Dalhousie University

Overview

Dalhousie University was founded in Halifax in 1818. It has three Halifax campuses (Studley, Carleton and Sexton) in the city's south end, and an Agricultural Campus in Truro and Bible Hill that teaches agriculture and related programs in a much smaller setting.

Dal offers health professions, law and engineering among many other fields. The University of King's College, home of the Foundation Year Program and a journalism school, has shared a campus with Dalhousie for about a century, and most King's arts and science students receive the Dalhousie degree.

How to apply

Dalhousie uses its own online application, and applications for fall 2027 open on October 1. Its dates and deadlines page lists February 15, 2027 for Nursing, Health Sciences, Medical Sciences and Social Work, March 1, 2027 for Environmental Design Studies (architecture), and February 15, 2027 for the entrance scholarship application. Other programs are listed on their own pages, and Dal notes that dates can change.

Students from US high schools, IB programs and other provinces each have their own requirement pages. Our article on IB and AP at Canadian universities explains how those credits are often treated.

How grades are considered and co-op

Dal mostly admits on the average of your Grade 12 academic courses, including the specific courses each program requires. Offers made before final marks arrive are conditional on finishing your courses with the expected results. Some health programs add other steps, so read their pages early.

Co-op is an option in several Dalhousie degrees. In engineering, for example, students apply to the co-op stream and can complete three or four paid work terms from third year; computer science and other faculties also run co-op programs that students apply to join. Work terms usually extend the time to graduate but give you paid experience on your résumé.

Halifax, Truro or King's?

Most first-year students live in Halifax, where the three main campuses are a short walk or bus ride apart. If you want a small, close-knit place and your interest is in food, farming, animal science or the environment, the Agricultural Campus in Truro is worth a visit before you decide. Students drawn to a great-books style first year can look at the Foundation Year Program at King's, and check King's own admissions pages for how to apply.

Costs and funding

Tuition depends on the program and on whether you are a Nova Scotia, other Canadian or international student. Dalhousie explains how tuition is set and links to current undergraduate rates from its official tuition page. International students need a study permit; begin at the Government of Canada page on studying in Canada.

Getting ready with StudyBrix

• Engineering hopefuls can check Grade 12 courses for engineering and review trigonometry.
• Health and science students: go through biology readiness.
• Foundation Year and arts students will write a lot; try the academic writing course.

See also our guide to universities in Canada.