How to Study in Nova Scotia for International Students

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Nova Scotia, one of the states in Canada, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Nova Scotia currently has 12 universities, from which 12 universities are a part of the public sector and 0 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Nova Scotia you should definitely check out are Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, and Cape Breton University.

Being able to study in Nova Scotia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Nova Scotia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Nova Scotia

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Nova Scotia, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 9,938 CAD to 28,100 CAD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 1,063 CAD and 45,800 CAD.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Nova Scotia

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Nova Scotia, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Saint Mary’s University, Halifax 20,900 CAD - 25,100 CAD 12,300 CAD - 45,800 CAD
Saint Francis Xavier University 9,938 CAD - 10,400 CAD 1,063 CAD - 7,882 CAD
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University 23,900 CAD 24,100 CAD
University of King’s College 25,800 CAD - 28,100 CAD 26,600 CAD - 29,800 CAD
Université Sainte-Anne 10,200 CAD
Dalhousie University 16,900 CAD 16,900 CAD
Cape Breton University 17,100 CAD 9,602 CAD - 12,500 CAD
NSCAD University 20,900 CAD 21,100 CAD
Saint Mary’s University 19,700 CAD - 21,200 CAD 14,700 CAD - 19,200 CAD
St. Francis Xavier University 10,200 CAD - 10,600 CAD 6,567 CAD - 8,120 CAD
Mount Saint Vincent University 19,600 CAD - 20,000 CAD 13,400 CAD
Acadia University 19,000 CAD 13,400 CAD - 19,200 CAD

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Nova Scotia

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Nova Scotia, check out the Cheap Universities in Nova Scotia!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Nova Scotia for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Nova Scotia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Nova Scotia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Nova Scotia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Nova Scotia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Nova Scotia and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Saint Mary’s University, Halifax

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Saint Francis Xavier University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Nova Scotia

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Nova Scotia have online applications available on their websites, like Dalhousie University and Saint Mary’s University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Nova Scotia.

Dalhousie University

Saint Mary’s University

Cape Breton University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Nova Scotia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Nova Scotia.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Nova Scotia

If you’re going to study in Nova Scotia, you will need to apply for a student visa in Canada

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Canada. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Study Permit .

To start your student visa application in Nova Scotia, you will need to present the following:

  1. Valid travel document
  2. Passport-sized photos
  3. Proof of financial capacity to fund studies and living expenses
  4. Letter of acceptance from the university
  5. Medical exam
  6. Letter of explanation indicating the reason for studying in Canada
  7. Quebec Acceptance Certificate issued by the government

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Canada is 150 CAD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Prepare the required documents.
  2. Apply online or by paper. The instructions and other forms are available on the Canadian Government website.
  3. Visit the nearest Visa Application Centre in your home country.
  4. Pay the visa processing fee.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Nova Scotia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!