Canadian schools reopen admissions to attract US graduates amid political upheaval

The move coincides with increased American student interest in studying in the U.K. and a rise in academics exploring international opportunities.

At Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics in Waterloo, Ontario, the admissions process for graduate programs was recently reopened "specifically for students studying in the U.S." who are interested in beginning or continuing their studies in September 2025.

Applicants currently enrolled in U.S. PhD programs who wish to transfer may be considered for advanced standing, allowing recognition of previous coursework and possibly avoiding starting over entirely, the school announced on its website, along with accelerated admissions decisions.

Kyle Murray, the school's dean, told Times Higher Education (THE) that recent disruptions in the U.S., such as students being forced to abandon their studies, created an opportunity for Canadian institutions to attract graduate candidates who might otherwise choose American programs.

"We are more than happy to welcome these outstanding students to our programs. Having strong graduate students is critically important to our research mission and we are willing to invest in that opportunity," he said.

Similarly, the University of British Columbia also announced on its website the reopening of certain graduate programs in April exclusively for U.S. applicants, extending the initial one-week application period due to unexpectedly high demand.

Meric Gertler, outgoing president of the University of Toronto, noted a 23% increase in applications from U.S. students, describing it as one of the "silver linings" of the Trump presidency, THE reported.

The university recently recruited three faculty members from Yale University, citing the current political atmosphere.

While not all Canadian universities have the resources to heavily target U.S. recruitment, Murray emphasized that Lazaridis is acting swiftly to capitalize on this opportunity and expand both its student body and faculty.

The Trump administration's policies have significantly affected students and institutions, particularly in international education and institutional funding.

Data from Inside Higher Ed shows at least 280 U.S. colleges and universities reporting that the legal status of more than 1,800 international students and recent graduates had been altered by the State Department as of late April.

According to AP reports, student visas were frequently revoked without clear justification, prompting widespread anxiety and legal challenges. These actions disrupted academic pursuits and raised concerns regarding due process and the reputation of the U.S. as a welcoming destination for international scholars.

Additionally, the administration targeted universities for substantial federal funding cuts, especially institutions perceived as not aligned with its political agenda. Harvard and Columbia, among others, faced significant financial penalties and demands for policy changes related to admissions and campus activism. These measures sparked debates about academic freedom and the federal government's role in higher education.

Canada's recently elected Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed intentions to welcome researchers impacted by U.S. funding cuts.

Marc Johnson, professor of biology at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, told THE that most universities view the election result as one that "maximizes predictability and stability in the funding landscape in the near-term."

Facing a trade war, Carney's minority government is unlikely to launch major new funding initiatives immediately. However, Johnson noted, Carney can lay the groundwork to transform Canada into an innovation powerhouse by investing strategically in research and training.

Sarah Laframboise, executive director of Evidence for Democracy, a science policy non-profit, welcomed the Liberals' commitment to increase targeted, mission-driven research funding and their pledge to establish the Canadian Sovereignty and Resilience Research Fund to attract researchers affected by changes in U.S. policy.

"This election provides an opportunity to rebuild Canada's leadership in science and research," she stated. "The commitments made by the Liberal Party must now be met with urgent, concrete action."

Universities Canada, representing Canadian universities, stated that recent policy decisions have eroded trust in the sector and called for the new government to present a bold plan to win the race for global talent, address pressing campus infrastructure needs, and reaffirm its commitment to domestically driven research and innovation.

"Canada's universities are all in, ready to roll up our sleeves to help unleash the country's full potential," it said in a statement last month.