Canada Jumps to Second Place for Top Study Destination, with Institutions like York University Setting the Pace 

Canada has reclaimed its status as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for international students, edging ahead of the US and the UK for Fall 2025.

According to ApplyBoard’s latest Recruitment Partner Pulse Survey, conducted with nearly 400 recruitment professionals around the world, Canada ranks second, just behind the United Kingdom and well ahead of Australia and the U.S. 

The report attributes Canada’s renewed appeal to several factors: affordability, safety, and a perception that Canadian institutions remain among the most welcoming and inclusive in the world. Eighty-four per cent of respondents described Canada as a “safe and welcoming” destination for international students — far outpacing the United States, where only half of respondents agreed with that statement. Respondents’ perception of Canada improved by five percentage points versus the Spring 2025 survey.

But behind those perceptions lie the kinds of programs and priorities that have come to define many Canadian universities — institutions that blend academic ambition with social responsibility. York University in Toronto, for example, is in many ways a model of what draws students to Canada: globally oriented programs, strong support for equity and inclusion, and a visible commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

Universities Reflecting Global and Progressive Values

At York University, programs like Global Health, Sustainable Business, Human Rights & Equity Studies, and Work & Labour Studies have paid off in attracting international students with their emphasis on international collaboration and social change. It’s the kind of environment that resonates with students who see education as a platform for impact.

York University’s multi-campus model also mirrors the kind of flexibility and innovation international students increasingly seek. The university’s Markham Campus, which opened in 2024, focuses on digital technologies and work-integrated learning. The various campuses and disciplines illustrate the direction of Canadian higher education: outward-looking, community-connected, and purpose-driven.

The approach appears to be working. In the annual Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, York University has placed in the top 40 globally in five out of the last six years. The institution ranks #1 in Canada for Quality Education and #2 for Gender Equality, Reduced Inequities, and Responsible Consumption. These achievements reflect a nationwide focus on increasing opportunities for high-level learning.

York University has many of the traits that ApplyBoard’s survey found most attractive to students: openness, safety, and a focus on values-based education. The survey’s data suggests that Canada’s moral and educational positioning is just as important as any other factor in choosing a place to study. 

“Students and their families are looking for destinations that align with their values,” the ApplyBoard report noted. “They want countries and institutions that are progressive, globally connected, and genuinely welcoming.”

Canadian universities’ strong focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), interdisciplinary research, and global partnerships appears to be paying off. Institutions like York University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Waterloo have been recognized internationally for integrating sustainability, diversity, and ethics into their academic frameworks, positioning Canada as a country where education is both ambitious and humane.

The data from Fall 2025 suggests that the country’s reputation for openness and progressive education remains resilient. Its place as the second most popular destination in the world for international students shows that an institutional culture that welcomes difference, encourages critical thinking, and connects learning to global change has become Canada’s most powerful recruitment strategy.

As ApplyBoard’s survey shows, international students want to study in a place that reflects their values. In that choice, Canada continues to lead the way.