International and Refugee University Students in Canada: Trends, Barriers, and the Future

This conceptual paper draws on a diverse selection of primary and secondary sources highlighting recent trends in international and refugee university student enrollments, participation, and outcomes in Canadian universities. Several key issues emerged through the analysis. First, refugee students and children of refugees have amongst the lowest participation and graduation rates in Canadian universities, due largely to language and literacy barriers and their status as first-generation postsecondary students (i.e., students whose parents did not attend postsecondary education). Second, although almost 60% of domestic university students are now female, international and refugee student enrollments remain male dominated. These disparities indicate that broader structural and sociocultural issues that impact university participation for members of certain groups and communities remain factors in university participation and completion. Implications for policy and practice conclude the paper.