Nova Scotia’s Fundy tides rise and fall by as much as 16 metres daily, making them the highest in the world. The town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia experiences its own tidal effect every September, when more than 3,000 students from around the world come rushing into Acadia University, drawn by its reputation for academic excellence and its focus on providing a personalized education.

“Acadia is a fine university in all kinds of ways – it is palpable – you can feel the commitment to a high quality education and you see it by the awards to faculty and the success of our students and our alumni,” says Ray Ivany, Acadia’s 15th president and vice-chancellor. “Acadia’s commitment to academic rigour and excellence is obviously part of who we are, and part of being a top-tier university in Canada, and in the world.”

Acadia was built on the belief that everyone has a right to higher education, regardless of class, belief, gender, or race. In 1838, at a time when money was scarce, the community pulled together to create a special place for learning. Women knitted and sold mittens to raise funds and canvassed for materials; men felled trees and built the first academic halls – Acadia University was established. Acadia’s stylized “A” depicts crossed axes to remind us of the determination and pride that is the Acadia Spirit. That spirit has sparked many successes for Acadia.

The university has the distinction of being the only Canadian university inducted into the Smithsonian Institution for its pioneering use of technology in the classroom. Acadia professors continue to set the standard for innovative classroom instruction today. Acadia is also the only university to have placed first in all four categories (best overall, highest quality, most innovative, and leaders of tomorrow) in Maclean’s annual reputation survey. In the 18 years that Maclean’s has done this survey, Acadia has ranked as the most innovative undergraduate institution 15 times.

“Acadia’s combination of small, personalized classes and a rich computing environment provides special opportunities for Acadia students,” explains Tom Herman, Acadia’s vice-president, academic. “In particular, the lines between teaching and research become blurred and teachers spend as much time mentoring students in research as they do in standard classroom activities.”

More than 170 years after its founding, the world is witnessing the influence of this liberal arts university – one whose visionary approach to academic excellence is setting a new high-tide mark around the world.

Student Life

A well rounded university education means working hard, and playing hard.  There is a lot going on inside and outside the classroom on our campus.  Check out the links below to learn more about what it means to be an Acadia student.

• Acadia Students’ Union (ASU). We have over 50 different clubs on campus.  Can’t find one for you?  Create your own.  Click here to learn about clubs and much more.
• Career and Co-op Services.  Looking for work? Interested in Co-Op? Let us help you, click here.
• Entrepreneurship. Learn more about entrepreneurship programs, activities and supports that are available to you at Acadia, click here.

Vaughan Memorial Library

Located at the centre of campus, the Library provides many services and specialized collections, which support the teaching and research programs of the University. The library collection of over a million titles in all formats is complemented by numerous electronic services and databases.

Athletics and Recreation

We’re proud of Acadia’s strong varsity athletics program – it’s a tradition that dates back to 1875. Acadia holds more conference and national championships than any other university in Atlantic Canada and has the highest number of Academic All-Canadians for primarily undergraduate universities in the country. We are a member of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and Atlantic University Sport (AUS). When our varsity teams play, our fans gather to carry on Acadia’s Stand Up and Cheer tradition!

* Varsity Teams: 11
* Athletic Clubs: 15

Axemen:

• Basketball
• Football
• Hockey
• Soccer
• Swimming

Axewomen:

• Basketball
• Cross-country
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Volleyball

Athletic Facilities:

• Two gyms
• Olympic-sized ice surface
• 25-metre swimming pool
• Cardio centre
• Weight training room
• Racquetball and squash courts
• Campus store
• Stadium – featuring the same artificial turf used by the New England Patriots
• National standard, eight-lane, all-weather track
• Sports Hall of Fame
• Sports therapy clinic
• Snack shop
• Practice fields
• Tennis courts
• Walking and hiking trails
• Jogging paths.

Want to see and learn more about Acadia University? Take a Virtual Tour.

At Cape Breton University, graduate satisfaction leads the country as CBU graduates have ranked their overall educational experience, teaching and instruction as Number One in Canada (2006 Maclean’s University Graduate Satisfaction Survey).

Cape Breton University promises and delivers an exceptional educational experience for students. Our faculty, students and graduates are recognized nationally and internationally for innovative accomplishments from academic excellence to athletic prowess. These successes contribute to Cape Breton University’s growing reputation for excellence both in and out of the classroom.

Find out more about life at CBU using the menu on the left. And don’t forget our Frequently Asked Questions page, for information ranging from scholarships to class sizes.

With small class sizes, unique course offerings and programs and activities all year round; Cape Breton University is your home away from home.

Located on Canada’s stunning east coast, CBU makes its home on Cape Breton Island. Population of 110,000 residents, the municipality boasts the amenities of a city, with a welcoming atmosphere of a small town.

In small class sizes, you are more than just a number. Professors get to know their students and will refer to you by name. CBU is a community in itself. Being a small campus helps create a relaxing environment, a sense of belonging and a diverse population from over 50 countries.

With different courses and programs, an education from CBU can be tailored to your interests. From biology, ethnomusicology, engineering, marketing, nursing, education, CBU has a wide variety of degrees, certificates, diplomas, transfer programs and articulation agreements that will suit your education purposes.

We want your future to be all that it can be. If you are looking for a high-quality education and an exceptional life experience, join us at Cape Breton University.

History

CBU traces its roots to 1951 when the “St. Francis Xavier University Sydney Campus”, also referred to as “Xavier Junior College” (XJC), was opened in downtown Sydney as a satellite campus of St. Francis Xavier University. Growth during the 1950s saw several buildings opened on this site.

