Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) announced Wednesday that it has closed applications from all international students enrolled in 2018 due to capacity.
“The continued and sustained growth in demand necessitates a review of the university’s capacity to enrol international students,” said a KPU statement.
“Consequently, the university has decided to close applications, effective immediately, from all prospective international students, for both the Summer and Fall 2018 semesters.”
KPU has experienced tremendous growth in applications from international students in the last year. As a result, its international enrolment has grown 41 per cent since last fall, according to the university.
Meanwhile, international student applications for the summer semester in 2018 have doubled compared to last year.
"We never had these many applicants from international before," said Tatiana Tomljanovic, media specialist of KPU, to the Richmond News.
“As of Jan. 24, we received 2,519 international applications for the summer semester, compared to 1,209 international applications for the 2017 summer semester.”
The university hopes closing international applications now will allow it to deal with the backlog of applications already submitted.
Tomljanovic said at this time, they don’t know when they will reopen international applications.
She added the school doesn't have a ratio, in terms of international compared to domestic students it accepts every year.
Permanent residents and landed immigrants are not affected by this decision, as they are considered domestic students by the university.
“KPU is committed to creating a positive experience for all our students. We value our international and domestic students,” said the statement.
“The university looks forward to collaborating with all of its international partners to promote a global and diverse experience for its students.”
Regular final application deadline is April 1 for the summer semester and Aug. 1 for the fall semester.
