In short
St. Thomas University is a small liberal arts university in Fredericton, Canada, offering a student-centred education with distinctive programs in the humanities and social sciences. It provides a close-knit community and personalized faculty support for its approximately 1,700 undergraduate students.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1910
- Students
- 1,700
- International students
- 200
- Acceptance rate
- 75%
- Tuition (intl)
- €11–15k/yr
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Location
- Canada
St. Thomas University (STU) is a small public liberal arts university in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, founded in 1910. With about 1,700 students, it focuses on undergraduate education in the humanities and social sciences, offering small classes and close student-faculty interaction. STU is recognized for programmes such as human rights, criminology, social work, journalism and Great Books.
Why study here
- Intimate, student-centred liberal arts education with small class sizes
- Distinctive programmes in human rights, criminology and journalism
- Shared hilltop campus with the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton
- Strong sense of community and personalized faculty support
- Generous entrance scholarships for international and domestic students
Student life
St. Thomas offers a tight-knit campus community with active student societies, varsity Tommies athletics, residence living and a strong volunteer culture. Located on a hill overlooking downtown Fredericton, students enjoy the amenities of New Brunswick's capital city alongside shared facilities with the neighbouring University of New Brunswick.
Fees
InternationalInternational undergraduate tuition is approximately CAD 16,000-20,000 per year.
HomeDomestic tuition is roughly CAD 9,000-10,000 per year.
LivingResidence, meals and living costs in Fredericton are around CAD 11,000-14,000 per year.
Mandatory student fees and health insurance apply. Figures vary by year and programme.
Admissions
Secondary school diplomaCompletion of high school with required academic subjects for the chosen programme
ApplicationApply directly through the St. Thomas University online application
TranscriptsOfficial secondary (and any post-secondary) transcripts required
IELTS6.5 overall
TOEFL iBT85 overall
Rankings
Maclean'sListed among Canada's primarily undergraduate universities
University scholarships
STU Entrance ScholarshipsUp to CAD 24,000 over four years
International Student ScholarshipsVaries by merit
Accreditation
Publicly funded, degree-granting university recognized by the Province of New Brunswick and a member of Universities Canada.
For international students
CanadaStudent visa & funds
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.
Working while you study
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.
After you graduate
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.
English tests
- IELTS Academic6.0–6.5 with no band below 6.0; research-intensive universities 6.5–7.0
- TOEFL iBT80–100; top universities (e.g. University of Toronto) 100+
Main intakes
SeptemberJanuaryMay
Typical living cost
€1,250/month
Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.
SourcesIRCC — Study permit: get the right documents · CIC News — Increased fund requirements for study permits (Sept 2025) · CIC News — Off-campus work rules update (May 2026) · IRCC — Post-graduation work permit: who can apply · ETS — Minimum TOEFL score requirements for the USA, UK and Canada · Mastersportal — Living costs & tuition in Canada
Scholarships
for Canada
full fundingUniversity of Toronto
Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship
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.
full
Funding
€200k
Max
Nov 30, 2026
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of British Columbia
International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award
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.
full
Funding
€70k
Max
Nov 15, 2026
Deadline
full fundingWestern University
Western University National Scholarship Program (Canada)
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.
full
Funding
€47k
Max
Feb 14, 2027
Deadline
partial fundingUniversity of Ottawa
University of Ottawa International English Scholarships
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.
partial
Funding
€46k
Max
Apr 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Open 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.
full
Funding
€34k
Max
Nov 4, 2026
Deadline
full fundingCIHR / NSERC / SSHRC (Tri-Agency), Government of Canada
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D)
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.
full
Funding
€27k
Max
Nov 1, 2026
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the approximate tuition fees for international students at St. Thomas University?
+
International undergraduate tuition at St. Thomas University is approximately CAD 16,000-20,000 per year. Mandatory student fees and health insurance also apply.
What is the estimated cost of living for students at St. Thomas University?
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Residence, meals, and living costs in Fredericton are estimated to be around CAD 11,000-14,000 per year.
What academic programs is St. Thomas University known for?
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St. Thomas University is recognized for undergraduate programs in the humanities and social sciences, with distinctive offerings in human rights, criminology, social work, journalism, and Great Books.
What are the English language proficiency requirements for international applicants?
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International applicants typically need a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS or 85 overall on the TOEFL iBT.
Does St. Thomas University offer scholarships for international students?
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Yes, St. Thomas University offers entrance scholarships for international students, including STU Entrance Scholarships that can provide up to CAD 24,000 over four years, and other merit-based International Student Scholarships.
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