In 1968 the “Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology” (NSEIT) opened in 1968 on the Sydney-Glace Bay Highway, immediately east of Sydney. This institution focused on business technology and trades and its development was largely enabled by federal and provincial funding at a time when the coal and steel industries in Industrial Cape Breton were facing serious challenges.

In 1974, the first university college in Canada was established on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia through an amalgamation of the Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology and Xavier Junior College. The Xavier Junior College was affiliated previously with St Francis Xavier University. The University College of Cape Breton became a public degree-granting institution, and retained technical and vocational programs from the former Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology. Cape Breton University was established by the Cape Breton University Act.

Fast Facts

• 75% of Cape Breton students who attend university choose CBU
• Undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, business, science and technology
• Diplomas and certificates in wireless, petroleum, environmental studies, integrative science, cultural studies, education
• Nova Scotia based students comprise a significant portion of CBU enrollment (71% – CB; 6% – other NS; Total – 77%)
• Largest Mi’kmaq community in Nova Scotia
• Highest % of Aboriginal student enrollment of any institution in Atlantic Canada
• Research
  • Two Tier 1 & One Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs
    • Integrative Science
    • Intangible Cultural Heritage
    • Molecular Spectroscopy
  • Chair in Mine Water Management
  • Projects funded by all federal granting councils
  • CFI, NSRIT, AIF projects
• Academic & Research Building Infrastructure
  • Original structure built in 1960’s ( A,B,C)
  • 1976 – Campus Centre
  • 1997 – Campus Expansion ( $18 million)
  • 1998 – Tech Enterprise Centre ($3.5 million)
  • 759,000 sq ft of space ($200 million replacement cost)
  • Deferred maintenance backlog of $21 million
• Residence Infrastructure
  • 1990 – MacDonald Residence (146 beds dorm style)
  • 2000 – Cabot Residence (123 beds apartment style)
  • 2004 – Alumni Hall (190 beds – 120 apt. & 70 dorm)
• Endowment Fund has almost doubled in last few years enabling scholarship & bursary offerings of over $1 million.

Arts and Culture

Cape Breton University understands the importance of connecting students, faculty, staff and the community to Arts and Culture. Through five distinct areas, CBU gives you the opportunity to discover, explore and enrich your life through Arts and Culture in ways distinctive to CBU.

The university Art Gallery, which is open full-time, allows you to experience the work of aspiring local artists, as well as a collection of permanent artwork. The Beaton Institute gives you a glimpse into the past through persevered historical records related to the university and the Island. Take time to enjoy a theatrical or musical performance during the Boardmore Playhouse Seasons of Play. Browse through the CBU Press to discover rich cultural resources for Nova Scotia and, finally, visit our Centre for Cape Breton studies which offers many opportunities to reach into the community to explore its cultural heritage.

To begin discovering Arts and Culture through CBU, please click on one of the following links:

• Boardmore Playhouse
• Art Gallery
• Beaton Institute.

Recreation and Fitness

At CBU we know that physical fitness is important to your well being. Cape Breton University is dedicated to providing students with a variety of physically active choices. Throughout the year, students will be able to participate in:

• daily and nightly intramurals,
• the Shinerama Lob Ball Tournament,
• Yoga and Pilates classes,
• Super Bowl Flag Football
• …and so much more.

The benefits of regular physical activity range from stronger bones and toned muscles to better sleep, higher self-esteem and reduced stress.

Intramurals

The Intramural program promotes an environment of fun, fair play, and athletic competition, through the medium of physical activity.

The university offers a wide variety of Intramural activities on an individual, dual, and team basis which gives each individual an opportunity to choose the type of activity their most interested. It is our policy to offer all interested students an activity in which to participate.

Activities are in the form of either organized or Free Time events.

Organized activities include both team play and individual competition, while Free Time events allow students, faculty and staff use of the facilities for the activity of their choosing.

One of Canada’s leading universities, Dalhousie is widely recognized for outstanding academic quality and teaching, and a broad range of educational and research opportunities.

Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia since 1818, Dalhousie attracts students from around the world. We inspire students, faculty, staff, and graduates to make significant contributions to our region, Canada, and the world.

Clubs, Societies and Student Leadership

Dalhousie Student Union – The DSU is your student union and your voice on campus in the HRM and Nova Scotia. The DSU actively represent, support and assist the diverse interests of all Dalhousie students. The five executive are overseen by a council comprised of 33 voting members. The executive have each set goals to improve your Dal experience. For more information visit www.dsu.ca. You can also follow the DSU on Twitter.

Clubs and Societies – TigerSociety is your gateway to over 225 student clubs and societies! Browse the listings, find societies that suit your interests and read up on their activities and objectives. If there’s nothing that catches your eye, start your own!

Campus Events and Entertainment

The Grawood – Located in the Student Union Building, The Grawood is the DSU-run campus bar and restaurant. The Grawood regularly features live bands, trivia on Thursday night and free student society bookings on Friday nights. Check out the events calendar and see what’s on!

Athletics and Recreation

Varsity Sports – Dalhousie University is a member of the Atlantic University Sport conference with over 300 student-athletes, coaches and team staff representing the university in seven sports. A leader in gender equity, Dalhousie has both men’s and women’s teams in basketball, hockey, soccer, swimming, track and field/cross country and volleyball. If you are interested in trying out for a Dalhousie varsity team, visit the website and find out tryout times and locations for each of the Tiger squads.

Show your Spirit and Get in the Game! – Rather show your prowess as a fan? Dalhousie students are admitted free to all Tigers home events with presentation of your student ID at the gate. Check the website for scores, player profiles and more to stay up-to-date on all of your Tigers’ info and bring your friends to the game as there are always plenty of contests, great prizes to be won, licensed areas for students 19 and over, not to mention awesome sports action!

