List of suspended programs by school
On Feb. 24, 2025, the Board of Governors approved the following programs to not accept new learners for the Fall 2025 Term and beyond. Currently enrolled students and students admitted to their program for Spring 2025 will be able to complete their studies, provided they meet all the necessary academic requirements.
Some programs may have adjusted intake schedules or limited delivery formats. Learners who have applied to these programs will be contacted with additional details concerning next steps.
Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE)
- Building Information Modelling – Lifecycle Management
- Building Information Modelling – Lifecycle Management Canadian Context
- Energy Management
Algonquin College Online (ACOL)
School of Advanced Technology (ATEC)
- Bachelor of Technology (Digital Health) (Honours)
- Digital Health
- General Arts and Science – Aviation Management
- Regulatory Affairs – Sciences
- Technical Writer
Faculty of Creative Arts and Media (FCAM)
- Brand Management
- Brand Management (two-year)
- Broadcasting – Radio and Podcasting
- Creative Industries Management
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design
- Interior Decorating
- Performing Arts
- Photography – Content Creation
- Professional Writing
- Scriptwriting
- Teachers of English as a Second/Foreign Language
- Visual Development for Entertainment
Pembroke Campus (PEMB)
- Outdoor Adventure Naturalist
- Police Foundations
- Regulatory Affairs – Sciences
- Water and Wastewater Technician
School of Business and Hospitality (SOBH)
- Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Honours)
- Business Administration – Human Resources
- Business Administration – International Business
- Business Administration – Marketing
- Financial Services Canadian Context
- Human Resources Management
- International Business Management
- Marketing Management
- Marketing Research and Analysis
- Office Administration – Executive
- Retirement Communities Management
- Strategic Global Business Management
These changes reflect Algonquin College’s ongoing commitment to ensure it offers a compelling and sustainable portfolio of programs which continues to meet the needs of learners and industry.
Need assistance?
Current Domestic learners: contact your program coordinator or the Registrar’s Office if you have questions.
New Domestic learners: contact the Registrar’s Office for guidance and support.
New international learners, please visit the International Education Centre Recruitment Page to connect with the Algonquin College representative for your country.
Current international learners, please open the Ask the IEC Help Ticket and follow the steps to connect with the International Education Centre.
What is happening with some of Algonquin College’s programs?
suspending 37 academic programs, 31 program suspensions and six campus-specific program offering suspensions, effective Fall 2025. This represents 16% of the College’s programs of study.
How will this decision affect students in these programs?
by the Board of Governors on Feb. 24, 2025. No new students will be admitted to these programs starting Fall 2025. Currently enrolled students and students admitted to their program for Spring 2025 will be able to complete their studies, provided they meet all the necessary academic requirements. as outlined by the College’s and Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ . As a general principle, the College is to provide students with the opportunity to complete the program at the College in which they are enrolled within the normal time period.
Why are these programs being suspended or cancelled?
The decision is part of Algonquin College’s strategic program planning, which includes responding to recent policy decisions by the federal government and prevailing provincial funding shortfalls. Programs are evaluated against metrics such as student demand, retention and graduation rates, financial viability and program quality.
What options are available for new learners interested in the suspended programs?
For new learners, the Registrar’s Office will be reaching out with alternative program choices via email based on your individual circumstance.
For new international learners, please visit the International Education Centre Recruitment page to connect with the Algonquin College representative for your country.
Algonquin College offers a wide range of programs designed to meet the needs of learners and employers. Visit our website to discover programs that align with your interests and career goals.
I’m an international student whose program is being suspended. Am I still eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit?
As of November 1, 2024, college students must complete a program of study meeting the field-of-study requirement to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). If you did not apply for your study permit before November 1, 2024, and would like to be considered for a PGWP, you must complete a program that meets the field of study requirements. View the list of PGWP eligible programs.
International students who held a study permit or submitted a study permit application before Nov. 1, 2024, will be exempt from the “Field of study requirement” for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) upon completion of the program of study named on the Letter of Acceptance used in their study permit application. Students must remain compliant with all other study permit conditions.
If your current program of study is not the academic program named on the original Letter of Acceptance used in your study permit application, please submit an ‘Ask the IEC’ Help Ticket for further guidance on PGWP eligibility.
I am an international student. Will I have issues extending my study permit for the duration of my program?
Your application for a study permit extension will not be assessed based on program status or PGWP eligibility. We do not anticipate issues with study permit extensions for students who have remained compliant with all study permit conditions.
If your current program of study is not the academic program named on the original Letter of Acceptance used in your study permit application, you may require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Please review the IRCC announcement page.
What if a student plans to take a year off from a program that is now being suspended?
learners should avoid unnecessary breaks, follow the program progression as closely as possible and shouldn’t plan to take time off. If you’re not sure you can take an unscheduled break, talk to your academic advisor or program coordinator.
How will this decision impact Co-operative Education (Co-op) for these programs?
Currently enrolled students and students admitted to their program for Spring 2025 will be able to complete their studies, including all ongoing and future co-op activities, provided they meet all the necessary academic requirements.
For current co-op students in an affected program, please contact your co-op student advisor. If you do not have a co-op student advisor yet, please email coop@algonquincollege.com.
For employers hiring co-op students from an affected program, please contact your Industry Engagement Specialist or email Employer Request for Information- Co-op & Career Centre.
I am enrolled in an affected program – is my field placement impacted?
If you are currently in a field placement, please continue to attend your placement as scheduled.
Are there any additional supports that I can access?
All learners are encouraged to visit the Student Services website for a full list of resources available to support learners.
All international learners are encouraged to visit the IEC Future and Current Students website for a full list of resources available to support international learners.
How have recent changes in international student policies impacted this decision?
