Mount Saint Vincent University
At a time when women could not vote, Mount Saint Vincent was the only institution in Canada dedicated to higher education for women. The Mount has been admitting men since the 1960s, but the commitment to the advancement of women lives on—as does a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion through the Aboriginal Student Centre, the Black Student Support Office, accessibility services and 2SLGBTQIA+ resources. Last spring, MSVU welcomed its first African Nova Scotian Community Pathways Navigator, to break down barriers to higher education and promote successful transitions for new students from African Nova Scotian communities. “At MSVU, our students aren’t just acquiring knowledge; they’re also acquiring the skills they need to be socially responsible global citizens,” says president Joël Dickinson. “We’re here to connect students with others who see past obstacles and to lift them up when they need it.”
At the Centre for Applied Research in Human Health, students can work alongside faculty researching public-health issues, such as nutrition and Alzheimer’s. Students have early opportunities to conduct research in fields such as quantum chemistry, neuroscience and tourism. This year, construction begins on an expanded Child Study Centre. Set to open in 2026, it will triple the number of childcare spaces on campus and will also create new high-calibre teaching, learning and research space for students pursuing early childhood education. Although it’s less than eight kilometres to downtown Halifax, the heavily treed campus feels like a retreat. Deer sometimes graze in the community garden, which was built to provide access to sustainably managed food.
Campus buzz: Students can now get around the campus—known for its steep hills—on electric bikes available for students, faculty and staff.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$9,792 ($10,850 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 67% | Science: 65.85% | Commerce: 74.4%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 2,105 | Part-time: 590
Graduates: Full-time: 230 | Part-time: 706
International Students: First-year: 19.6% | Graduate: 63.9%
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 393 (approx 130 for first years)
Cost of single room with meals: $11,570 to $12,475
Cost of apartment-style: $7,365 to $12,475
Standout programs
Political Studies: With an emphasis on Canadian politics, students learn how political systems work and explore the sources of local, national and international conflict.
Applied Human Nutrition: Students looking to become dietitians or food service providers, or work in the fields of food security and health care, will learn about developments in food, nutrition and health.
Child and Youth Study: Students explore early childhood education, youth care and research related to children. The on-campus childcare centre provides teaching and research opportunities.