Club Sports – Dalhousie also offers students the opportunity to take part in 17 different sport clubs on campus. With clubs for baseball, badminton, cheerleading, curling, dance, fencing, lacrosse, judo, masters swim, rowing, rugby, sailing, scuba diving, squash, table tennis, tae kwon do, tennis, ultimate Frisbee and waterpolo, you are certain to find something that you are interested in. Click here for more information on Club Sports offered at Dalhousie.

Intramural Sports – Intramural sports are a great way to escape the stress and strain of daily academic commitments. They’re fun, free, and an excellent way to meet other students who share similar interests. Dal offers a number of intramural sports teams for you to choose from! Click here for more information on Intramural Sports.

Fitness and Recreation – The Dalplex is Dalhousie University’s fitness center. All full-time students have a membership to Dalplex included in their student fees and your DalCard acts as your access pass. Discounted membership rates are offered to part-time Dalhousie students and spouses and children of Dalhousie students. Check in at the Customer Service Centre at Dalplex for more information. Dalplex offers over 35 weekly fitness classes that are included in your membership. Pilates, yoga, swim lessons, climbing programs and first aid classes are just a few of the offerings at Dalplex. Browse through the student Sport, Recreation and Fitness Guide online at www.athletics.dal.ca/getinthegame.

Music, Arts and Theatre

Dalhousie Arts Centre – The Dalhousie Arts Centre is the venue for many music events and theatrical events. Box office and ticket information can be accessed through the Dalhousie Arts Centre website.

Music – Discover Dalhousie’s Department of Music! Become a professional in music, or combine your music studies with programs in science, theatre or information technology. Also, be sure to check out the event calendar for a variety of musical performance open to students and the public throughout the year.

Dalhousie Art Gallery – The Dalhousie Art Gallery is a public art gallery offering a balanced program of travelling and in-house curated exhibitions of both contemporary and historical artworks, and a related program of artists’ presentations, lectures, panel discussions, films and videos, and other special events.

Theatre – In the spirit of true collaboration, students from all five areas of study come together four times a year to present our DalTheatre productions. They have the opportunity to work alongside nationally and internationally known directors and designers to create professional calibre theatre. More information can be found on the Department of Theatre website.

Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities – Volunteering is an excellent way to gain valuable experience and enhance transferable skills. Connect with opportunities at Dal’s fall Volunteer Fair, or through a volunteer opportunity posting with the Career Services Centre. You’ll try new things, meet new people, and feel great contributing to a worthy cause.

Want to see and learn more about Dalhousie University? Take a Virtual Tour.

Nestled into a wooded hill, overlooking the Halifax Harbour, sits Mount Saint Vincent University. The Mount is a small university whose size belies its strength, offering a unique mix of undergraduate degrees in liberal arts and sciences and an array of professional programs including Applied Human Nutrition, Business Administration, Child and Youth Study, Education, Public Relations, and Tourism and Hospitality Management. Co-operative education is offered in three of these professional programs. In addition, 13 graduate programs build on and enhance undergraduate program strengths.

All of our programs are infused with a commitment to making a positive difference to society – locally and around the world. Over 4,000 women and men from across Canada and 60 countries take advantage of the Mount’s programs and unique sense of community through on-campus classes, or at a distance.

The Mount is nationally recognized for its small class sizes. Faculty members are invested in the success of each and every student, whom they quickly come to know by name. Lively group discussions, personalized attention, and small team projects enhance learning and create classes that are enriched by the background and experience of each student.

Teaching excellence is a hallmark of the Mount. Faculty members are not only the recipients of prestigious teaching awards, but students see the difference too. In a recent survey, 95 per cent said the quality of the teaching was high and that faculty was accessible outside of class time to help advance their learning.

With a focus on applied research, the Mount is leading studies that provide real solutions to some of the most significant challenges facing Nova Scotia, Canada and the world. In fact, the Mount ranks among the top undergraduate universities in Canada for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grants.

History

The history of the Mount is a story of humanity and growth. From its inception, the University has been concerned about the welfare and fortune of individuals and communities, at home and abroad. Established by the Sisters of Charity in 1873, the Mount was one of the only institutions of higher education for women in Canada. At a time when women could not vote, the Mount provided an opportunity for women to learn and participate equally in society.

The original purpose of the academy was to train novices and young sisters as teachers, but the Sisters also recognized a need to educate other young women and therefore opened the academy to young women who lived in the city of Halifax.

By 1912, the Sisters recognized a need to offer greater opportunity through university education. In keeping with their progressive thinking, they immediately adopted a plan to establish a college for young women. To ensure that the education provided by the future college would be of the highest quality, Mother Mary Berchmans Walsh sent a number of Sisters to earn doctoral degrees at institutions such as Notre Dame, the Sorbonne, Fordham, and the Catholic University of America.

In 1925, through the efforts of such people as Dr. Mary Evaristus Moran, S.C., the Nova Scotia Legislature passed a bill granting a charter to Mount Saint Vincent College empowering it to grant its own degrees. With that, Mount Saint Vincent College became the only independent women’s college in the British Commonwealth. It offered degrees in Education, Nursing and Arts.

Student Residence

Living in residence will add a whole new dimension to your university years. Apart from the convenience of living close to all campus resources – e.g. computer room, language labs, science labs, library, games room, gym — you also have the opportunity to become more involved in campus life. Investigate the possibilities, take advantage of the residence leadership opportunities, and make the most of your university experience.

The Mount offers three different types of on-campus housing for you to choose from.

