September this year.

International student wins continental snooker championship

Sahil Nayyar, an international graduate in Canada, has won this year's Pan American Open Snooker Championship. The Indian player, who earned postgraduate certificates in global business management and global hospitality management from Conestoga College, defeated Brazilian Fabio Anderson Luersen 5-1 in this weekend's final. The victory gives him a place on the professional World Snooker Tour from next year.