New Oversight for International Student Programs

Summary#

This bill creates a new system to approve and oversee colleges and universities in B.C. that teach international students. It replaces the old Education Quality Assurance (EQA) label with a stronger “designation” certificate and gives government new tools to set standards, inspect schools, and act on problems.

• Schools must hold a valid designation certificate to advertise to, enroll, or teach international students.
• To get or keep designation, schools must meet quality and student‑support standards and avoid harming B.C.’s reputation.
• An administrator can set rules, including minimum in‑class learning, what information schools must give students, and how partnerships work.
• Inspectors can visit during business hours without a warrant, review records, and observe classes.
• A public online directory will list designated and former designated schools and may include enforcement actions.
• The administrator can impose conditions, order fixes, cancel designation, and bar re‑application for up to 3 years; schools can appeal within 30 days.
• False or misleading advertising and high‑pressure sales are banned; providing false information is also banned.
• Existing EQA‑approved schools are automatically deemed designated until their current term ends.

What it means for you#

• International students

  • You should see clearer, more complete information about programs, costs, and services before you apply.
  • More classes may need to be taught in person if the administrator sets a minimum in‑class requirement.
  • If your school loses designation, it must notify you and can finish teaching current students, with rules to protect you.
  • A public directory will help you check if a school is designated and see if there were actions taken against it.

• Prospective international students and families

  • Advertising aimed at you must be truthful and not use high‑pressure tactics.
  • Only designated schools can market and enroll you for programs that meet the set minimum length.

• Domestic students (in mixed classes)

  • Some program delivery (such as in‑person vs. online) could change if schools adjust to meet designation rules.

• Public universities and colleges

  • You will need to apply for designation, follow ongoing rules, and may face inspections and reporting duties.
  • Partnerships with non‑designated partners must meet minimum portions taught by your institution.

• Private post‑secondary institutions

  • You cannot be a sole proprietorship or partnership if you want designation.
  • You must meet standards for student supports, safe learning, program quality, and honest recruitment (including use of education agents).
  • You may face added conditions, administrative fees, and possible publication of enforcement actions in a public directory.

• Education agents (recruiters)

  • Your work may be regulated by future regulations (for example, contracts, conduct, or reporting), and schools will be accountable for agents they use.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Protects students by setting clearer standards for quality, safety, and supports, and by cracking down on misleading marketing.
• Helps preserve B.C.’s reputation for international education by screening out poor‑quality operators and repeat violators.
• Increases transparency with a public directory and the option to publish enforcement actions so students can make informed choices.
• Gives government practical tools—rules, inspections, and fast court orders—to prevent harm before it happens.
• Smooth transition from EQA means current schools keep operating while moving to the new system.

Opponents' View#

• Gives broad discretion to officials (for example, to set conditions, cancel designation, or publish information), which some fear could be unpredictable or unfair.
• Inspection powers without a warrant during business hours may feel intrusive to institutions.
• New rules and fees could raise costs for schools, which could be passed on to students or lead some smaller private schools to close or reduce seats.
• Limits on program delivery (such as minimum in‑person learning or partnership rules) may reduce flexibility for students who prefer online or hybrid study.
• Appeals do not pause decisions, and courts must give more weight to enforcement when considering injunctions, which critics say tilts the process against institutions.