From the traditional dorm style single and double rooms of Assisi, to the townhouse option of the Birches, to the premium single style and apartment style accommodations of Westwood.

There’s something to suit every personality, allowing you to become independent at your own pace.  Which residence is for you?

Art and Culture

Through its exhibitions and programs, the MSVU Art Gallery functions as a visual arts resource for Mount Saint Vincent University, communities served by the University, Metro Halifax residents and art publics everywhere. Admission is always free of charge.

MSVU Art Gallery reflects the University’s educational aims by devoting a significant part of its activities to the representation of women as cultural subjects and producers. This program focus is balanced with exhibitions on themes in visual culture which are relevant to university academic programs and/or constituencies served by MSVU Art Gallery. Artists and artisans from the Atlantic region are represented, often in the early stages of their careers. The Gallery’s exhibitions and programs are funded in part by Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture, and Heritage, and by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Athletics and Recreation

Mount Saint Vincent University recognizes the importance of staying active. We are committed to providing students and community members with the fitness and recreational programs they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our facility provides everything from fitness classes and intramural sports to special programs for children in our community. The University also has many Varsity sports teams awaiting you. In this section you will be able to find information on all of these things, and much more.

Our varsity teams are making a name for themselves as some of the best in the region and the country. The Mount Varsity Program is a member of the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association (ACAA) and the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA). Our Athletes compete at a national level in Women’s & Men’s Soccer, Women’s & Men’s Basketball, and Women’s Volleyball.

Want to see and learn more about Mount Saint Vincent University? Take a Virtual Tour.

NSAC is a small, vibrant university where students participate and learn applied life sciences and related fields.

With 800 students, we have one of the lowest student-professor ratios around—yet we rank near the top of all Canadian Universities in research intensity. We offer an internationally respected education in agriculture and the life sciences, including diploma programs, undergraduate and post-graduate degrees—and we manage to do it with one of the lowest tuition fees in the province.

NSAC is located just outside the Town of Truro, in the the village of Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. We’re one hour from Halifax by car and only 40 minutes from the Halifax International Airport. NSAC is about one day’s car ride from Boston or Montreal.

History

Founded in 1905, The Nova Scotia Agricultural College has come of age and stands at the threshold of a new era in agricultural education, training and research. As a university, the NSAC provides agricultural based Technical, Technology, Bachelor and Masters level programs in its capacity as the Atlantic institution with the mandate for post-secondary education in agriculture. Situated on 265 hectares of fertile intervale along the Salmon River in Bible Hill, the NSAC’s facilities have expanded rapidly in recent years. Improvements to the farm complex and research facilities now make it one of the most modern, best equipped universities in the Atlantic region.

The story of the NSAC is interwoven with the history and development of the agriculture industry of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Provinces. The institution also figures prominently in the history of the Truro and Bible Hill area. A summary of the the History of the NSAC based on historical research conducted by Dale Ells, Dean Emeritus is presented. For a more complete history of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, one is advised to read Shaped Through Service, a 279 page illustrated history of NSAC. Copies are available at the NSAC Bookstore or from the author.

Student Residence

There’s no better way for your child to get connected than by living in one of our three residences located on campus. Trueman, Fraser and Chapman house all offer co-ed living with the option of same sex sections. These three houses are conveniently located within a few minutes walk of classes, labs, the library, the farm and our athletic centre. Residence is a great place to meet new friends while developing a good study routine.

Each residence includes high speed internet, telephone and cable hook-ups for your son or daughter’s convenience. Laundry facilities are available in the basement of each house and is included in the residence fees. All three residences offers a lounge where students can hang out to take a break from studying, kick back, watch some television, or play some pool with friends.

Each house has a Don of Residence, an adult staff member, who lives in an apartment in the residence. The Don is responsible for the supervision of student staff and the quality of student life in the residence. The student staff consists of six Residence Assistants (RA’s) per house. The RA’s are fellow students who are trained to advise and assist residence dwellers. The RA’s aim to promote mutual respect among residence students to obtain the maximum enjoyment and benefit from university life.

There’s no better way for your child to get connected than by living in one of our three residences located on campus. Trueman, Fraser and Chapman house all offer co-ed living with the option of same sex sections. These three houses are conveniently located within a few minutes walk of classes, labs, the library, the farm and our athletic centre. Residence is a great place to meet new friends while developing a good study routine.

Each residence includes high speed internet, telephone and cable hook-ups for your son or daughter’s convenience. Laundry facilities are available in the basement of each house and is included in the residence fees. All three residences offers a lounge where students can hang out to take a break from studying, kick back, watch some television, or play some pool with friends.

Each house has a Don of Residence, an adult staff member, who lives in an apartment in the residence. The Don is responsible for the supervision of student staff and the quality of student life in the residence. The student staff consists of six Residence Assistants (RA’s) per house. The RA’s are fellow students who are trained to advise and assist residence dwellers. The RA’s aim to promote mutual respect among residence students to obtain the maximum enjoyment and benefit from university life.

When applying to residence, if students know which house they want to live in, they have the opportunity to request that house on their application form. If they have a friend who is also planning on living in residence and they want to live together, that request can be made too. We want to your son or daughter’s university experience to be as comfortable and memorable as possible. Students can also suggest to stay in a room in our quiet section, which we have in each one of our houses.

Athletics

Academic excellence and athletic skills go hand in hand at NSAC. Here you can study for a challenging career while taking part in a full range of intramural, varsity, and recreational sports. The NSAC Rams have won regional and national honours in a variety of sports.

