Saint Mary’s University

Saint Mary’s University keeps classes small, with an average of 35 students in an introductory course. Saint Mary’s also has a strong international community; almost a third of its student body hails from 117 countries.  “Saint Mary’s occupies a distinctive position in Canada—our students and alumni can attest to this,” says president Robert Summerby-Murray. “No matter their interests, our students can thrive here, where we combine access to world-class academics and research with an incredibly supportive and vibrant community.”

Last year, the Sobey School of Business launched a new curriculum with core courses in sustainability, entrepreneurship and operations management, in addition to its foundational courses in management, finance and accounting previously offered. Bachelor of commerce students get hands-on learning through case competitions, international experience, student-run investment programs and interaction with the business community. The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health has expanded and is developing new programs for students, with a mission to deliver responsible approaches to sport. In response to an increased demand for STEM programming, the school recently relocated SMU Engineering to a newly renovated 28,000-square-foot building with state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and project rooms. The campus is small and intimate, occupying a leafy city block in Halifax’s South End. Downtown is only minutes away. A network of overpasses and tunnels gets students to and from class without having to set foot outside in bad weather.

Campus buzz: Students in the 22-storey Loyola Residence can rest easy knowing their dorm is the tallest solar-integrated building in North America, contributing approximately 100,000 kWh of energy annually and reducing the university’s carbon footprint by more than 40 tonnes per year. 

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$10,119 ($11,402 out-of-province students) 

Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 70.2% | Science: 71.2% | Commerce: 70% | Engineering: 70.25%

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 4,962 | Part-time: 563
Graduates: Full-time: 626 | Part-time: 137
International Students: First-year: 22.9% | Graduate: 65.8%

Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 1,136 (first come, first served)
Cost of double room with meals: $13,335 to $13,670
Cost of single room with meals: $15,080 to $15,425
Cost of apartment-style: $7,505 to $9,500

Standout programs

Criminology: Students explore how societies define and respond to crime. The program delves into crime prevention, systems of punishment, policing, prisons, restorative justice and human rights. 

Commerce: In this customizable program at the Sobey School of Business, students can study sustainability, entrepreneurship and operations management while learning modern business fundamentals.  

Psychology: Students study neuropsychology, development and social behaviour, and access paid internship opportunities.