Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Established in 1873 by the Sisters of Charity, it was one of the few institutions of higher education for women in Canada. In 1925 it became the only independent women’s college in the British Commonwealth, and in 1966 it became Mount Saint Vincent University (admitting men from 1967). Today MSVU offers undergraduate programs in Arts, Science, Education and professional fields, 34 graduate degrees and 8 certificate and diploma programs, in areas such as applied human nutrition, child and youth study, public relations, education and gerontology.
Its International Education Centre (IEC) offers personal, academic, cultural and immigration advising to international students. MSVU has more than 4,000 students representing close to 70 countries, around 600 faculty and staff, and more than 35,000 alumni – a small, supportive community with a big-city experience for students who want to study in Canada.
Why choose Mount Saint Vincent University
- Small, supportive campus community just minutes from downtown Halifax
- Home to the longest-standing and second-largest accredited co-operative education program in Atlantic Canada – since 1979, over 7,000 students have completed co-op work terms
- Over 300 scholarships and 500 bursaries awarded every year; international students are eligible for most of them
- Hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, with four Canada Research Chairs and research centres in food security, healthy aging, Alzheimer’s disease, literacy and childhood development
- State-of-the-art Sheila A. Brown Centre for Applied Research in Human Health (opened 2019)
- Students can take courses across departments and Faculties, with co-op terms, practica and internships built into many programs
- Free on-campus support services, including academic advising, financial aid and wellness support
Undergraduate programs and subject requirements
| Program | Degree | Required HSC subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Cultural Studies | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Economics | Bachelor of Arts | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| English | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| History | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Mathematics | Bachelor of Arts | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Political Studies | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Public Policy Studies | Bachelor of Arts | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Psychology | Bachelor of Arts | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Aging and Family Science | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Sociology/Anthropology | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Women’s and Gender Studies | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Canadian Studies | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| French | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| General Studies – 3 years (for students without Grade 12 Maths) | Bachelor of Arts | English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| General Studies – 3 years | Bachelor of Science | English (or Language), Maths & 1 Science + 2 other subjects |
| Biology | Bachelor of Science | English (or Language), Maths, Chemistry & 1 Science + 1 other subject |
| Chemistry | Bachelor of Science | English (or Language), Maths, Chemistry & 1 Science + 1 other subject |
| Mathematics | Bachelor of Science | English (or Language), Maths & 1 Science + 2 other subjects |
| Psychology | Bachelor of Science | English (or Language), Maths & 1 Science + 2 other subjects |
| Nutrition | Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition (BSc AHN) | English (or Language), Maths, Chemistry & 1 Science (Biology recommended) + 1 other subject |
| Dietetics – 4.5 years | Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition (BSc AHN) | English (or Language), Maths, Chemistry & 1 Science (Biology recommended) + 1 other subject |
| Accounting | Bachelor of Business Administration | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| General Studies | Bachelor of Business Administration | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| International Option | Bachelor of Business Administration | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Non-Profit Leadership | Bachelor of Business Administration | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Strategic Human Resource Management | Bachelor of Business Administration | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Management | Bachelor of Business Administration | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Marketing | Bachelor of Business Administration | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Child and Youth Study | Bachelor of Arts – Child and Youth Study | Grade 11 Maths & English (or Language) + 4 other subjects |
| Cooperative Education Route | Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Practical Route | Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
| Public Relations (Co-operative Education mandatory) | Bachelor of Public Relations | Maths & English (or Language) + 3 other subjects |
Graduate programs and requirements
| Program | Admission requirement |
|---|---|
| Master of Education – Curriculum Studies | 4-year bachelor’s degree and at least one year of successful teaching experience (or equivalent). Those teaching in the public school system also need a B.Ed. or equivalent; applicants working in education outside the school system do not. |
| Master of Arts in Education – Curriculum Studies: TESOL (thesis & non-thesis) | 4-year undergraduate degree in Education or a related field, preferably an honours degree or equivalent. Related work/volunteer experience is valued. |
| Master of Education – Educational Foundations (thesis & non-thesis) | 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent. |
| Master of Arts in Education – Literacy Education (thesis & non-thesis) | 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent and related experience. |
| Master of Arts in Education – Lifelong Learning (thesis & non-thesis) | 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent. |
| Master of Aging and Family Science (thesis & non-thesis) | 4-year undergraduate degree in family studies, gerontology, sociology, psychology or a related health profession (e.g. social work, nursing, health education, pharmacy). |
| Master in Child and Youth Study (thesis & non-thesis) | 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum B average and experience related to the child and youth field. Applicants without relevant experience complete 5.5 units, including GCYS 6609 in the first year. An internship is required for licensing in some jurisdictions. |
| Master of Arts in Communication (thesis) | 4-year bachelor’s degree in a communication-related field (e.g. public relations, communication studies, journalism, marketing communication). |
| Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies (thesis) | 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree with a minimum B average. |
| Master of Applied Human Nutrition (thesis & non-thesis) | 4-year bachelor’s degree in Nutrition or a related field (e.g. health sciences, kinesiology, biology, biochemistry, health promotion, nursing). |
| Master of Public Relations (non-thesis) | 4-year bachelor’s degree. |
Admission requirements
- Undergraduate: HSC (Grade 12) with a minimum 70% overall in your five best academic subjects and no subject below 60%. English at 65% or above (75% for the Bachelor of Public Relations).
