Welcome to this week’s edition of Student Direct’s The International Ed Brief, your trusted source for international education news. Each week, we analyze the latest developments impacting student decisions, shaping institutional strategies, and driving shifts in global mobility—both in Canada and around the world.
Updates from Canada
Polytechnic solutions for labour-market demand:
Polytechnics Canada released “Skilled & Ready: Polytechnic Solutions for Canada’s Labour-Market Demand,”. With skills shortages top of mind, this paper shows how Canadian polytechnics can partner with industry to deliver job-ready grads. https://polytechnicscanada.ca/resources/policy-papers-submissions/skilled-ready-polytechnic-solutions-for-canadas-labour-market-demand/
Express Entry’s new “Education” draw:
On May 1, IRCC held its first category-based draw under the Education stream, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (CRS cutoff 479). It shows a shift toward credential-linked immigration. https://www.cicnews.com/2025/05/canada-invites-more-express-entry-candidates-in-first-draw-after-national-election-0554703.html#gs.lzo6lg
Work-permit backlogs sideline some migrants
Rising delays at IRCC mean some migrants—including international students – lose their legal right to work while waiting months for renewals. Faster processing remains critical to keep students and workers on track. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/some-migrants-canada-lose-work-status-while-applications-languish-2025-04-21/
A smarter path for postsecondary reform
RBC’s “A Smarter Path: The Case for Postsecondary Education Reform” argues for tighter links between programs and labour-market needs, streamlined credential recognition, and tailored funding models. https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/a-smarter-path-the-case-for-postsecondary-education-reform/
From Around the Globe
Global student priorities: IDP Emerging Futures 7:
IDP’s April 2025 “Emerging Futures 7: Voice of the International Student” survey of over 6,000 students finds career development (67 %) and graduate employment rate as top motivators for studying abroad. Cost and visa challenges top their concerns, and Canada’s first-choice share slipped to 13%. https://partners.idp.com/emergingfutures
Australia signals student-visa fee increase:
Australia’s Labour Party has proposed hikes to student-visa application fees, aiming to recoup increased processing costs—potentially adding AUD 200 to each application if passed. https://monitor.icef.com/2025/04/australias-labour-party-signals-an-increase-in-student-visa-fees/
Cost now drives three-quarters of study decisions:
A global survey of 3,500 students finds that financial considerations determine nearly 75 % of where and what they choose to study abroad, with those from Africa and South Asia most sensitive to tuition and living costs. https://thepienews.com/affordability-determining-three-quarters-of-global-study-decisions/
Digital Marketing Insight of the Week
Prompt engineering for smarter marketing
Many of us are using AI models to help in our day to day work. But do you know that tailoring your AI prompts can make all the difference. As ICEF Monitor explains, crafting precise, context-rich prompts for tools like ChatGPT lets you generate on-brand copy, data summaries, and targeted ad text with far less trial and error-so your team spends less time tweaking outputs and more time engaging prospects.https://monitor.icef.com/2024/04/chatgpt-for-international-education-marketing-what-is-prompt-engineering/
Stay tuned for next week’s edition as we unpack more changes and exciting updates from across the world.
