Choose Nova Scotia
Canada's Education Province!

Located on Canada's scenic Atlantic coast, Nova Scotia is one of North America's premiere seacoast destinations. It is a recreational paradise that sparkles with academic innovation and tradition. The high standard of education and the quality and pace of life make Nova Scotia a popular student destination.

Known for the excellence of its academic institutions, Nova Scotia has much to offer international students. The climate is moderate, the streets are safe and clean, and the people are friendly. In fact, the official welcome is 'One hundred thousand welcomes!' Recreational opportunities abound, and the choices for quality programming are plentiful. Nova Scotia, with more post-secondary institutions per capita than any other province in Canada, is known as Canada's Education Province, and offers a wide range of programs and degrees that are recognized worldwide. Graduates from Nova Scotia universities and colleges continue their studies both at Nova Scotia institutions and at the most prestigious graduate and professional schools in the world. Our graduates become leaders in industry, government, fine arts, technology and the professions.

Life in Nova Scotia
The United Nations has declared Canada to be the best place to live, and many Canadians think Nova Scotia is the best part of Canada! Bound by the sea, Nova Scotia is blessed with more than 7,400kms of coastline and an amazing variety of landscapes - from the white sand beaches of the South Shore to the highlands of Cape Breton. No matter where you are in Nova Scotia, you are never more than 35kms from the coast.

This proximity to the Atlantic Ocean has shaped the cultural tradition of the province, and many of the recreational activities are enjoyed outdoors, such as sailing, fishing, whale-watching, skating, hockey, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, bird-watching, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and tobogganing. The province is steeped in history; cultural enrichment, in the form of art galleries, museums, music and festivals is promoted throughout the province. However, Internet usage is higher in Nova Scotia than in any other part of Canada.

The population of the province is nearly one million people. The capital city, Halifax, has a population of about 300,000 and has been voted as one of Canada's 'smart cities'. It has an international airport with direct flights from Europe, the Caribbean, and the US.

Education in Nova Scotia
Deeply rooted in history and academic tradition, Nova Scotia's universities and colleges are located throughout the province, and are linked by air, water and ground transportation. Students come from across Canada, the United States, and around the world to study in Nova Scotia, in its safe and caring learning environment. All universities are government-funded and fully accredited. Our institutions offer bachelors, masters and doctoral programs that feature world-renowned faculty, well-equipped libraries and laboratories, innovative and unique programs, and small professor-student ratios. You are not just a number at a Nova Scotia institution! Compared to larger centres, classrooms are small, and students get the support they need from supportive faculty and administrators.

Nova Scotia is home to both some of Canada's newest institutions and some of the oldest. Some are located in rural settings, while others are in a bustling urban core. Some are primarily undergraduate institutions, and some are world-renowned research facilities offering a full range of professional and post-graduate programs. Ivy-covered or ultra-modern, each campus in Nova Scotia is distinctive, and each offers a multitude of excellence choices and services.

Nova Scotia colleges and universities offer a range of support services for international students. This includes pre-arrival information kits, airport pickup, orientation programs, peer support and host-family support services, academic advising, counselling and cultural and recreational programming.

Language of Instruction
English is the medium of instruction at all Nova Scotia universities except one, where French is spoken exclusively. Minimum English Language standards of proficiency are required for admission to degree programs in Nova Scotia, and most institutions rely on standardized English tests to determine language competency, although some institutions offer formal English as a Second Language training and support. Most universities and colleges offer English Support Services as standard to students from overseas.

Cost
This is great news for international students! While the quality is high, the cost of a post-secondary education in Nova Scotia is relatively low. The total cost for an international student to study at one of our universities is in the range of $16,000 (about $12,000 US) per academic year - that includes tuition, accommodations and food, health insurance and spending money. In addition, international students are eligible for scholarship awards at Nova Scotia universities and colleges. Many programs are offered with a co-op option, where students spend part of their scheduled curriculum working for a local business, sometimes earning attractive salaries. International students are also eligible to take part-time jobs on campus.

To be considered for scholarships and on-campus housing, students should generally apply by January/February for admission the following September. Health insurance is required to register, and is available on most campuses.

International students will also require a student authorization from a Canadian Embassy or Consulate. This can be obtained upon presentation of a letter of admission to a university/college, proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your studies, and a valid passport and visa (visa not required for US students). SAT scores and essays are sometimes required of US students.

More Information
Our website, www.internationalednet.ns.ca, provides more information and direct links to all the institutions, their programs and contact information.

To obtain more information and a free brochure profiling all the universities and colleges in Nova Scotia, please contact:

Marketing Officer
Nova Scotia Department of Education
PO Box 578
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3J 2S9

Author
Susan Lundquist
Marketing Coordinator
Department of Education