Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is the largest university in Atlantic Canada and home to 56 Canada Research Chairs. Key research areas include ocean sustainability and human health, communities and populations, climate tech and clean energy, culture and society, sustainable food systems, and artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Each area is supported by expertise in big data, innovation and entrepreneurship. Undergrads are offered access to research opportunities with experts, a large co-op program provides workplace experience and all programs offer experiential learning. “Dalhousie offers an amazing balance, with the community feeling you’d find at a smaller university and the research excellence you’d expect from a larger one,” says president Kim Brooks. “With a thriving innovation hub, local farm to table markets, cultural centres and events and robust ecosystems, Nova Scotia beautifully lays the framework for community, culture, knowledge and career building.” Dal’s main campus, located in the heart of Halifax’s historic South End, is warm and welcoming and features historic stone buildings alongside contemporary architecture. Two other downtown campuses are close to pubs, cafés and restaurants. The Sexton campus is home to the faculties of engineering and architecture and planning, and the Carleton campus is home to the faculties of medicine, dentistry and health. The agricultural campus in Truro, N.S.—about an hour from Halifax—is home to the only agriculture program in Atlantic Canada.

Campus Buzz: Opening in the winter of 2026, the new Oulton-Stanish Centre, which includes an NHL-sized ice rink, brings varsity hockey back to campus after nearly 13 years. It will also allow the restart of figure skating clubs and intramural hockey on campus. 

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
 $10,759 ($11,974 out-of-province students)

Median Entering Grades
Arts: 85.8% | Science: 89.6% | Commerce: 87.2% | Engineering: 89.1%

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 14,491 | Part-time: 1,624
Graduates: Full-time: 4,071 | Part-time: 735
International Students: First-year: 6% | Graduate: 36%

Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 2,851 (approx. 2,100 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of single room: $8,290 to $10,297
Cost of double room with meals: $12,413 to $15,068
Cost of single room with meals: $13,446 to $17,580
Cost of apartment-style: $8,764.81 to $12,315

Standout programs

Community Design: Through a blend of studio learning, small classes and real world projects, students focus on urban design, environmental planning or sustainability, and complete a professional internship before graduation. 
Computer Science: Students learn theory while staying career-focused through co-op placements. Students can also customize their degree, focusing on areas like AI, cybersecurity or digital innovation. 
Marine Biology: Students in the program learn directly on the Atlantic Ocean, observing the behaviour of sperm whales, running underwater experiments and studying seals, marine birds and ecosystems.

Reputation

Ranked #9 (Medical Doctoral) among faculty members and hiring managers in the 2025 reputation survey, powered by Angus Reid Group.