
Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, offers a personalized education with small class sizes and a diverse community of over 4,000 students from nearly 70 countries. The university is known for its commitment to social responsibility and offers unique programs in Public Relations and Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is a public university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Established in 1873, MSVU has a strong commitment to social responsibility and was founded by women for the advancement of women. The university promotes academic excellence, fostering socially responsible global citizens. MSVU offers a personalized approach to education with some of the smallest class sizes in Canada, ensuring professors know students by name. The university has a diverse community of over 4,000 students from nearly 70 countries. MSVU is also recognized for its applied research, with centers focusing on areas like food security, healthy aging, Alzheimer's disease, and literacy, providing students with hands-on research opportunities. The university is dedicated to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) across all aspects of university life and within the broader community. MSVU is a welcoming and safe campus environment, offering a wide range of support services to help students achieve their academic and personal goals.
MSVU offers a vibrant campus life with numerous services and resources designed to support students academically and personally. The International Education Centre (IEC) provides personal, academic, cultural, and immigration advising specifically for international students, as well as support for study abroad opportunities. Campus safety is a top priority, with resources like MSVU SAFE and Mount Alert to ensure a secure environment. Students can engage in various activities, including athletics, fitness programs at the Mount Fitness Centre, and campus recreation. On-campus residence options include traditional dorm rooms at Assisi, spacious townhouses at The Birches, and modern apartments at Westwood, catering to different preferences and needs. The university provides a comprehensive A-Z list of facilities and services, all free of charge to students, including academic advising, career services, mental well-being support, and various student support offices like the Black Student Support Office and the Indigenous Student Centre.
Tuition and fees are for the 2026-2027 academic year. Payment deadlines are September 16 for the Fall Term and January 13 for the Winter Term (except for co-op work-term fees). Health/Dental Plan is $582.
The information provided does not contain specific details on university-wide or programmatic accreditation, beyond being a recognized university in Canada.
International students must obtain a study permit from IRCC before arriving. Most college and undergraduate applicants must also include a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) confirming a space under the annual cap; from January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt from this requirement. Applicants must show living funds of CAD 22,895 (effective September 2025, for a single student, excluding tuition and travel), and Student Direct Stream applicants hold this amount as a GIC.
Full-time students at designated learning institutions whose permits include work authorization may work up to 24 hours per week off campus during academic terms — a cap in effect since November 2024 that replaced the former 20-hour rule and a temporary 40-hour exception. Students may work unlimited hours during scheduled breaks such as summer and winter holidays. From April 2026, eligible students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for mandatory placements.
Graduates of eligible programs may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 180 days of confirmed completion. The PGWP matches program length up to a maximum of three years, and master’s graduates receive a three-year permit regardless of program length. Since November 2024 most applicants must show a recent language test at CLB 7 (university graduates) or CLB 5 (college graduates); degree graduates are exempt from the field-of-study alignment rule that applies to other applicants.
Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.

Gerontology is the study of aging and the diverse challenges faced by older adults. As global healthcare improves and birth rates fall, the proportion of the world's population that is elderly is rapidly increasing. Mount Saint Vincent University's Aging programs help you understand the dynamics of aging and the health and human service systems that support older individuals. You will learn to recognize issues related to aging and develop a deeper understanding of the field. These programs offer flexible learning environments with diverse student bodies, encouraging peer-to-peer learning through lectures and group discussions. You can pursue a major, honours, combined major, concentration, or minor in Aging, which can complement studies in sociology, psychology, public policy, or women's studies. The curriculum is designed to enhance your interpersonal communication, conflict management, advocacy, analytical, and leadership skills, fostering an understanding of social citizenship.

The Applied Human Nutrition program at Mount Saint Vincent University offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study the complex relationships between food, nutrients, health, and the environment. You can choose between two undergraduate degree paths: BScAHN Nutrition or BScAHN Dietetics. The Nutrition stream allows for more elective choices and prepares graduates for a variety of roles in areas like food marketing, government, social services, and the agri-food sector, or for further study in research or education. The Dietetics stream is designed for students aspiring to become Registered Dietitians (RD) or Professional Dietitians (PDt), preparing them for practice in Canada. Both programs provide a strong foundation for careers in nutrition and health-related fields.

Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) offers a range of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees designed to provide students with specialized education and a foundation for future careers. Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, these programs cater to diverse interests, from the sciences and business to humanities and social sciences.

The Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies at MSVU is a four-year program designed to help you explore how culture is shaped by and, in turn, shapes society. You will critically examine the meaning of art and culture, focusing on themes like power, social justice, and the socio-political and economic factors influencing cultural production. The program allows you to delve into diverse areas such as film, music, art, visual culture, and critical theory, drawing connections between popular culture, media, and various academic disciplines.


The History program at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) encourages students to understand the present by examining how people have shaped events and societies in the past. The program explores all facets of recorded human experience, including social relations, cultural expressions, political events, and economic activities, to understand the evolution of human thoughts, actions, and habits over time. Students can choose from various program options, including a major, combined major, minor, concentration, or an honours degree. The university also offers an internship program to provide practical, real-world experience in corporate, government, or non-profit sectors.
For international students beginning undergraduate study at the University of Toronto who are first-time entrants from outside Canada. Students must be nominated by their school, then complete the U of T application and scholarship process. Selection recognises exceptional academic achievement and creativity, with a record of leadership and impact at school.
For international students entering their first undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC) who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and financial need. Students must be nominated by their school and require financial support to study at UBC; the award is need-based, covering costs the student and family cannot meet.
Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents entering full-time undergraduate study at Western University's main campus, with a minimum academic average of 90% in Grade 12 U/M courses (or equivalent), a school nomination, a reference letter, a transcript and an essay.
Open to international undergraduate students who hold a valid Canadian study permit and are newly admitted to an English-language undergraduate programme in Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, or the Telfer School of Management. A minimum admission average of 80 percent is needed for the Admission Scholarship and 90 percent for the Academic Excellence Scholarship. Students in the French immersion or French-language streams are not eligible.
full fundingOpen to Canadian and international students pursuing a doctoral (PhD) degree at a Canadian university. Candidates must be nominated by the Canadian institution, not yet have started the doctoral program beyond defined limits, and demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.
For doctoral students undertaking a PhD at a Canadian institution, with an outstanding academic record. Awards are made by Canada's tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC); applicants apply through their university, and eligibility (including for international students) follows the current Canada Graduate Scholarships rules.
For new undergraduate international students, tuition and fees range from $23,215 to $23,667 per year for 10 courses. New graduate international students can expect tuition and fees of $15,789 per year for 6 courses. Room and board are an additional $12,575 per year.
International high school students need to have completed a preparatory program qualifying them for university entrance in their home country. An average of 70% in the final year, considering five best academic subjects, is required, along with meeting program-specific requirements.
Yes, the International Education Centre (IEC) at MSVU offers personal, academic, cultural, and immigration advising specifically for international students. They also provide support for study abroad opportunities.
Mount Saint Vincent University is recognized for having some of the smallest class sizes in Canada, which allows professors to know students by name and fosters a personalized learning environment.
MSVU offers Canada's only four-year Bachelor of Public Relations degree and was the first in the country to offer a Tourism and Hospitality Management program.