- Graduate: Minimum B average (GPA 3.0, or 73% or higher on the MSVU grading scale) in the final two years of relevant undergraduate study.
- Undergraduate entrance scholarships: For high school students with an average of 80% or more. All qualified applicants who apply before March 1 are considered automatically.
- Application fee (international): Undergraduate CAD $80; Graduate CAD $90; Bachelor of Education CAD $130.
- Confirmation deposit: CAD $6,000 for students applying from outside Canada, applied toward first-year tuition. MSVU issues your Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) once it is paid. CAD $5,500 is refundable if your study permit is refused using MSVU’s PAL, or if MSVU cannot issue you a PAL; otherwise it is non-refundable.
English language requirements
| Test | Undergraduate | Graduate (Master’s) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) | 7.0 overall (no band below 6.5) |
| PTE Academic | 59 overall (no band below 54) | 61 overall (no band below 54) |
| TOEFL iBT (incl. TOEFL at Home) | 86 or higher (no section below 21) | 93 or higher (no section below 23) |
| Duolingo (DET) | 115 overall (no subscore below 95) | Not accepted |
| CAEL | 60 or above (no band below 60) | 70 or above (no band below 70) |
| Oxford ELLT | 7.0 or above (no subscore below 6.0) | Not accepted |
If your score is below the minimum, MSVU may offer conditional admission, and you can complete your English training at one of its pathway partners (not available for the School Psychology, Public Relations or Communication master’s programs). Requirements as of October 2026 and subject to change.
Intakes and deadlines (international applicants)
- January 2027 entrance:
- Undergraduate: November 6, 2026 (extended).
- Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging: November 1, 2026.
- Master of Arts in Education and Master of Education: November 2, 2026.
- May 2027 entrance – Undergraduate:
- International applicants: January 4, 2027.
- Education program: December 7, 2026.
- July 2027 entrance – Doctoral:
- PhD in Educational Studies: November 15, 2026.
- September 2027 entrance – Undergraduate:
- Education program: December 7, 2026.
- Entrance scholarships: apply by March 1, 2027.
- General: May 3, 2027.
- September 2027 entrance – Graduate (firm deadlines):
- Master of Arts in School Psychology: December 1, 2026.
- Doctor of Psychology (School and Child Clinical Psychology): December 1, 2026.
- Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies: February 1, 2027.
- September 2027 entrance – Graduate (initial deadlines; later applications considered while space remains):
- Master of Applied Human Nutrition (non-thesis, with or without internship): February 15, 2027.
- Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition (with or without internship): February 15, 2027.
- Master of Arts in Aging and Family Science / Master of Aging and Family Science: February 15, 2027.
- Master of Science – Natural Science: February 15, 2027.
- Master of Arts in Child and Youth Study / Master of Child and Youth Study: April 15, 2027.
- Master of Arts in Education / Master of Education: April 15, 2027.
- Master of Arts in Communication: April 15, 2027.
- Master of Public Relations: April 15, 2027.
- January 2028 entrance:
- Undergraduate: August 2, 2027.
- Master of Arts in Education and Master of Education: November 2, 2027.
Tuition and costs (2026–27)
- Undergraduate: regular tuition plus an international student differential of CAD $1,166 per course (a full-time year is usually 10 courses).
- Graduate (master’s): CAD $15,789 for tuition and fees (6 courses), for new international students.
- Room and board on campus: CAD $12,575 per year.
- Payment deadlines: Fall term September 16, 2026; Winter term January 13, 2027. Co-op work-term fees: Fall term October 30, 2026; Winter term February 26, 2027.
Tuition is paid directly to MSVU. Fees are set by the university and can change each year.
Scholarships at Mount Saint Vincent University
Key scholarships and funding for new students (2026–27):
- Entrance Scholarships (automatic) – undergraduate applicants with an average of 80% or more who apply by March 1 are considered automatically
- President’s Scholarship – a limited number for top applicants; requires an application form, essay, reference letters and résumé (deadline: February 15)
- Student Leadership Award – a free room in residence for new students with strong leadership records (deadline: March 1)
- Graduate Entrance Scholarships – full-time students accepted to a thesis-based master’s program by May 15 are considered automatically
- Bursaries – need-based awards (over 500 each year) that international students can apply for
Study at MSVU with WEMS
Interested in MSVU? Start with a Profile & Strategic Assessment. A WEMS counsellor will review your academics, English score and budget, and tell you honestly whether MSVU and your chosen program are the right fit. Your full cost is set at that first assessment: zero hidden fees, guaranteed.
Contact WEMS
- Hotline: +88 01909-110167
- Email: info@wemsbd.com
- Office: VIP Tower (12th Floor), 51/1 Naya Paltan, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
- Free assessment: Book your Profile & Strategic Assessment
