St. Mary’s University located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Caada is a renowned University known for teaching and research. It currently serves around 7,000 students. Around 29% of the students are international hailing from 115 countries. The average class size comprises of 40 students. 

he university offers undergraduate and graduate academic courses in major disciplines like business, liberal arts, science and engineering, environmental studies. St. Mary’s University offers 26 masters and Ph.D programs and is home to 9 research chairs. All courses offered by the University are internationally accredited and recognised. The programs offered by the Sobey School of Business spanning from B.Com to Ph.D have recieved AACSB accreditation. The school also offers several cutting edge acaemic programs such as Master of Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation, M.Sc. in Computing & Data Analytics. It is also the only Canadian University that offers B.A in Entrepreneurship. 

International students applying to St. Mary’s University must meet the language requirements and admission requirements specific to their country. Students can apply online via the application portal available on the University page. Undergraduate students must pay a fee of 40 CAD and Graduate Candidate are required to pay 110 CAD. The University will process the application within 2-3 weeks after deadline.

The University has partnerships with 40 institutions in 25 countries and offers exchange programs and learning opportunities in countries like China, Ireland, UK and so on.

  • The university accepts admission for international applicants for Fall and Winter session.
  • International students must apply online at apply.stmu.ca. and are considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • The university recommends international applicants should begin admission process including visa application at least 3 months prior to the admission.
  • International students are not eligible for the Humanities 101 course.

Highlights

Application Portal Online Portal
Application Fee 275 CAD
Cost of Attendance 15,450 CAD
Minimum TOEFL PBT- 550, CBT-213, IBT-80
Minimum IELTS 6.0
Mode of Payment Credit/Master Card/VISA/Discovery
Academic Calendar Semester-based
Intake Sessions Fall/Winter
Financial Aid Scholarships, awards, work-study

St. Mary’s University Admission Deadlines

The application deadlines for international applicants are different from Canadian applicants. International applicants are suggested to apply three months prior to deadlines. However, the application deadlines are given below:

Terms/Semester Deadlines
Fall June 1
Winter October 31

St. Mary’s University Undergraduate Admission

St. Mary’s University offers undergraduate degrees in 35 academic disciplines that consist of 8 B.A. degrees, 1 B.Sc. and 1 post-bachelor B.Ed. degree. The general admission requirements for all the courses are the same. However, international applicants have to meet a few additional requirements. Also, they have to carefully consider their visa process and study permit in Canada.

Where to Apply: Apply Alberta Application Portal

Admission Fee: $275 (Cdn)

Admission Requirements: International undergraduate applicants should take care of the following things for admission-

  • Submit original transcripts and/or documentation from previously attended educational institutions.
  • Documents that are not in English must be translated into English from a qualified translator.
  • An assessment of the records/documents completed by the International Qualification Assessment Service (IQAS), which compares the international educational standard in Canada must be provided.
  • Assessment Services are available in the following address:

International Qualification Assessment Service (IQAS)

9th Floor, 9942 – 108 Street

Edmonton, AB, Canada, T5K 2J5

Phone: (780) 427-2655

Fax: (780) 422-9734

Alberta.ca/iqas

  • All the applicants must provide English language proficiency test scores.
  • Candidates must obtain a study permit in Canada.
  • Candidates must demonstrate their financial eligibility to study in Canada.
  • International candidates are also advised to subscribe to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) soon after their arrival in Canada.

Transfer Students Requirements

Transfer students must-

  • Submit official transcripts from their original institutions if it is not a member of Apply Alberta
  • Obtain a grade C or above
  • Should work towards earning a degree at St. Mary’s University.

Country Specific Requirements 

International Students from the following countries applying to St. Mary’s University must meet the specified requirements: 

Country 

Admission Requirements

India

Higher Secondary School Certificates awarded STANDARD XII - with grades of A, B or C

Test of English language proficiency: May be required

Bangladesh

Higher Secondary Certificate /Intermediate Certificate - with grades of A, B and C

Polytechnic diplomas - with grades of A, B and C

Test of English language proficiency: May be required

Pakistan

Higher Secondary School Certificate/ Intermediate Certificate

Minimum of 60% average and no individual result below 50% in the five required courses for the program of choice

English Language Proficiency Test Scores

All the applicants irrespective of their country or citizenship must demonstrate English language proficiency scores in order to seek admission to St. Mary’s University. The minimum required scores are given below-

English Language Tests B.A./B.Sc. and Transfer Programs
TOEFL IBT 80 with no component score below 19
TOEFL PBT 550 with no component score below 50
TOEFL CBT 213 with no component score below 17
IELTS Academic 6.0
MELAB 85
PTE 59
CLB Level 8

Other English Language Proofs

  • Applicants who have studied for 3 full years in Canada must present 65% in English 30-1 or approved equivalent exams. The 3 years must include Alberta Grade 12 or equivalent or combine the secondary and post-secondary education. This proof of 3 years education must be submitted in official transcripts.
  • Applicants who have studied in Canada for less than 3 full years must present 65 % in English 30-1 or equivalent and a minimum TOEFL CBT score of 213/ iBT score of 80. Applicants who achieve 65% or greater in English 30-1 or approved equivalent exams may be exempt from the TOEFL requirements.
  • International applicants who have resided in Canada but do not meet any of these criteria may take an English assessment test. If the assessment indicates the need to take English upgrading, then English 30-1 must be completed with at least a 65 % before applying to St. Mary’s University.

Visa Requirements for International Applicants

Study Permit in Canada

To obtain student permit to study in Canada students must-

  • Apply to St. Mary’s University and obtain a letter of acceptance
  • Have a valid passport
  • Submit a completed application along with the requested fees to the Canadian Embassy or Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in their countries.

Students have to give proof of the following documents:

  • Sufficient amount to finance tuition fees and other living expenses.
  • Return transportation
  • Law-abiding and have no record of a criminal offense before. Students may be required to submit a Police Clearance Certificate.
  • Students must not pose a threat to the security of Canada
  • Complete a medical examination, if necessary

Temporary Visa Permit: The requirements for a temporary residence visa are as follows:

  • Valid passport
  • Specified application fee (billed in CND)
  • The offer of admission received from Lakehead University.
  • Evidence of sufficient funds
  • Medical exam

Once the applicant has applied, the university will go through the transcripts. If the applicant meets academic requirements, they are offered with conditional or full admission. After receiving the admissions applicants are required to submit a fee of 200 CAD for registering with the university. Conditional admissions are offered to applicants who are still in high school. International applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

St. Mary’s University Graduate Admission

Application fee - CAD 110

Graduate students must submit the following documents while applying for admission to Graduate Programs - 

  • Online Application form

  • Supplemental Application form(if required by the program)

  • Transcripts

  • Proof of English Language Proficiency

  • Any other additional documentation as requested by the University

Note: When requested official transcripts and test scores should be mailed directly to the University from the issuing institution. Notarised Transcripts will not be accepted by the university

Official documents should be mailed to the following address

Saint Mary’s University

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)

923 Robie Street

Atrium Building, Suite 210

Halifax, NS, Canada

n case of any issues regarding application, students can refer to the program co-ordinator for each program who will answer all academic related questions.

Gradute Department at St. mary’s University offers up to 5 PhD programs, 22 Masters programs and 1 Graduate diploma. Candidates applying to graduate programs at St. Marys University can avail funding to support his or her education if required. These funding are offered by various sources such as Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) Graduate Fellowships, FGSR Graduate Awards, Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships. 

Once an admission decision has been made, the candidates will be notifed through Email by the Office of Graduate Admission. The Email will contain further information regarding further steps for admission.