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. A tuition waiver program exists for former youth in care.

“We know that the world is a better place when a greater diversity of people have access to higher education,” says president Joël Dickinson. “That’s why we support all students to achieve their academic goals, and prioritize access and impact for students from underserved groups.”

The Mount offers six undergraduate and seven graduate degrees that can be completed entirely online. The Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research is home to programs in women’s studies, business and tourism. At the Centre for Applied Research in Human Health, students can work alongside faculty researching public health issues, such as nutrition and Alzheimer’s disease. Students have early opportunities to conduct research in fields such as quantum chemistry, neuroscience and tourism. Personalized schedules provide flexibility, and co-op options deliver hands-on experience. 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 visit the campus hens in the school’s community garden during the summer months.