Their varsity and club sports consist of Basketball, Club Equestrain, Cross Country, Golf, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball, and Woodsmen. NSAC also has the following intramural activities: Water Polo, Co-ed Slo-Pitch Tournament, Tidal Rafting, Tae Kwon Do, Belly Dancing, Curling, Intramural Hockey, “Rec Nite”, Intramural Co-ed Soccer Challenge, Ultimate Challenge – Football with a Frisbee, Racquetball, Squash Ladder, Yoga, and Table Tennis Club.

Want to see and learn more about Nova Scotia Agricultural College? Take a Virtual Tour.

One of Canada’s oldest independent cultural institutions, NSCAD University continues to be regarded as a principal center for education and research in visual culture in North America. Part of our appeal is the ever-present relationship of the old to the new, and our convenient location in the heart of downtown Halifax’s waterfront district.

Behind the Victorian facades of our main campus and the Academy Building – both open 24 hours a day, seven days a week – students create some of the most cutting-edge images and objects being made anywhere on the continent.

After an experimental foundation year, students gradually focus in order to become specialists in some aspect of art, craft, design or historical and critical studies. They are educated to think critically, to balance academic issues with practical concerns in the studio, and to explore how the visual arts give meaning to both individual and community life.

NSCAD University fosters close creative relationships among artists, designers, academics and the public, and takes on leadership responsibilities in the regional, national and international art communities.

Our graduates go on to join the ranks of the most interesting and successful artists of their generations. As the university embraces the new century, it is building on the strengths of its history, maintaining and intensifying traditional arts and crafts while capitalizing on the many new technologies shaping the world and human interaction. A significant expansion currently underway will soon make NSCAD Canada’s largest centre for graduate programs in the visual arts.

We believe the next phase of modernity in the visual arts has begun, and it is our full intention to play a role in its formation. Things are happening behind those Victorian facades.

History

NSCAD University is wrapped in history – the distinctive stone, iron, concrete and brick facades of our Granville Campus are a daily reminder that we are one of Canada’s oldest independent cultural institutions.

Now well over a century old, NSCAD was once a twinkle in the eye of Oscar Wilde, who advocated art education during a well-publicized lecture tour that brought him to Halifax in 1882. But NSCAD owes its existence to another dynamic international personality, British teacher Anna Leonowens, who is best known for her years as a tutor for the King of Siam, immortalized in numerous stage and film productions of The King and I.

After her adventures in Asia, Leonowens relocated to Halifax and turned her energies toward establishing visual and literary culture in her adopted city, a former military base where the fine arts were virtually nonexistent in the latter half of the 19th century. In 1887, Leonowens and a committee of fellow citizens founded the Victoria School of Art and Design, commemorating Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee with an artistic enterprise that would have a lasting impact on the city’s cultural, industrial and educational life.

The school offered instruction in the fine and industrial arts, art education training to public school teachers, and Saturday morning children’s art classes, a tradition that continues today. The first classes were held in the Union Bank building at the corner of Hollis and Prince Streets and in 1890, the school rented three rooms in the Halifax Academy. It moved again in 1903 to the Old National School (now the Five Fishermen restaurant) near Grand Parade Square, where it remained for 54 years.

NSCAD boasts a long list of impressive school principals and presidents, including Arthur Lismer, member of the influential Group of Seven painting movement. During his 1916 to 1919 tenure, his artist friends from Toronto traveled east to offer lectures and demonstrations, and the school hosted exhibitions featuring the best in contemporary Canadian and British art. In 1925 under the direction of the school‘s first female principal, Elizabeth Styring Nutt, it was renamed the Nova Scotia College of Art and incorporated by Provincial charter. By 1957, post-war growth prompted the college’s next move, to a large four-storey church hall on Coburg Road near Dalhousie University, which saw a six-story expansion for studios and galleries in 1968.

Campuses

NSCAD occupies three unique campuses in downtown Halifax: 200,000 square feet of heritage space on two sites in the heart of downtown Halifax, and 70,000 square feet at our new waterfront Port Campus.

The Granville Campus

Our Granville campus is housed in the Historic Properties district, adjacent to the scenic boardwalks of Halifax Harbour. The Victorian terrace-style campus – the only one of its kind in North America – is an interconnected row of 23 former merchant shops and warehouses bounded by Hollis and Duke Streets and the cobblestone Granville pedestrian terrace. Full of character and many mysterious nooks and stairwells, the interiors are open, rugged and hospitable, and have adapted well to varied needs.

The Academy Building

In 2003, NSCAD added another historic gem to its campus: the Academy Building at 1649 Brunswick St., a short walk from the main campus. Built in 1878, the former high school houses Canada’s first degree-granting film school east of Montreal. The building occupies 25,000 square feet and features distinctive dormer windows and granite accents. Studios at the main campus and the Academy are accessible to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Port Campus

Anchoring the new arts and culture district, the Port Campus is a successful brown-field development that incorporates most of the original warehouse structure while housing safe and efficient teaching spaces. Students, artists and the community at large are benefitting from the experience and precision of this modern industrial setting.

Arts and Culture

Anna Leonowens Gallery

Named after NSCAD’s Victorian founder—feisty heroine of film and theatre productions of The King and I—the Anna Leonowens Gallery is the public exhibition space and resource centre on campus. Three public galleries are devoted to the exhibition of contemporary studio and media art, craft and design, and curatorial projects generated exclusively within the university community. Weekly exhibitions primarily feature student work, with occasional shows by faculty members, visiting artists and curators, and two-week graduate thesis projects.

The gallery mounts 125 exhibitions per year on average, consistently attracting more than 20,000 visitors annually with a busy street-level location on a pedestrian mall in Halifax’s downtown core. Due to the gallery’s high profile, many exhibitions are reviewed by local, regional and national media outlets and arts journalists.

