Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is a public research university in Nova Scotia, Canada, with its main campuses in Halifax and an Agricultural Campus in Truro. It is one of Canada's U15 research-intensive universities and is a strong option for international students who want a recognised Canadian degree, a coastal city lifestyle and access to co-op, work-integrated learning and research opportunities.

The university is known for subjects such as computer science, engineering, management, commerce, health sciences, dentistry, medicine, law, agriculture, marine science, environmental science, life sciences, psychology and social sciences. Its Halifax location gives students access to government, healthcare, finance, technology, ocean industries, retail, hospitality and start-up activity in Atlantic Canada.

For students planning the September 2026 intake, Dalhousie can be a good fit if the goal is to study at a well-ranked Canadian research university with strong academic breadth, co-op options in selected programs and a practical student city that is smaller than Toronto or Vancouver.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
University type	Public research university
Main location	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Additional campus	Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia
University group	U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities
Popular intake	September 2026
Academic structure	13 faculties and more than 300 degree programs
Student community	Students from more than 120 countries
International students	Around 13% of the student body
Known for	Research, marine and ocean studies, health, computer science, engineering, management, law, agriculture and sustainability
Career support	Bissett Student Success Centre, myCareer, Work-Integrated Learning and Co-operative Education, Management Career Services

Why Dalhousie University Can Be A Good Fit

Dalhousie is useful for students who want a Canadian university with a strong research profile but do not want to be limited to the largest Canadian cities. Halifax is a student-friendly capital city with universities, hospitals, public-sector offices, financial services, start-ups, tourism, port activity and a growing technology sector.

The university is also practical for students who want career exposure during study. Dalhousie reports more than 2,800 work terms and has co-op or work-integrated learning options in areas such as computer science, engineering, science, management and selected professional programs. Students should still confirm the placement or co-op structure on the exact course page before applying.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

Tuition fees vary by program, level, course load and student status. Dalhousie states that 2026-27 tuition prices are listed in Canadian dollars and are subject to annual review.

Study level	Indicative 2026/27 international fee pattern	Notes
Undergraduate programs	Program-specific tuition plus an international tuition fee	Students should use Dalhousie's official fee calculator or tuition schedule for the exact program
Graduate master's programs	Program-specific tuition plus the applicable international fee where required	Graduate fees can vary by faculty, program length and fee schedule
PhD programs	Check the Graduate Studies Calendar and 2026-27 fee schedule	Some international fee rules differ for doctoral students
Professional programs	Often higher than standard undergraduate tuition	Dentistry, medicine, law and other professional programs may have separate fee schedules
International health insurance	Dalhousie's 2026-27 international health plan information lists a mandatory single plan cost of CAD 926.59	Health, dental and student union fees can add to the total budget
Student fees and living costs	Additional fees, books, housing, food, transit and personal expenses apply	Halifax costs should be planned separately from tuition

Fee And Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Academic requirement	Completion of secondary school for undergraduate entry, with program-specific Grade 12 subjects and competitive averages
Minimum undergraduate average	Dalhousie lists minimum overall averages by program; many competitive programs require stronger marks
English requirement	Common minimums include IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90 with 20 in each band, or Duolingo 120
Application opening	Dalhousie states applications for September 2026 undergraduate admission open on October 15
Program restrictions	Some health technology and professional routes may have residency restrictions or supplemental requirements
Study permit planning	New international students should review Canadian study permit and Provincial Attestation Letter guidance
Scholarships	Dalhousie invests heavily in scholarships, bursaries and student employment, but eligibility and deadlines vary
CAS equivalent	Canada uses study permit documentation rather than the UK CAS system; students should follow Dalhousie and IRCC instructions

Application Snapshot

Study level	Application route
Undergraduate	Apply through Dalhousie's undergraduate application system and select the intended program
Graduate taught or professional master's	Apply through the program or Faculty of Graduate Studies route listed on the course page
Research degrees	Identify program requirements, supervisor expectations where relevant and graduate documentation
English pathway	Students who do not meet direct English requirements may review Dalhousie's approved English language pathway options

Students should prepare transcripts, grading-scale information, English test results where required, passport details, references or statements where the program asks for them, and financial documents for study permit planning.

Campus And Student Life

Dalhousie's Halifax campuses give students access to libraries, labs, residences, sports facilities, student services, student societies and the wider city. The Agricultural Campus in Truro is important for agriculture, food, animal science and environmental study.

Halifax is smaller than Canada's largest metros, but it has a strong student population and good access to waterfront, healthcare, public services, culture, restaurants and part-time work. This can make settling in easier for students who want a manageable city with a clear university community.

Who Should Consider Dalhousie University?

Dalhousie University can suit students who want:

• A September 2026 intake option in Canada
• A public research university with U15 membership
• Strong options in computer science, engineering, science, health, management, law, agriculture and marine-related subjects
• Co-op or work-integrated learning in selected programs
• A student city with lower pressure than Toronto or Vancouver
• Career support through myCareer, co-op teams and faculty career offices
• A diverse campus with students from more than 120 countries
• Access to Atlantic Canada's healthcare, public-sector, technology, ocean and service-sector employers

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising Dalhousie University, students should confirm:

• Whether the chosen course is open for September 2026
• Exact 2026-27 international tuition and additional fees
• Program-specific academic subjects and competitive average
• English language score requirement for the chosen program
• Scholarship and bursary deadlines
• Co-op, internship or work-integrated learning availability
• Residence and off-campus housing options in Halifax or Truro
• Canadian study permit and Provincial Attestation Letter requirements
• Part-time work rules attached to the study permit

Dalhousie University is popular with international students who want a Canadian research university, a broad subject choice and a student-friendly city on Canada's Atlantic coast.

Popular area	Why students choose Dalhousie
Research-intensive education	Dalhousie is part of Canada's U15 group and has a strong research profile across science, health, social science and professional fields
Computer science and technology	Students look at Dal for computer science, applied computing, data, software and co-op-linked experience
Engineering	Engineering students can explore civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical and related routes with work-integrated learning options
Health, medicine and dentistry	Dalhousie is a major health education and research university in Atlantic Canada
Marine, ocean and environmental study	Halifax's coastal setting and Dalhousie's research strengths make it attractive for ocean, sustainability and environmental interests
Management and commerce	The Rowe School of Business and Faculty of Management offer business, commerce, management and co-op or internship-linked routes
Law and public service	Schulich School of Law and Halifax's government/public-sector environment are useful for students interested in legal and policy pathways
Student city experience	Halifax offers a compact city environment with universities, hospitals, employers, culture and part-time work options

Key Highlights For International Students

• Canadian research university: Dalhousie combines recognised rankings with a wide academic portfolio.
• September 2026 planning: Undergraduate applications for September 2026 open on October 15, so students should prepare documents early.
• Strong subject breadth: Students can compare routes across STEM, health, management, law, agriculture, humanities and social sciences.
• Co-op and work-integrated learning: Selected programs include structured work terms or practical experience.
• Halifax advantage: The city gives students access to employers while remaining easier to navigate than larger Canadian metros.
• International community: Dalhousie has students from more than 120 countries and a dedicated International Centre.
• Career tools: Students can use myCareer, faculty career teams, co-op offices and employer events.
• Scholarship support: Dalhousie reports major annual investment in undergraduate scholarships, bursaries and student employment.