For Immediate Release
January 31st, 2024. VANCOUVER, BC – The Alma Mater Society (AMS) of the University of British Columbia, representing over 61,000 students, applauds the Provincial Government for the recent measures taken to enhance the quality of post-secondary education for international students in British Columbia. The Province’s commitment to reducing exploitative practices and safeguarding the well-being of international students aligns with the AMS’s dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all students at UBC.
In the academic year 2022/2023, the average tuition fees for international undergraduate students in Canada saw an alarming 8.0% increase from the previous year, reaching $36,123. This nearly doubled the percentage of increase that occurred between 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Recognizing the challenges faced by some international students due to exploitative practices, the Province’s new regulations provide a crucial framework to ensure that educational institutions uphold the highest standards of education, support, and transparency.
Key changes outlined by the Provincial Government include a pause on approvals for new post-secondary institutions enrolling international students until February 2026, enhanced compliance and enforcement through more frequent inspections, higher standards for private degree programs, new language requirements for private institutions, and tuition transparency for public post-secondary institutions.
One standout element in the announcement is the commitment to tuition transparency for public post-secondary institutions. The requirement for these institutions to post tuition levels for the entire duration of a student’s program aligns with the AMS’s advocacy for transparent pricing, enabling students to make informed decisions about their education. This ensures that students have a clear understanding of the financial commitment associated with their education, allowing them to plan and budget effectively.
To continue advocating for affordability, housing, transit accessibility and international student support, the AMS will head to Victoria for the Budget Lockdown, intensifying lobbying efforts throughout February and March. For more information on this recent announcement and how your AMS External Affairs office is advocating for you at the provincial level, feel free to contact Joshua Kim at vpexternal@ams.ubc.ca or Erin Strachan and Bandhul Vikas Khanna at avpexternal@ams.ubc.ca.
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