Want to Study in Prince Edward Island? Here's Everything International Students Need to Know

Prince Edward Island is known for its seafood, enchanting beaches, and its welcoming community – making it a great place for international students. Students from over 90 countries come to the province every year.

If you’re thinking about studying in Prince Edward Island, you’re in the right place. Here’s all the essential information you need on what it’s like as an international student in PEI.

What Makes the Province of PEI Interesting?

What is the Geography of PEI Like?

With a pastoral landscape known for its red soil and white sand, PEI is referred to as the “Garden of the Gulf”.

What is the Climate and Weather in Prince Edward Island Like?

Its proximity to the Gulf of St Lawrence means that PEI has mild weather that is rarely very hot or cold.

What are the Largest Cities in PEI?

Located in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq People, the biggest population centres in PEI are:

1. Charlottetown - The birthplace of the Canadian Confederation, Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island. It is home to Victorian-era architecture and a beautiful harbour and boardwalk.
   
   

   

2. Summerside - Known for its shipbuilding heritage, Summerside is a quaint and friendly city with lots of coastal charm.

3. Montague - Affectionately called “Montague the Beautiful”, because of the river that runs through it, this town is home to a gorgeous waterfront area.

The Top Colleges and Universities in Prince Edward Island for International Students

• University of PEI - Also referred to as UPEI, the University of Prince Edward Island’s ranking according to Maclean’s Top Universities of 2023* is:

• 41st for Best Overall

• 37th for Highest Quality

• 40th for Most Innovative

• 45th for Leaders of Tomorrow

Home to 1,600 international students from over 90 countries, UPEI has a friendly and tight-knit community and is the province’s only university. It is known for its programs in medicine, biology, liberal arts and social sciences.
*Maclean’s top university rankings are based on students, reputation, faculty, student support, and resources,

• Holland College - The provincial community college of PEI, Holland College has an international reputation for hands-on, skill-based learning and affordable tuition in comparison to other international schools. It also offers a co-op program for its students.
  

• Collège de l’Île - Of all the colleges in Prince Edward Island, this is the only French-language institution. Focused on skill development for the job market, it has a growing international student population, a majority from Latin American countries like Mexico and Peru, as well as students from Africa and Europe.

What is the Population of Prince Edward Island Like?

There are 154,300 people living in Prince Edward Island with 11,700 immigrants in the province. The total visible minority population is 14,300 and the largest minority groups in PEI are South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, and Arab. Visible minorities make up 12% of the population of Charlottetown, the province’s largest city.

Top 5 Things for International Students to Do on Prince Edward Island

If you’re a student looking for things to do on the weekend in PEI, check out these top sights:

1. Prince Edward Island National Park - Located on the north side of the island, PEI National Park offers beautiful beaches, saltwater marshes, Acadian forests and a 20 km path for cyclists and hikers.

2. Green Gables Heritage Place - PEI is nearly synonymous with L.M. Montgomery’s classic heroine, Anne of Green Gables. The Green Gables Heritage Place is a literary landmark that inspired the author to write those classic novels.
   
   

   

3. Cavendish Beach - Located on Green Gables shore, Cavendish Beach offers picturesque views of its famous red sandstone cliffs and holds close ties to L.M. Montgomery’s novels.

4. Confederation Bridge - Known as a Canadian engineering feat, Confederation Bridge is the longest bridge extending over ice-standing water in the world and is 12.9 km long.

5. Basin Head Provincial Park - Its nickname, “Singing Sands” comes from its geologically unique white sand that “sings” when stepped on because of its high silica content.

What is Prince Edward Island’s Job Market Like?

Prince Edward Island’s top industries are the services industry, the manufacturing industry, and agriculture and aquaculture. 41% of PEI’s immigrant population is made up of recent immigrants, which is due to the province’s recent efforts to make up for labour shortages.

Here’s what you need to know as an international student about PEI jobs and the labour market.

What are the Cities in Prince Edward Island With the Most Jobs?

1. Charlottetown - As the province’s most populous city, Charlottetown has job opportunities in administration, education, healthcare, financial services, IT, tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. It also has growing employment in strategic industries such as aerospace, bioscience, and renewable energy.

2. Summerside - The job openings available in Summerside are predominantly in administration, finance, transportation, and the aerospace sector.

Source: https://arrivein.com/career-ca/most-in-demand-jobs-in-prince-edward-island-pei-for-newcomers/

What are the Industries in Prince Edward Island with the Highest Job Openings?

1. Service Sector - University professors, social workers, and sales executives.

2. Manufacturing - Chemical technicians, long-haul truck drivers, and welders and mechanics.

3. Healthcare - Specialists physicians, General practitioners, and family physicians; Registered nurses and licensed nursing assistants; and home support workers

4. Agriculture - General farm workers, fruit pickers, and fish and seafood plant workers.

Source: https://arrivein.com/career-ca/most-in-demand-jobs-in-prince-edward-island-pei-for-newcomers/

How Do I Apply for Permanent Residency After Studying in Prince Edward Island?

From 2015-2022, an average of 2,100 people became permanent residents in Prince Edward Island, with 2,500 people gaining permanent residency in 2022.

The two available Prince Edward Island Immigration programs include both the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (for Atlantic provinces looking to fill labour shortages with foreign workers) and the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

There are six streams in the Prince Edward Island PNP program:

1. Express Entry - To be eligible for a nomination, applicants must have a Federal Express Entry Profile and fulfill the requirements for either the:

• Federal Skilled Worker program

• Federal Skilled Trades program

• Canadian Experience Class

This program prioritizes applicants who currently work with a Prince Edward Island employer who supports their immigration.

1. Skilled Workers - For applicants who have sought after skills by PEI employers and currently live and work in the province with a valid work permit. Workers who live outside of PEI are eligible for the Skilled Workers Outside of Canada stream.

2. Skilled Workers Outside of Canada - Open for workers who live outside of Canada but have been issued an offer of employment by a PEI business. This offer of employment must be approved by the Office of Immigration.

3. Occupations in Demand - This stream is specifically for occupations in high demand that cannot be filled by the local job market.

4. Critical Workers - For critical, intermediate-skilled positions that cannot be filled by the local job market.

5. Work Permit Stream - For applicants who are interested in investing in and running a PEI business and have previous business ownership or management experience.

What is the ‘Study and Stay PEI’ Program?

For international students in their final year of study, Study and Stay PEI is a free program aimed to support a professional pathway into living, working, and staying in the province. During the program, participants are expected to dedicate 2 hours a week to activities. Students from these PEI post-secondary institutions can apply:

• University of Prince Edward Island

• Holland College

• Collège de I’île

The program covers the following areas:

• Cultural and Social Adaptation

• Professional Communications and Networking Skills

• Career and Labour Market Support

• Access to immigration Resources & Support

• Mentorship Opportunities

How to Protect Yourself from Immigration Fraud in PEI

When it comes to protecting yourself from immigration fraud, your first line of defence is educating yourself! Your post-secondary school’s international student centre will often have free resources like workshops you can access to stay informed and aware.

Last but not least, always remember to pause and not panic. Don’t act on any demands that are urgent or involve requests for money, and don’t share any personal information. Instead, contact Immigration Services to get more information on its legitimacy.

Studying in Prince Edward Island as an International Student

With a warm atmosphere and a growing international student population, Prince Edward Island is a popular destination for students from around the world. We hope this guide has left you with a better idea of whether you should study in Prince Edward Island.

Still have questions? Whether it’s your application or choosing the right program, IDP Canada’s counsellors are here to help, offering free consultations for anything related to being an international student. Book a chat here.

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