Acadia University, Canada - Ranking, Reviews, Courses, Tuition Fees

Overview

About Acadia University

Established in 1838, Acadia University is among the oldest and most widely respected liberal arts universities in Canada. Acadia’s curriculum, combined with a sense of belonging, lays a firm foundation in which students’ academic and professional aspirations can grow.

The university is home to over 3,500 students, representing more than 60 nationalities on campus. Students at Acadia University benefit from exposure to excellent academic programs, collaborative learning experiences curated by award-winning professors, and a specially designed curriculum that encourages personal development. Other advantages of studying at Acadia include small class sizes, a top-rated co-operative education program, opportunities to participate in research, and personalized attention from professors.

At Acadia, students become part of a scholarly community that helps them access real-world opportunities to work and interact with experienced faculty. Various co-curricular and campus life programs also play a part in enhancing students’ learning opportunities and developing teamwork and leadership skills.

Acadia University is located at the heart of Wolfville, in the scenic Annapolis Valley and overlooking the Bay of Fundy. The university is just a one-hour drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia, thus letting students experience life in a small, safe town while still being fairly close to the attractions and conveniences of a big city.

Graduate outcomes

Acadia University provides its students with extensive careers support, assisting both students and alumni every step of the way to achieve their professional goals.

The university has links with a number of local and national employers, working hard to connect its students with relevant competitive job opportunities.

Through the university’s dedicated careers services, students and alumni can attend careers events and workshops or make an appointment with a careers coach, as well as receive assistance with:

Finding jobs
Job applications, resumés and cover letters
Interview practice
Skills development

Alumni connections

Upon graduation, students automatically become a part of Acadia University’s extensive community of over 40,000 alumni, spread across 60 countries. This network includes notable professionals in a number of academic and business sectors and gives students fantastic industry networking opportunities through its continuous provision of resources, annual events and activities.

Staying in Canada

In order to legally live and work in Canada after graduation, international students must apply for a post-graduation work permit.

What's new

Nursing programs

In September 2023, Acadia University received significant government investment, enabling it to offer a brand new BS Nursing program. This degree course is delivered on-site at the Wolfville campus by partner institution Cape Breton University.

Musculoskeletal research funding

In November 2023, the university signed a collaboration agreement with the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation, committing to the development of research and funding opportunities relating to musculoskeletal conditions.

Scholars program

In 2023, the university opened its Evans Teaching and Learning Scholars program, designed to enhance innovation in teaching and learning and to support trail-blazing faculty research.

Olympic curling

Evidencing its exceptional sporting facilities, Acadia University has been selected to host the Canadian Curling Olympic Pre-Trials in October 2025.

Finances

How much will it cost?

Average tuition fees per year

13,74,899 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

Living costs

7,51,956 Living costs

4,14,216 To live on campus

Scholarships & funding

Acadia University provides its students with a wide range of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to assist with the cost of studying.

Eligible students will be considered for financial aid automatically through their application, based on academic achievements and financial need. However, for more specialized scholarships, students will need to apply directly.

Acadia University currently offers its students eight specialized scholarship options. These scholarships may be received be in the form of a one-off payment or as annual installments, and range in value from a one-off payment of CAD 500 to CAD 60,000 paid over the course of four years.

The university also offers four high-value, renewable scholarships to full-time students who continually exhibit academic excellence. These range in value from CAD 24,000 to CAD 40,000 per year.

Students are advised to carefully check the eligibility requirements for all scholarships and ensure that their scholarship application is submitted in advance of the deadline.

Eligibility

Entry requirements

Students must meet general entry requirements to enrol on a study program at Acadia University. These may vary between courses, so students are advised to check the requirements for their chosen degree prior to application.

In general, to enrol on an undergraduate degree program, Acadia University requires students to have achieved one of the following (or an equivalent qualification):

Two A-Levels at grade C or above
IB Diploma (including IB English) with a minimum overall score of 24 points
Minimum overall grade average of B (US students)

For its graduate programs, Acadia University requires its students to have one of the following (or an equivalent qualification):

2^nd class honours degree
2.57/4.0 GPA
70 percent in the courses taken in the major field in a student’s last two undergraduate years

International students may be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. Undergraduate students at Acadia University must have attained an IELTS score of 6.5, with no band score lower than 6.0 (or an equivalent qualification).

For students who need to improve their English prior to commencing a degree, the university offers its own English for academic purposes course.

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

Acadia University is renowned across Canada for its expertise in teaching the liberal arts. Students can enrol on over 200 combination degrees, with a huge range of options for both majors and minors at undergraduate level.

The university prides itself in exceptional teaching, which puts students at the heart of the curriculum. It employs an innovative faculty with significant expertise in their field, including award-winning teachers. Learners gain a deep understanding and unique perspective of their studies through professors’ profound levels of knowledge and personal industry insights.

Students are taught through traditional lectures, seminars and tutorials as well as group work, individual research projects and laboratory and studio work where applicable. Class sizes at Acadia University are small, averaging at around 31 students. As a result, learners are able to immerse themselves in their studies and receive a personalised learning experience.

Personal development is strongly encouraged at every level and in every way, and the university confidently directs students towards community engagement, work placements and research opportunities both as a part of degree programs and as extra-curricular activities.

Department structure

Faculties

Acadia University is split across four faculties:

Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
Faculty of Professional Studies
Faculty of Theology

Within these faculties, students can enrol on over 35 undergraduate degree programs, resulting in the opportunity to study over 200 degree combinations.

The university also offers 19 graduate degree programs.

Research

Acadia University boasts eighteen world-class research facilities across its 250-acre campus. Here, students are able to complete their research with state-of-the-art equipment and resources in a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting.

Through the university’s close industry and community connections and partnerships, students are able to work closely with experts in their field, resulting in meaningful contributions to global research.