Port Loggia Gallery

In conjunction with the Anna Leonowens Gallery programming, we are pleased to announce the activation of Port Loggia Gallery, a dynamic new exhibition space located at NSCAD University’s Port Campus.

The Port Loggia aims to maintain an engaging program of student, staff and alumni led projects that can be viewed by visitors passing through the Halifax SeaPort. Vaulted ceilings, diffuse natural light, and a high-profile location make The Port Loggia Gallery an ideal presentation space for works in a variety of media.

Want to see and learn more about NSCAD University? Take a Virtual Tour.

Founded in 1802, Saint Mary’s University (SMU) is one of Canada’s oldest and leading institutions of higher learning. From its inception as a Catholic, undergraduate liberal arts institution for young men, it has evolved into a vibrant, multi-faceted post-secondary institution with more than 8,500 full and part-time students from over 90 countries around the world.

The University offers a broad range of both undergraduate and graduate programs, including forensic science, applied science, applied psychology, astronomy, environmental studies, Irish studies, Atlantic Canada studies, business administration, criminology, history, international development studies, philosophy, Asian studies and women’s studies. A number of programs provide a co-operative education option, allowing students to mix classroom experience with real world skills. The Sobey School of Business, one of Canada’s leading business schools, offers a PhD program in Management, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), a Bachelor of Commerce, and a wide range of professional programs.

Arts & Science

Saint Mary’s is also home to the largest Faculty of Arts in Atlantic Canada in addition to a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research in areas such as green chemistry. The University’s top-tier research equipment includes a computerized chemistry laboratory, the only observatory in the region, and the region’s only Environmental Science and Ecosystem Remediation Centre. Our flagship science program, the PhD in Computational Astrophysics, is also the only one of its kind in Canada.

One of Canada’s most international campuses, Saint Mary’s boasts more than 1,000 international students and has forged more than 40 international partnership agreements.

Global Focus

One of Saint Mary’s most distinguishing characteristics, however, is its global focus. In keeping with its vision – to be the University of Choice for aspiring citizens of the world – Saint Mary’s is expanding its global reach at an unprecedented rate. One of Canada’s most international campuses, Saint Mary’s boasts more than 1,000 international students and has forged more than 40 international partnership agreements. In the past two years alone, agreements have been signed with 15 international partners in the Netherlands, Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, South Korea and Sweden. At the same time, the University continues to support global learning opportunities for students vis a vis international field trips. Recent examples (2007) include field trips to the Czech Republic and Germany, a biology field course in Belize, and the Northern Ireland Conflict Resolution Project.

The University is home to the CN Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Public Affairs (CCEPA), the Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Network, the Centre for the Study of Sport and Community Health, and the Centre for Leadership Excellence. In June 2005, it also launched Canada’s first academic-based centre for work and spirituality, the Centre for Spirituality and the Workplace.

Accessibility

Saint Mary’s is an undisputed global pioneer in making education accessible to all students. Special programs are available through the Atlantic Centre of Research, Access, and Support for Students with Disabilities, including the Liberated Learning Project, a $1.2-million project that utilizes voice-activated computer technology to deliver classroom lectures.

Buildings

The $18-million Sobey Building is a state-of-the-art facility that rivals the best instructional facilities in North America. The University is also now nearing completion of a three-year $25.5 million Science Building renovation and renewal project which includes the modernization of 71,500 square feet of research space in addition to the construction of 22,500 square feet of premium teaching space.

Residence

A $25-million residence renovations project has provided students with high quality, community-centred residence life with all of the 21st century conveniences. Every student living in residence can now access the Internet and connect to Saint Mary’s online courses and the extensive Patrick Power Library resources. More than 1,000 Internet access ports and wireless hot spots are located throughout the Sobey Building, Loyola Academic Complex, labs, offices, classrooms and student lounges throughout the campus.

Athletics

The Huskies’ varsity sports teams have a history of excellence in university athletic competition, winning more than 50 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) and six Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championships, including the coveted Vanier Cup in 2001 and 2002. The football Huskies are currently poised for another Vanier Cup win as they make their way to the national championship in Toronto on November 23, 2007.

Outside of class and studies, students remain active in a number of organizations on campus, such as the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA), The Journal Newspaper and the International Student Group.

Links

• Take a tour of the SMU campus
• Student Association
• City of Halifax

St. Francis Xavier University offers what so many of Canada’s top students are seeking: a high quality education, focused principally on the undergraduate, in a vibrant residential setting. Recognized as one of the finest schools in Canada, StFX is meeting the needs of today’s undergraduates through outstanding teaching, exceptional hands-on research experiences, the very best in a residential community, and unique opportunities to make a contribution to communities at home and abroad. This is the StFX way.

It all starts here with Canada’s Premier Undergraduate Experience:

• Highest Student Satisfaction in Canada;95% of students said they would choose to return to StFX; 96% rated their overall educational experience a positive one; 97% reported that professors are accessible outside the classroom (Maclean’s, February 2009)
• Ranked number one in Canada no fewer than 5 times by Maclean’s
• Received A ratings in Globe and Mail annual University Report Card for student satisfaction, quality of education and student/faculty interaction (2008 and 2009)
• Highest Student Engagement in Canada (set national record in 2009 for student voter turnout – 60.4%)
• Approx. 90% full-time faculty, which means unparalleled access to faculty from day one to graduation
• Home to seven Canada Research Chairs
• Over $175 million in infrastructure investment since 1996.

