ONCAT has published a report by Jeffrey Napierala exploring student mobility through the 2025 data from Academica’s University/College Applicant Study. Looking specifically at Ontario applicants who completed the UCAS in 2025, Napierala explored the differences between mobile applicants and nonmobile peers. The author found that mobile applicants tended to be older, married or in common-law relationships, and employed full-time but with lower levels of income and parental education than their nonmobile counterparts. When it came to applying to higher ed, mobile applicants tended to submit fewer applications on average and place a stronger emphasis on career outcomes and proximity to home. Napierala concludes with three recommendations for the postsecondary sector to better serve mobile students.
