Selkirk College is seeing encouraging trends in domestic student growth while navigating the changes imposed by a decline in international student numbers.
Domestic Enrolment Trending Up
For the 2025/26 academic year, domestic applications increased by approximately 8%, resulting in around 170 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) domestic students compared to 2024/25. This translates to a projected domestic growth rate of roughly 2%.
“We’re encouraged by the growth in domestic enrolment,” says Brier Albano, associate vice-president, student success. “Students across our region are recognizing that our programs and transfer pathways lead to the kinds of careers they want. They don’t have to leave. They can get high‑quality, affordable education without the costs and pressures of big‑city life.”
International Enrolment in Decline
In 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reduced the number of international students that post-secondary institutions can admit. Last year, IRCC again reduced permit numbers and introduced new restrictions on post-graduate work permit (PGWP) applications.
As a result, far fewer international students are applying to study at Canadian colleges, including Selkirk College. This has led to an unprecedented and sudden drop in tuition revenues, as well as a loss in the vibrancy and cross-cultural connections that international students bring to the classroom and the community.
Selkirk College enrolled about 190 new international FTEs in 2025/26, representing a decline of approximately 32% from last year. Programs in areas focused on regional and community need, such as hospitality and business, are among those most impacted by the changes, as these are no longer eligible for PGWPs. The college has not cancelled programs at this point but has suspended some intakes.
Meeting the Challenge
In response to the shifting post-secondary landscape, the college is taking proactive measures guided by its strategic plan, Land, Learning & Legacy: Our Path to 2040.
It’s also implementing targeted efficiency strategies, including thoughtful adjustments to spending, hiring and space utilization, while minimizing negative impacts on students.
“People know if they choose Selkirk College, they’ve chosen well,” continues Albano. “Over 90% of our students told us in last year’s engagement survey that they would choose us again if they were starting over.”
Media and External Relations
Please contact Director of Communications & Public Engagement Maggie Keczan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many international students are enrolled this fall compared to last fall?
Fall numbers show a drop of about 190 full-time equivalent students in 2025/26 compared to 2024/25.
What is the total number of students enrolled this fall compared to last fall?
While our international numbers declined, our domestic numbers grew. Applications rose by 8%, yielding about 170 more full-time domestic students. That’s led to a 2% increase in domestic students for the academic year to date.
Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs): Fall Early Count Comparison (As of October 1, 2025)
Note: These will change monthly with intakes for different programs happening throughout the year, including trades intakes and winter admissions.
| Year | Total | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | 1,771 | 1,346 | 425 |
| 2024/25 | 1,790 | 1,175 | 615 |
Which programs saw less enrolment as a result of changes to federal immigration policy?
Many of Selkirk College’s programs align directly with regional and community needs. These do not align with national labour market needs, which the federal government has prioritized. As a result, postgraduate programming in areas such as Business Administration and Hospitality and Tourism were hit the hardest. We continue to encourage the federal government to review these policies with a rural-informed lens, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Has low enrolment had an impact on tuition and fees?
Since 2006, all BC post-secondary institutions have been able to raise tuition by a maximum of 2% annually. This has not kept up with inflation or rising costs of delivery. Over the past few years, we’ve noticed that students have taken a strong advocacy position not for lower tuition, but for better funding of the system by the provincial government.
Selkirk College is proud to work with a group of dedicated students who, together with the BC Federation of Students, advocate on our behalf to help us continue delivering distinctive, high quality educational experiences.
How is the college working to prevent program cuts?
The college is exploring all avenues to not only reduce costs but also increase revenue.
What trends are you seeing in domestic enrolment?
Domestic enrolment is beginning to rise again. Factors driving this trend include the relatively high youth unemployment rate, a growing understanding that starting post-secondary education in college increases graduate outcomes and an interest in retraining to adapt to advancing technology.