History

In the long history of StFX, a lot has changed—but the important things, the things that make us who we are, have stayed the same. During the first half of the 19th century, close to a million famers, labourers and tradesmen came from the British Isles to the shores of Nova Scotia to seek a better life, joining the Acadians and Aboriginal peoples already settled there. StFX was born to serve this mixed bag of people who had ambition and little else. StFX offered the only university-level education in the region at that time and, partnered with the Roman Catholic diocese, maintained strict academic standards in order to give those who wanted it the best education possible.

Over the course of the following decades StFX flourished, expanding its curriculum and bringing the mission of service across Canada and abroad. You might say the school was finding its identity. In the 1930s, that identity was solidified with The Antigonish Movement—a program whose mandate aligned perfectly with StFX’s original principles of community outreach and service to society. In 1959, the Coady International Institute was formed, allowing those principles to be taken to all corners of the globe.

StFX has since grown into a renowned institution that works hard to maintain the qualities it was founded on. We’ve seen numerous changes—changes in faculty, changes in the student body, changes in our academic programs. But, while most of Canada’s smaller universities have either abandoned their roots or consolidated into larger institutions, we’ve vigorously maintained our autonomy, guarded our character, and upheld the same traditions of freedom and service that inspired the men and women stepping onto the eastern Nova Scotian shores a century and a half ago. At StFX, we’re excited about where we’re headed. But we also like to remember where we came from.

Athletics

Championships. CIS medals. A Gold with Team Canada. StFX’s proud athletic tradition continues to impress.

Top athletes and coaches are drawn to StFX because of our reputation for athletic, as well as academic excellence. Both the X-Men and X-Women varsity teams are consistently among the Canada’s best. StFX has varsity teams for the following sports: Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Rugby, Cross Country, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

Aside from varsity athletics, there are many intramural and recreational activities available at StFX. Our Fitness and Recreational Services program provides opportunities for recreation, education, and cultural and social interaction.

Living in Residence

Your residential experience at StFX will be unforgettable. That’s why a higher proportion of our students live in residence than anywhere else in the country. High-quality, comfortable living quarters, great food, and great friends.

At StFX, it’s all about customizing your experience—including asking you what type of residence experience you think you’d prefer. You answer that question when you apply, after which we match you to the residence house best suited to you among the following:

Bishops Hall — underwent extensive renovations in 2007, providing students with a high-quality, fully accessible living experience complete with new furniture, modern lounges, big screen TVs and amenities.

Cameron Hall & MacKinnon Hall — Cameron and MacKinnon, the close-knit houses in the older stone residences along lower campus’s tree-lined avenue, are close to Morrison Dining Hall, the library and chapel. Cameron and MacKinnon, the twin limestones, have been beloved residences on campus for generations.

Mount Saint Bernard — MSB provides a variety of residence experiences. The MSB has mail service, as well as a games room and small gymnasium. MSB is linked to academic space and a small food service café.

Lane Hall — Lane Hall, another popular option with first and second year students, is close to classrooms, the library and the Students’ Union.

MacIsaac Hall — This newly-renovated five-storey building is popular with first and second year students, and close to the Students’ Union and athletic facilities. It has the largest double rooms on campus.

Governors Hall — StFX’s newest residence is a popular choice for upper-year students with single and shared suite style rooms, stunning lounges, and full-service kitchens.

Apartment-style — These modern apartment-style residences have been popular with upper-year students, offering the best of both independent and campus living.

Arts and Culture

StFX’s thriving, eclectic arts and culture scene has always been one of its most appealing features. There’s truly something for everyone, which is why our students can be constantly found enjoying StFX’s and Antigonish’s creative side. Here are just a few examples of all the great things to do in and around campus:

• The StFX Art Gallery, established in 1976 to provide a new cultural dimension for Antigonish, its surrounding regions and the university
• Theatre Antigonish, a non-profit community theatre under the supervision of professional staff and based in the Bauer Theatre building on the StFX campus
• Festival Antigonish, the perfect passport to summer entertainment
• The Antigonish Performing Arts Series, which brings an extensive list of world-renowned touring artists to Antigonish
• The Great Blue Heron Writing Workshop, an annual summer on-campus workshop through which mid-level writers are invited to participate in one of four genres: fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and creative non-fiction
• The Antigonish Review, a well-respected literary journal publishing poetry and prose by emerging and established writers.

The sound of music, the rhythm of dance, the rush of live theatre, the beauty of photography, the vigour of political debate—you name it, it’s going on here. The campus is alive with something for every artistic taste.

Want to see and learn more about St. Francis Xavier University? Take a Virtual Tour.

Université Sainte-Anne programs in business administration, education, humanities, pure sciences, as well as many other professional programs, preparing students to enter the workforce with practical and theoretical knowledge that will help them succeed. Moreover, the ratio of students to teachers allowing them to pay greater attention to students that promotes a climate of personal and rewarding study.

The purpose of the Université Sainte-Anne is to meet the needs of Francophone and Francophile, whether newly graduated students of secondary schools or adult learners in the process of career change or further training. Similarly, the institution provides specialized training for companies or industries according to their needs.

Université Sainte-Anne strives for excellence in the intellectual, professional and personal of the student, as well as its research and outreach. Université Sainte-Anne also plays an important role in socioeconomic development of Acadian society in Nova Scotia.

Université Sainte-Anne provides instruction through five campuses in Halifax, Petit de Great, Pointe de l’Eglise, Saint-Joseph du Moine and Tusket (Nova Scotia). Its main campus is located at Pointe de l’Eglise.

Campus Life

We are known for our warmth and our moderate pace of life in harmony with nature. Studying at the University Sainte-Anne is a little endearing adopt this culture to live a fascinating experience.

