International student fees to increase this fall

At its May 19 meeting, the Board of Governors approved an increase to international student differential rates for the 2015-2016 academic year.

The U of M increased the international graduate student differential fee multiplier from 2 to 2.2 (the equivalent of a 10 per cent increase); and effective fall term 2015, increases to the international undergraduate student differential fee surcharge will range from 10 to 18 per cent. The increases followed the provincial budget announcement and are in keeping with other universities across Canada.

Undergraduate international differential rate increases, by program, are:

• Faculties of Agricultural and Food Sciences (degree program), Social Work, College of Nursing: 10 per cent increase
• Faculties of Agricultural and Food Sciences (diploma program), Arts, Engineering, Human Ecology, Education, Architecture, Law, Kinesiology and Recreation Management, School of Art, Asper School of Business: 15 per cent increase
• Faculty of Science, Desaultels Faculty of Music, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources: 18 per cent increase

U of M’s strong supports for exceptional international student experience

In keeping with U of M’s strategic priority of exceptional student experience, the university is increasing support to areas that will ensure more opportunities for students to learn, thrive and grow. It is investing over $22 million into strategic priorities, such as increasing student financial support ($2.3 million) and support for student research initiatives ($1.3 million).

Susan Gottheil, vice-provost (students), says that increased revenue from the international differential surcharge will be allocated to supports for international students, including additional scholarships and bursaries for international graduate students. A portion of these fees will go to improving programs specific to international students, such as orientation, transition programs, summer bridge programs, cross-cultural counselling services, academic learning support for EAL students, and English language workshops.

“International students are greatly valued at the University of Manitoba for all they bring to the classroom and to the overall student experience,” says Gottheil. “More and more have been choosing the University of Manitoba for a number of reasons, including value and the quality of education, and we’re confident that they will continue to find U of M an attractive choice.”

The U of M offers strong supports for international students, ranging from academic and language aid to help with the personal, social and cultural aspects of being a university student in a foreign country. Besides the English Language Centre and the Academic Learning Centre and many other support initiatives within individual faculties and units — such as career services,  student residences, student life, student advocacy, accessibility services, financial aid and awards, student counselling centre and health and wellness — the International Centre for Students (ICS) also provides focused support and services for all U of M students, including international students.

All of these programs are designed to assist international students throughout their educational experience. They help students to achieve academic success and adapt to Canadian culture; they engage students in learning and leadership both inside and outside the classroom, while ensuring their experience is enjoyable, safe and successful.

At ICS, programs and services are offered throughout the year to help new international students transition effectively into their new community and thrive in an academic environment. Orientation and transition programs, specifically for new international students, are offered at the start of each term and international student advisors are available year-round to provide one-on-one guidance and information on U of M rules and policies, interacting with professors and classmates, banking and budgeting, Canadian laws and regulations relating to their conditions of study, and how they can work in Canada and under what conditions. ICS also helps students adjust to Canadian culture, deal with culture shock, personal matters, and more. Throughout the year, ICS offers mentorship programs, leadership opportunities, cultural and language exchange programs, and recreational events that provide all U of M students with opportunities to engage with different cultures, explore different ways of thinking, and develop intercultural skills and competencies so they can be engaged and effective members of culturally-diverse communities.

All U of M graduates who live, work and pay taxes in Manitoba after graduation are eligible for a 60 per cent tuition tax rebate of up to $25,000 CAD over six years; international students may be eligible for priority assessment when applying for a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa — the process that allows international students to stay in Manitoba after graduation to live and work.

International student fees at the University of Manitoba remain low in comparison with other universities in Canada, such as the U15 universities, as well as compared with other international choices such as the U.S., the U.K and Australia.

For more, see http://umanitoba.ca/student/admissions/international/