CANADA, July 15 - Phase 2 of the International Education Framework will raise education quality and integrity standards and strengthen protections at post-secondary institutions enrolling international students.

Changes to the Province’s Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which all post-secondary institutions must hold to enrol international students, include:

• requiring institutions deliver at least 50% of the program in person to international students;
• having appropriate locations controlled by the institution;
• having staff to support international students; and
• ensuring compliance with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reporting.

The new EQA code of practice that EQA-designated institutions must agree to improves protections for students by requiring clear and accurate marketing and promotional information, accountability for education agents, tuition transparency, housing assistance, academic supports, and student health and safety.

Not abiding by the code of practice could result in an institution losing its EQA designation and no longer being able to accept international students.

Private degree-granting institutions will see changes, including:

• labour market alignment for degree programs;
• requirements that institutions manage enrolment in a manner appropriate for their infrastructure, student resources and services;
• increased fees for existing application fees and fees for the conduct of review; and
• an additional annual fee for private and out-of-province degree-granting institutions.

New measures for private training institutions will set a higher bar to be designated under the Private Training Act (PTA), including:

• requiring greater program content standards;
• improving protections for students at private training institutions, including:
  • more generous refund policies;
  • shorter maximum terms on contracts; and
  • banning high-pressure sales.
• increased fees for institutions regulated under the PTA will help expand the Province’s capacity to regulate and enforce higher standards; and
• prohibiting high-pressure sales and recruitment tactics.