Recent announcements by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have set caps on international student permit applications and restricted post-graduation work permits to select programs. Approximately 62% of Algonquin College’s programs are ineligible for these permits, which has significantly reduced international student admissions and affected program viability.
For more information on IRCC changes, please go to IRCC Updates website.
Will these changes impact the quality of education at Algonquin College?
No, these changes are ultimately designed to enhance the quality of education. By continually updating and focusing on financially viable and in-demand programs, College ensures its offerings remain relevant, sustainable and aligned with learner, industry and community needs.
What is the long-term impact of these suspensions on the College?
The suspensions are meant to help the College remain financially sustainable, adapt to evolving government funding models and focus on programs with strong student demand and industry relevance. This ensures the College continues to serve learners and the community effectively.
I have questions about how these decisions impact my academic journey, who can I contact?
For new applicants, please email admissions@algonquincollege.com.
For new international applicants, please visit the International Education Centre Recruitment Page to connect with the Algonquin College representative for your country.
For current international learners, please open the Ask the IEC Help Ticket and follow the steps to connect with the International Education Centre for questions relating to potential immigration impacts not covered in the FAQs Students should choose “immigration” as the topic from the drop down list.
For current learners who have questions, please contact your program coordinator.
What steps is the College taking to support affected learners?
The College has implemented comprehensive support measures, including:
- Ensuring all current students can complete their programs through the teach-out process.
- Providing referrals and guidance for prospective students to find alternative programs.
International learners
- For new international learners, please visit the International Education Centre Recruitment Page to connect with the Algonquin College representative for your country.
- For current international learners, please open the Ask the IEC Help Ticket and follow the steps to connect with the International Education Centre for questions relating to potential immigration impacts not covered in the FAQs. Students should choose “immigration” as the topic from the drop down list. For current international learners who have questions about their teach out plans, please contact your program coordinator.
How have recent federal government policy decisions impacted Algonquin College?
Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented several policies over the past year that significantly impacted Algonquin College and other post-secondary institutions, including:
- A limit on the number of study permits issued to international learners between 2024 and 2026.
- A reduction in the number of academic programs eligible for Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs), which allow international graduates to work in Canada after completing their studies.
- Lower immigration targets for 2025-2027, which may reduce the chances of international learners obtaining permanent residency in Canada.
These changes reduce the number of international learners who can study at the College and limit the appeal of certain programs for those who want to work and settle in Canada.
What financial challenges is Algonquin College facing beyond international enrolment?
In addition to the reduced international enrolment, Algonquin College is dealing with:
- A provincial freeze on domestic learner tuition fees since 2018-2019, following a 10% reduction that reset fees to 2015-2016 levels.
- Minimal increases in provincial government funding over the past seven years, with no adjustments for inflation.
How has the reduction in international enrolment impacted Algonquin College?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the College expects nearly 2,400 fewer incoming international learners than its budgeted target of 7,447. This decline represents a significant loss of revenue, as international learners make up a large portion of enrolments in programs that are now ineligible for work permits under the new rules.
Why are Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) important for international learners?
PGWPs allow international graduates to work in Canada after completing their studies, making them a key incentive for international learners choosing where to study. Programs that are no longer eligible for PGWPs may become less attractive to prospective international learners, reducing enrolments in those programs.
As a result of these challenges, how large of a budget deficit is projected for 2025-2026?
Without addressing this perilous fiscal situation, Algonquin College will incur a budget deficit, on a cash flow basis, of at least $60 million in 2025-2026, rising to $93 million by 2026-2027.
Why can’t we simply use our reserves to address the shortfall?
While it might seem like a straightforward solution, using our reserves is not a sustainable long-term strategy. Our reserves are set aside for specific purposes, such as emergency situations, capital projects and strategic initiatives that ensure the College’s future growth and stability. Depleting these reserves to cover operational shortfalls would jeopardize our ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances and invest in critical infrastructure and programs.
What is the College doing to address the financial challenges?
Program suspensions: Algonquin College is suspending approximately 16% of its programs of study starting Fall 2025 as part of a strategic realignment of our offerings and to ensure long-term sustainability.
Workforce impact and support: A targeted retirement incentive (TRDI) and other measures are being introduced to minimize impacts and support employees.
Financial sustainability efforts: The College is implementing cost-saving strategies, including ongoing program reviews, expense reductions, and operational efficiencies.
Strategic realignment: Corporate Training and Business Development will be streamlined to focus on core priorities.
Perth Campus: A recommendation will be tabled at the Feb. 24, 2025 Board of Governors meeting to transfer the three current programs of study in Perth to the Ottawa campus and cease operations of the Perth Campus by the end of August 2026.
Ongoing review: The College is continuing to undertake measures to review efficiencies in all areas of its operations. This includes participating in the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Efficiency and Accountability Fund Program.
What is the Efficiency and Accountability Fund Program?
As shared at the January Town Hall, the College will be participating in the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Efficiency and Accountability Fund Program.
As part of the Ministry’s initiative, colleges are being asked to identify efficiencies in their operations. The new Efficiency and Accountability Fund has been made available to help colleges collaborate with consulting firms to find efficiencies in areas such as governance, academic programming, facilities, collaborative procurement and revenue generation opportunities.
To support these reviews, we have partnered with Nous Group, an international consultancy firm with 25 years of experience undertaking financial efficiency reviews with post-secondary education institutions. This review will take place from February to June 2025.
What is happening at the Perth Campus?
Algonquin College’s Board of Governors (on Feb. 24, 2025) approved the transfer of Perth’s three programs to the Ottawa Campus and the cessation of operations at Perth by August 2026.
What does the Perth Campus decision mean for learners?
All learners currently enrolled at the Perth Campus will have the opportunity to complete their programs and graduate as per guidelines set out by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. All impacted learners will receive further communication from the College.