Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is renowned for combining meaningful teaching and innovative research with a sense of social responsibility that inspires ambitious students to make a real-world difference at a global level.

Located on Canada's scenic East Coast, Dalhousie has three campuses in Nova Scotia's oceanside capital Halifax; an Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia; and two program-specific campuses in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Dalhousie has a student population of over 21,000 learners and researchers from more than 120 countries around the world. International students are welcomed by friendly locals in Nova Scotia, and the university's International Centre helps new arrivals to Canada settle into the local culture and customs through orientation events throughout the academic year.

The leading research-intensive university in Nova Scotia, Dalhousie is ranked 12th in Canada and in the top 20 per cent of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2027). Combining groundbreaking research with outstanding teaching, Dalhousie empowers its students to achieve their academic goals while making a positive impact on the world.

In addition to over 300 degree programs, the university provides its students with professional connections to partner organisations in both academia and industry. These international connections provide unique opportunities for students to network with future employers and undertake work-term opportunities.

Dalhousie's commitment to inclusive excellence is achieved by championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) at every level of university activity. Driven by a responsibility to address systemic inequalities, Dalhousie works tirelessly to help students from all backgrounds fulfil their unique potential and achieve future career success.

Dalhousie is one of Canada's research powerhouse universities and the output of its cutting-edge researchers informs teaching on all the university's programs. Students receive exceptional and individualized attention from staff at Dalhousie, and 92 per cent of the university's faculty hold a PhD or doctorate. Dalhousie is ranked fourth among Canada's medical-doctoral universities by Maclean's (2026) for the number of full-time professors who have won national awards.

Dalhousie's more than 4,000 faculty and staff draw on a wealth of academic and real-world industry experience to deliver courses designed to equip students with the transferable skills and knowledge they need for future professional success in specialist areas. With a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio — one of the lowest in Canada — the university ensures that students have access to individual support throughout their studies. Students also learn alongside high-achieving classmates: the average entering grade of first-year students is 87.6 per cent.

Dalhousie has been recognized internationally for the strength of its teaching and impact. The university was ranked 12th in Canada in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 14th in Canada in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Dalhousie is also ranked one of the top 100 universities worldwide for the advancement of sustainability in line with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026).

Dalhousie University has 13 academic faculties that expand understanding through research and teaching excellence. With over 4,000 courses on offer across more than 300 degree programs, prospective students have an array of subjects to choose from when deciding their area of study. Dalhousie ensures that students find the perfect fit for their academic aspirations by providing comprehensive academic support, and all programs are designed to provide strong foundations for careers in specialist fields.

With programs offered at undergraduate, graduate, and professional level, course types at Dalhousie include bachelor's degrees, diplomas, entry-to-practice programs, master's degrees, and PhDs.

The 13 faculties at Dalhousie University are:

• Agriculture
• Architecture & Planning
• Arts & Social Sciences
• Computer Science
• Dentistry
• Engineering
• Graduate Studies
• Health
• Schulich School of Law
• Management
• Medicine
• Science
• Open Learning & Career Development

Program requirements for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Dalhousie University vary on a course-by-course basis. Prospective students are advised to consult individual course pages for the most up-to-date entry requirements for their preferred program of study. For international undergraduate applicants, Dalhousie provides a comprehensive list of equivalent secondary-school level qualifications.

International undergraduate applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language for entry onto Dalhousie courses. Full information on accepted English language test types and scores, as well as further information on the university's own English language pathway programs, can be viewed on Dalhousie's international admissions information page.

Similarly, applicants for postgraduate programs are required to meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies' English language proficiency requirements to study at Dalhousie. Some graduate programs may require higher test scores than the minimum set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, however, and applicants are encouraged to consult individual course pages for any further English language entry requirements. Here, prospective graduate students can also view the academic requirements for each graduate program.

Should international applicants require any assistance with their application to Dalhousie, the university's International Centre is always available to provide support. The centre's dedicated immigration advisors can help prospective students navigate the necessary visas and permits needed to live, study and work in Canada.