The main campus, located near the sea, like most other campuses, provides a living environment healthier. When it comes to enjoying natural attractions areas, sports facilities of choice or exciting cultural entertainment, nobody can find the time long in the Université Sainte-Anne.

Université Sainte-Anne, your environment, as evidenced by:

• Life in the ten homes, each with its style, its traditions and its own personality, in order to offer a lifestyle intimate and warm;
• vibrant friendly instructors residence;
• the many socio-cultural activities that contribute to your intellectual and social development;
• the many sports activities to promote your well-being and personal development;
• diversity of cultures, languages and accents represented on campus;
• spirits, vivacity and enthusiasm of current students and staff;
• respect and encouragement of your passions.

Arts and Culture

The Gallery Father Léger Comeau is located behind the reception of the Université Sainte-Anne, in the building Bernardin Comeau Gallery Father Léger Comeau hosts monthly exhibitions of amateur artists and professionals. Several exhibitions are presented by the Arts Council of the Bay.

The Salle Marc-Lescarbot is a 263-seat theater where performances are held in music, dance, plays and other presentations of amateur or professional.

The University of King’s College, Canada’s oldest chartered university, is a small but extraordinarily lively academic community located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The College is known nationally and internationally for its interdisciplinary programmes in the humanities and journalism.

History

While other universities were under discussion at the time, the University of King’s College, founded in Windsor, NS, in 1789, was the first university to be established in English Canada. The College was the first to accept and graduate students, to receive a charter, and is the oldest English-speaking Commonwealth university outside the United Kingdom.

But before the King’s College of Windsor came to be, there had already been one King’s College in the New World. Founded by King George II in New York in 1756, the school’s short life ended with the American Revolution, and the old King’s was later reorganized as Columbia University.

Anglican Loyalists who moved to Nova Scotia in the wake of the Revolution, some of whom who had strong connections with the old King’s, founded the University of King’s College in Windsor. The College then received its Royal Charter from King George III in 1802, and remained in Windsor until 1920. That year, a fire ravaged King’s, burning its main building to the ground, raising the question of how or if the College was to survive.

King’s was determined to carry on, and so accepted the terms of a generous grant from the Carnegie Foundation of New York to rebuild not in Windsor but in Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia, entering into association with Dalhousie University. Under this agreement, King’s agreed to pay the salaries of a number of Dalhousie professors, who in turn would help in the management and academic life of the College. Students at King’s would also study at Dalhousie and have access to all of the amenities of the larger school, and the academic programs at King’s (except for Divinity) would fold into the College of Arts and Sciences at Dalhousie.

Athletics

The King’s gym offers one of the best free-floating hardwood surfaces in Nova Scotia, ideal for varsity athletics, intramural sports and student free-time use. With the College’s expanded facilities and access to Dalplex, King’s students can also enjoy excellent exposure to top-notch fitness and recreational activities.

For the varsity athlete, King’s offers an opportunity to combine the pursuit of academic excellence with an equal commitment to excelling in sport. The varsity sports currently at the University of Kings’s College include: rugby, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and badminton.

For those who are passionate about sport, but favour camaraderie over competition, King’s has an active intramural program.

The College’s intramural program is available to all students, and is complemented by our agreement with Dalhousie’s Department of Athletics & Recreation. At King’s, we offer basketball, indoor soccer and badminton, and Dalhousie provides soccer (astro-turf), flag football, ultimate frisbee, softball, beach volleyball, inner-tube water polo, tennis and ball hockey.

Kings Amateur Athletic Association (KAAA, aka CUBE) is one of the College’s oldest societies. Open to all students of all skill levels, CUBE encourages a healthy lifestyle, companionship and fun over competition and winning. Taking place every Tuesday and Thursday night in the King’s gymnasium, students of all years can participate in the nightly activity. Tuesday night soccer is a sure thing, and has attracted crowds for many years, while Thursday sees a rotation of sports from basketball and floor hockey to a few wild dodgeball nights.

Student Housing

King’s is able to provide residence accommodation for 274 students. Residence is open throughout the academic year (September to April), except during the December holiday period. Three residence environments are available: co-ed, all male and all female, with each accounting for approximately one third of our residence space.

Our residence accommodations are largely double rooms, which the majority of our students tend to prefer. A limited number of single rooms are available, generally reserved for upper-year students. First year students are not offered single rooms, except on medical grounds, with appropriate documentation.

All students living in residence have access to Prince Hall for dining services and can choose between three different plans (some restrictions apply). Students also have access to common kitchens, TV lounges, computer labs, and on-campus fitness facilities.

Student Life

Despite our intense academic focus, tired mornings at King’s aren’t just a result of late nights deep in one of the Great Books. The College is committed to blending the intellectual and social and so the King’s experience continues long after your last class or tutorial.

The various academic programmes regularly host evening lectures and seminars, events that complement current students’ curriculum, as well as encourage alumni—and the general public—to engage in fascinating and often timely topics. Lectures are frequently paired with receptions on campus, tradition-rich get-togethers that are lubricated with sips of wine (or sherry), nibbles of cheese and conversations with your peers and professors alike.

The King’s Theatrical Society keeps the Pit alive over the academic year, presenting an ample season of productions that place our talented students—from actors to producers to directors—centre stage. Students also pour their fair share of life into the Wardroom, our campus bar, with everything from Microbrewery Mondays to Retro Nights to Sunday evening Study Snacks.

In residence, the longstanding tradition of Bay Parties is still going strong, and another event with history, Formal Meal, brings current students together in Prince Hall every month for a meal enriched with Latin graces, academic gowns and special guests.

Keep your finger on the campus pulse by checking the Life on Campus event listings.

Want to see and learn more about the University of King’s College? Take a Virtual Tour.