Why Should International Students Choose to Study in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Want to study in Newfoundland? Known for its beautiful landscape and warm community, Newfoundland and Labrador is a growing community that attracts international students from around the world.

In this blog post, we cover what it’s like to study in the province, including information about the top universities and colleges in Newfoundland, job prospects, and how international students can move towards permanent residency.

What is Living in Newfoundland and Labrador Like?

Geography

Affectionately called 'The Rock', Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its generally hilly and rugged terrain, sweeping coasts, boreal forests, cliffs, and rock formations.

Weather and Climate

With a humid continental climate, Newfoundland and Labrador has mild to cool summers that are typically shorter, and snowy, cold winters.

What are The Largest Cities in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The biggest cities in Newfoundland are:

• St. John's - The capital of the province, St. John’s stands on the ancestral unceded homelands of the Beothuk. Known for its colourful houses (most prominent is its renowned Jellybean Row), St. John’s is also the location of Signal Hill, which overlooks the city and is known for its hiking.

• Corner Brook - Sitting on the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Corner Brook is known for its proximity to some of the most beautiful natural sights in the province, such as the Gros Morne and Blow Me Down National Parks.

• Grand Falls-Windsor - Located in the central part of Newfoundland and Labrador, this city is known for its annual Exploits Valley Salmon Festival.

What are the Top Schools in Newfoundland and Labrador for International Students?

The top colleges and universities in Newfoundland and Labrador for international students are:

• Memorial University of Newfoundland - Memorial University, also known as MUN University, appears in Maclean’s Top Universities of 2023 with the following rankings:

• 24th for Best Overall

• 23rd for Highest Quality

• 24th for Most Innovative

• 26th for Leaders of Tomorrow

Maclean’s university rankings are based on students, reputation, faculty, student support, and resources. Memorial University has campuses in St. John’s, Cornerbrook, and Harlow and is known for its Maritime Studies, Music and Business Administration, and Criminology programs. Its warm culture and low tuition attracts students from over 120 countries across the world.

• College of the North Atlantic - As Atlantic Canada’s largest post-secondary education and skills training centre, College of the North Atlantic is known for its low tuition fees, quality education, supportive and safe environment, its certificates’ and diplomas’ acceptability and transferability.
  

• Fisheries and Marine Institute - A polytechnic affiliated with Memorial University, the Fisheries and Marine Institute is Canada’s most comprehensive educational institution for marine and ocean industries.

Demographics

There are 510,500 people who reside in Newfoundland and Labrador and 14,200 immigrants in the province. There are 16,800 visible minorities, with the largest minority groups being South Asian, Chinese, Black, and Filipino. 3,500 Indigenous people reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland and Labrador currently have 3,700 international students, which can be attributed to the province offering tuition that’s among the lowest in Canada.

What Can International Students Do on Weekends in Newfoundland?

Newfoundland has many sights worth checking out while you study including:

1. Gros Morne National Park - A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gros Morne is home to stunning fjords and mountain regions and showcases rare samples of exposed deep ocean crust and the earth’s mantle.
   
   

   

2. Signal Hill - A historic Canadian site for telecommunications, Signal Hill also offers an expansive view of the city of St. John’s and the surrounding ocean. It’s also a prime location for hiking.

3. Cape Spear Lighthouse - A significant part of the province’s marine history, Cape Spear marks Canada’s most easterly point and is Newfoundland and Labrador’s oldest standing lighthouse.

4. The Rooms - Known as Newfoundland’s largest cultural space, The Rooms not only houses art, artifacts, and archives but is also a significant gathering place for the province.

5. L'Anse aux Meadows - A unique archeological site that is the first known and only authenticated Viking settlement in North America and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What is the Job Market and Local Economy in Newfoundland and Labrador Like?

The three major industries in Newfoundland and Labrador are offshore oil and gas, mining, forestry, and fishing. Newfoundland and Labrador have the largest ageing population in Canada. Combined with the large number of its younger population moving out of the province, Newfoundland and Labrador has recently placed an emphasis on increasing its immigration numbers to fill labour gaps and shortages.

Here is Newfoundland and Labrador’s labour market outlook up to 2025.

Cities With the Most Job Opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador

1. St. John’s - The capital city’s primary industries are offshore oil and gas reserves and the energy industry. It also has a significant retail, financial services, and business services sector.

2. Conception Bay South - The predominant industries in this city are agriculture and tourism.

Source: https://arrivein.com/career-ca/most-in-demand-jobs-in-newfoundland-and-labrador-nl-for-newcomers/

Top 5 Industries with the Largest Increase in Employment

1. Health care and social assistance

2. Mining and oil and gas extraction

3. Arts, entertainment and recreation/accommodations and food services

4. Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing

5. Wholesale and retail trade

Source: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ipgs/files/publications-pdf-labour-market-outlook2025.pdf

Top 5 Occupational Categories in With the Highest Job Openings

Until 2025, 80% of the job openings in the province will be for:

1. Sales and service

2. Business, finance and administration

3. Management

4. Health

5. Occupations unique to a primary industry:

• Contractors, Operators and Supervisors in Agriculture, Horticulture, and Aquaculture

• Agriculture and Horticulture Workers

• Supervisors in Mining, Oil and Gas

• Underground Miners, Oil and Gas Drillers and Related Workers

• Fishing Vessel Masters and Skippers and Fishermen/women

• Primary Production Labourers

Top Skill and Education Levels Sought by Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador

57% of the job openings in Newfoundland and Labrador will be management occupations requiring post-secondary education. A large number of job openings will require secondary school education and on-the-job training.

How can International Students Gain Permanent Residency in Newfoundland and Labrador?

From 2015-2022, 1,600 people gained permanent residency in Newfoundland and Labrador, with 3,200 people receiving permanent residency in 2022.

The Newfoundland and Labrador PNP (Provincial Nominee Program), offers six streams:

• International Students Not Working in Field of Study (New Program) - For international students that have a full-time, indeterminate position related to their field of study, or a position that is proportional to their skills, experience and/or training.

• International Graduate - For recent graduates that have a Post-Graduate Work Permit and a job, or a job offer, from a provincial employer.

• International Graduate Entrepreneur - For international post-secondary graduates of a Newfoundland institution who want to start, own, or manage a business in the province.

• International Entrepreneur - For individuals who want to begin, manage, or buy a business in the province. To be considered, businesses must have operated for a year in the province through a Temporary Work Permit.

• Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker- For individuals with an Express Entry profile who have received a job offer from a Newfoundland employer.

• Skilled Worker - For individuals with skills sought by the province and have a job offer from a Newfoundland employer.

Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Fraud

While it is considered one of the safest provinces in Canada, immigration fraud is a risk no matter where you choose to study. Your first line of defence is educating yourself! Be sure to check your post-secondary school’s international student centre for resources such as free workshops. If you’re approached with urgency or demands for money, pause and contact Immigration Services before acting.

Studying in Newfoundland and Labrador as an International Student

We hope this guide has helped you decide if Newfoundland and Labrador is where you would like to study as an international student.

Finding the right school to study in as an international student is no easy task! IDP Education offers free consultations with their education counsellors. They can answer your questions on choosing the right program or how to perfect your application, to name a few. If you have questions you would like answered, book a chat here.

For more tips and information about international student life in Canada, follow IDP Education Canada on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.