At Dalhousie, students enjoy a range of learning and recreational spaces, ranging from cutting-edge facilities to historic ivy-covered buildings. Dalhousie's three campuses in Halifax are Studley, Carleton, and Sexton. The university also has the Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia, as well as program-specific campuses in Saint John, New Brunswick, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Student safety is a top priority at Dalhousie. All campuses are supported by 24-hour security services year-round, and residences are staffed with trained professionals and security personnel. Students also have access to DalSAFE, a mobile safety app that provides alerts, interactive maps, and resources.

The Studley Campus is Dalhousie's main campus, located on the scenic Halifax Peninsula and surrounded by modern amenities and local attractions. State-of-the-art facilities for learning at the Studley Campus include the Killam Memorial Library, which is home to over one million books, 40,000 journals, and a variety of flexible learning commons. The Studley Campus is also home to the large Dalplex fitness and athletic facility, the Dalhousie Students' Union, the university's International Office, and the new Oulton-Stanish Centre, a 60,000-square-foot sport and wellness facility which opened in 2026.

Dalhousie guarantees a room in residence to new international students entering directly from high school who have a complete residence application on file by May 1. With more than 2,780 student housing spaces, there are a range of on-campus accommodation options available, as well as support for students who live off-campus. In addition to traditional dorm-style single and double room residences, the university provides apartment-style residences for those who prefer an independent lifestyle.

Students can live in residence at Dalhousie's Halifax campus and the Agricultural Campus in Truro. In traditional residence, full accommodation, meals, and internet are included in fees.

Dalhousie University provides international students with a number of scholarship, stipend, and bursary opportunities to help them fund the cost of their studies. More than 2,000 entrance awards are available through Dalhousie's General Entrance Awards application.

There are a number of scholarships available to future and current undergraduate students at Dalhousie, with the university investing more than CAD 67 million each year in scholarships, bursaries, and student employment. Entrance scholarships are awarded based on criteria such as academic achievement, financial need, cultural identity, leadership potential, community service involvement, and extracurricular activities.

A landmark CAD 3.5 million investment from the McCall MacBain Foundation in Dalhousie's Student Leadership Academy has also created 10 entrance scholarships that provide financial support, professional opportunities, and mentorship to help students develop leadership skills in specialist fields.

Funding awards available to international graduate students at Dalhousie include the Dalhousie Research Excellence Scholarship for doctoral students, worth CAD 35,000 per year for up to four years. The university also offers the Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship, worth CAD 10,000 per year for up to two years for master's students and CAD 15,000 per year for up to four years for doctoral candidates.

International students are provided with a tuition guarantee in certain undergraduate programs. This ensures stable and predictable annual tuition fees in Canadian dollars (CAD) for the duration of the program, for up to five years with no increases.

Dalhousie partners with top Indian research institutes to develop a new innovation campus

Following an announcement in Mumbai at an event attended by Canada's Prime Minister, Dalhousie is proud to be one of four U15 universities partnering with IIT Tirupati and IISER Tirupati to develop an innovation campus that connects research, talent, and industry in ways that support shared prosperity in both Canada and India.

The collaboration is bolstered by a CAD 520,000 investment under the Government of Canada's Indo-Pacific Scholarships & Fellowships for Canadians. The investment will enable more than 30 Dalhousie faculty, graduate students and research personnel to build in-person research partnerships with leading institutions across the Indo-Pacific region over the next two years.

Dalhousie opens the Oulton-Stanish Centre, a new home for sport, wellness, and community

In March 2026, Dalhousie officially opened the Oulton-Stanish Centre, a 60,000-square-foot facility featuring an NHL-size ice rink, event space, and an expanded home for the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic. The centre serves as an on-campus wellness hub for students, faculty, staff, and the greater Halifax community that supports varsity competition, training, and recreational programming.

Dalhousie leads Lab2Market, Canada's national network for innovation and entrepreneurship skills training

Dalhousie was recently awarded a CAD 32 million Lab2Market grant from the Government of Canada. The grant establishes the university as the national headquarters of Lab2Market, an innovative commercialization and entrepreneurship skills training program projected to expand to over 50 universities, colleges, and research hospitals across Canada. Through Lab2Market, Dalhousie students benefit from unique opportunities to commercialize their research and launch new companies.